Close battle on the return home as the racers narrowly fail

Murray State football lost 40-32 to Illinois State on Saturday afternoon during MSU's homecoming festivities at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.

Jawaun Northington scored the first score for the Racers with a 48-yard rush and began his big day on the ground. Just before halftime, the Racers cut the Redbirds' lead to 16-14 Elijah Downing scored a 24-yard touchdown after one Justice Cross The interception and 36-yard return provided the foundation for the MSU offense.

Jayden Johannsen And J'Kalon Carter would score the third score of the day with a 6-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Northington would mount his second touchdown rush of the day in just over five minutes, cutting Illinois State's lead to just eight. The Redbirds would score a field goal with less than a minute to play James London would cap the score with a 51-yard field goal in the final seconds of the game.

Game notes

• Jawaun Northington Led the Racers' offense with 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the first 100-yard performance by a Racer this season
• Justice Cross led the Racers' defense with six solo tackles while also throwing the first interception of his career
• James Camden continues to shine, collecting seven more tackles, bringing his total to 51 tackles this season
• James Londons The 51-yard kick is his third 50-yard field goal of the season and the fourth of his career
• 15,991 spectators attended the home game, the fourth largest attendance in Murray State history
• Dennard flowers scored a blocked field goal, the first by a Racer this season
• Jayden Johannsen, Justice Hill, James LondonAnd Amari Wansley acted as game captains

Murray State hosts No. 2 North Dakota State next Saturday (Oct. 26) at Roy Stewart Stadium.

For tickets to Racers home games, visit GoRacers.com/FBTix

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