MURRAY, Ky.—It’s time for the rematch.
After ending the nation’s longest FCS losing streak last season in this matchup, Austin Peay State University football team heads into Saturday’s contest at Murray State seeking to bring an end to another streak—the nation’s longest road losing streak, which has reached 34 games. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium.
Austin Peay (0-5, 0-2 Ohio Valley Conference) seeks its first victory since last season’s contest against the Racers. Despite 141 yards on the ground last week from redshirt freshman Kendall Morris, the Governors gave up three touchdowns to Eastern Illinois’ Devin Church in the Panthers 40-16 win at Governors Stadium.
The Governors struggles on third-down—offensively and defensively—against Eastern Illinois were the continuation of a season-long issue. After converting on two of its first three third-down attempts, Austin Peay was 1-of-13 the rest of the way and is now converting at a 27.3 percent (21-of-77) rate on the season. Meanwhile, the Panthers were 8-for-16 on third down—the ninth straight game Austin Peay has allowed its opponent to convert at least half its third-down attempts—and Austin Peay now ranks last in FCS in third-down conversion defense (58.7 percent).
After a season-opening win against Kentucky Wesleyan, Murray State (1-4, 0-2 OVC) has lost its last four contests, including its first two OVC games against Tennessee Tech (31-29, Sept. 26) and Southeast Missouri (27-10, Oct. 3). The Racers can move the ball, ranking fourth nationally in first downs (12) and third in passing offense, with junior quarterback KD Humphries averaging 365.2 yards per game through the air. The Racers total offense mark ranks ninth nationally (480.8 yards per game), but they give as good as they get—opponents are putting up 500.4 yards per game against Murray State’s defense, ranked 111th in the nation.
Murray State trailed Southeast Missouri by three points heading into halftime in last weekend’s contest in Cape Girardeau, but gave up two third-quarter touchdowns and saw three second-half drives inside the Redhawk 30-yard line end with no points.