Eastern faced off against Murray State on Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium. The Racers scored at the end of the game to narrow their deficit to three points, but the Panthers recovered Murray State’s on-side kick to preserve their victory.

Eastern’s victory was not just on the scoreboard. They walked away from Saturday afternoon’s game with the edge in the position breakdown as well.

Quarterback

Eastern’s Bodie Reeder finished the day 21-of-29 for 203 yards and one touchdown, and for the first time in Reeder’s tenure as starting quarterback for the Panthers most, if not all of those completions, yards and touchdown went to Micah Rucker. Reeder utilized his biggest offensive threat and, in doing so, helped lead Eastern to victory. Murray State quarterback Jeff Erhardt finished 23-of-37 for 192 yards and one touchdown, but was only able to click through the air late in the game on the Racers’ last drive. By then, it was a bit too little, too late.

Edge: Eastern

Running Back

Ademola Adeniji broke his own career single-season rushing record with 197 yards on 35 carries against the Racers. Adeniji’s previous high of 186 yards was set last week against Eastern Kentucky. Adeniji received the bulk of the carries for Eastern and found the end zone three times. Murray State’s Charlie Jordan recorded the first 100-yard rushing performance for the Racers since Sept. 16, 2006, when Jordan and teammate Chad Cook combined for 334 yards on the ground against Indiana State. Both players eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Jordan’s 20 carries for 127 yards against the Panthers included two touchdown runs.

Edge: Eastern

Wide Receiver

Rucker had been a non-factor for the Panthers in his last two games, recording only five receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. Against the Racers, Rucker had 11 receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown – including a one-handed grab in the back of the end zone around a Murray State defender. Murray State’s lone receiving touchdown went to Rod Harper whose streak of three-straight 100-yard receiving games was halted. Harper finished the game with five catches for 69 yards and the score.

Edge: Eastern

Offensive Line

Eastern had the size advantage on the offensive line. The Panthers starting line averages just over 315 pounds while the Racers defensive front averages just less than 250 pounds. Eastern’s offensive line was able to open up inside running lanes for Adeniji, and the big, bruising back took care of the rest. The Racers’ offensive line did a good job run blocking, but Eastern’s defensive line was able to penetrate the backfield and get pressure on Erhardt.

Edge: Eastern

Defensive Line

Eastern’s defensive line was able to get pressure on Erhardt throughout the game, forcing him out of the pocket on several pass attempts. Tim Kelly and Trevor Frericks also recorded two of Eastern’s three sacks, both of which were for big losses. Kelly and Frericks were two of the Panthers’ top tacklers. Eastern’s Jeff Sobol and Pierre Walters recorded tackles for loss as well. No Racers’ defensive lineman made much of an impact on the game.

Edge: Eastern

Linebacker

Eastern’s top linebacker on the season, Donald Thomas, did not play in the second half after injuring his ankle in the first half. The Panthers’ other linebackers stepped up to fill the gap left with Thomas out of the game. Matt Westrick was second on the team in tackles, and Thomas’ backup, Alain Marcelin, had four solo tackles playing about half the game. Murray State linebackers Zach Kutch, Tamar Butler and Wade Peters combined for 20 tackles including two and a half tackles for loss.

Edge: Draw

Secondary

Muray State’s top two tacklers were safety Josh Marshall and corner back Derrick Parrott with 12 tackles apiece. Although Parrott forced and recovered a fumble, these Racers’ defensive backs were forced to make too many tackles as Eastern’s running backs and receivers got past initial defenders. Eastern rover Ke’Andre Sams recorded his first interception on the season, and the Panthers’ secondary was able to keep the Racers’ passing offense in check most of the game.

Edge: Eastern

Special Teams

Eastern punt returner Alicus Nozinor had two fumbles on punt returns against the Racers. Both times, Nozinor did not call for a fair catch and was hit immediately after he caught the ball. For the season, Nozinor has minus two yards on eight punt returns. The Racers had several good returns from Harper and Antoine Lightfoot, and kicker Tyler Weiss was one-of-one on field goal attempts. Eastern’s Zach Yates missed an extra point attempt and Tyler Wilke missed a field goal attempt.

Edge: Murray State

Coach

Murray State coach Matt Griffin has a young team to manage with only 12 juniors and seniors, 22 sophomores and 49 red-shirt or true freshmen. Nevertheless, the Racers came out spirited and ready for a victory. However, Eastern established its running game early and then opened up its passing game for a double-pronged offensive attack that led to the Panthers’ victory.

Edge: Eastern