MURRAY, Ky. – Micah Rucker wasn’t supposed to make the catch.

The pass wasn’t far enough away from Murray State defensive back Derrick Parrott. An incompletion, or a possible interception, was bound to happen on 2nd-and-goal with Eastern on Murray State’s 2-yard line midway through the first quarter.

Parrott was face-guarding Rucker, with his back to Eastern quarterback Bodie Reeder’s pass and his right hand up and obstructing Rucker’s view of the play.

But the fade pass into the back of the end zone was just far enough out of Parrott’s reach for Rucker to make a highlight-reel play.

Rucker stuck out his left hand, grasped the ball with his fingertips and brought it into his chest for Eastern’s first touchdown during the Panthers 27-24 win on Saturday at Murray State.

“We usually want the ball a little further outside,” Rucker said. “The ball was kind of inside, and I kind of had to press against him. I actually thought I was out of bounds. God blessed me and I caught it and got my feet in somehow.”

That catch was the start of superb day by Rucker. The senior finished with a career-high 11 catches for 153 yards, his first 100-yard receiving game since Eastern’s season opener against Tennessee Tech.

“He made some tough catches, too,” said Eastern head coach Bob Spoo. “Big-time catches. He needs to do that all the time.”

A more concerted effort to get Rucker the ball was evident.

Reeder hit Rucker on play-action passes, curl routes and slant routes. Rucker’s longest reception of the game, a 44-yard pass, came out of a formation the Panthers haven’t used all season.

On the play, Rucker lined up in the backfield in an I-formation and went in motion to the left. Rucker never broke stride down the left side of the field, and caught Reeder’s pass at Murray State’s 10 and was brought down at the 5.

“Sometimes you’ve got to throw it up to the highest point and let the big guy go get it,” Reeder said. “He makes me look awfully good. Anybody can throw those balls up to a 6-6 guy who can jump out of this universe.”

But it wasn’t until the second half where Rucker’s effect on the game started to take place. He had seven receptions for 76 yards after halftime and although none were touchdowns, he made big receptions on two 3rd-and-long plays.

The first came on 3rd-and-7 with midway through the third quarter. Rucker ran an out route to the sidelines, and Reeder hit him for an eight-yard gain. The Panthers didn’t end up scoring on that drive.

But Rucker’s next third-down reception enabled Eastern to keep its drive alive, which eventually ended with Ademola Adeniji’s 10-yard touchdown run to put Eastern up 20-10.

On 3rd-and-8, with the Panthers at their own 46, Reeder hit Rucker for a 16-yard completion on a post corner route. On the play, Rucker went 10 yards downfield before breaking left. He used his height to his advantage, leaping to haul in the catch against the 5-10 Parrott.

“Our corner (back) is in position,” Murray State head coach Matt Griffin said. “We’ve got the thing covered. For a guy that size, that’s the best body control I’ve seen on a football field in a long time.”

Parrott said the Racers decided during the game to just play man-to-man coverage on Rucker and hope to contain him.

“We could have done a better job against him,” he said.

In Rucker’s previous three games heading into Murray State, he had 10 catches for 159 yards.

Rucker said the ability to mix in the pass and rush effectively helps the Panthers’ offense. He said in previous games this season, opposing defenses were calling out Eastern’s plays before the snap or forcing the Panthers to be one-dimensional.

It was also the first time all year Rucker had more than 100 yards since Reeder, who finished 21-of-29 for 203 yards against Murray, took over the quarterback duties in the Panthers fourth game.

“Bodie is just throwing it up there like I’ve been telling him since day one,” Rucker said. “Bodie is getting better every week. I think at first he was kind of just playing, and now he’s actually going outside of playing. He’s giving me an opportunity, and that’s where I’m at my best, when the ball is up in the air and I can make a play on it.”

–NCAA leaders in total receiving yards

–NCAA leaders in receiving yards per game

–NCAA leaders in receptions per game

Micha Rucker, senior wide receiver, celebrates with Ademola Adeniji’s touchdown Saturday afternoon at Roy Stewart Stadium. Rucker finished with 11 catches for 153 yards in Eastern’s 27-24 win at Murray.

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