This week’s match up between Tennessee Tech and Murray State will feature two teams that have had similar starts to their season.
Tech, twill be looking for its first win since the season opener against Kentucky Christian Aug. 28.
The Golden Eagles have lost three consecutive contests, including their Ohio Valley Conference opener against rival Tennessee State. This will be the second OVC game for the team and the first time they have been at home in over a month.
For the Murray State Racers, they also won their season opener at home against Union (KY). However, recent weeks have been rough Murray State. Following their home opener, they traveled the next two games facing Football Bowl Subdivision teams Louisville and Western Michigan. They ended the stretch with an OVC matchup against Jacksonville State in Murray, KY The Racers lost all three games and were outscored 163-63 during the stretch.
Tech believes they can take advantage of the Racer’s tendency to give up a lot of points.
“I feel like we can really thrive this week,” said junior running back Radir Annoor. “I feel like this week, we could really rebound and get our offense back on track.”
The Golden Eagle’s offense has struggled since the season opener. The offense has only scored seven points in the last three games and is averaging under 200 yards a game.
“We had a rough stretch with three tough defenses. They were all ranked teams,” said Annoor.
Tech’s defense will have the unique task of containing a Murray State offense that utilizes two quarterbacks in their offensive scheme. Redshirt sophomore KD Humphries is the most mobile option for the Racers so he gets more playing time.
“ I definitely think that we have to respect their quarterback,” said Tech junior linebacker Jay Rudwall. “ He is a bigger guy who can run pretty well. We have seen him throw the deep ball fairly well and his wide receivers go up and get it as well.”
Despite their struggles, the Golden Eagles have made their presence felt in their opponent’s backfield with 35 tackles for loss eight sacks and two quarterback hurries so far this season.
“I think that our defense is evolving into a pressure defense,” said Rudwall. “I think we need to execute the pressures that we are going to implement this week versus their offense in order to get their quarterback.”
The Golden Eagles and the Racers will renew their rivalry Oct. 4 at Tucker Stadium. This will be the 80th meeting between the two schools. Tech has an advantage in the series at 42-36-1.
