Murray State Racers
Overall Rank: #17
#2 Ohio Valley
Murray State Team Page
2010 Record: (6-5, 5-3)
2010 Postseason: none
Coach: Chris Hatcher (6-5 at Murray State, 100-32 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Mike Harris, RB, 904 yards
Passing: Casey Brockman, QB, 2,442
Receiving: Arthur Brackett, WR, 617 yards
Tackles: Brandon Wicks, LB, 73
Sacks: Joe Gamsky, DT, 3.5
Interceptions: Nathan Brinkley, S, 3
Murray State finally garnered a winning season in 2010 by squeaking out a 6-5 record. It was their first winning season since 2004. Coach Chris Hatcher took a very young team and made the offense a dynamic scoring machine and helped the defense do just enough to win games. The 2010 campaign was not the culmination of a rebuilding job though. This team returns a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and is only getting better with time.
Strengths:
The offense ranked fifth in the nation, averaging 449.73 yards and 36.09 points per game. The fact that just about everybody is back should have the rest of the Ohio Valley Conference very worried. It all starts with junior quarterback Casey Brockman. Last season he threw for 2,442 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for seven more scores. His decision making and poise were very impressive for an underclassman and he is only going to get better. Wide receiver Marcus Harris is one of the few losses on offense, but there are plenty of other options. Arthur Brackett is ready to emerge as a big time receiver after catching 62 passes for 617 yards as a freshman. Dexter Barnett is the other experienced wideout, but there are a slew of other players battling who will fight for catches. Sophomore Walter Powell is one to keep an eye on. The running game is in great hands. Senior Mike Harris rushed for 904 yards and ten touchdowns a year ago despite missing a couple games. Duane Brady showed plenty of promise as a freshman and junior college transfer Tyler Lavea will give this group more options than they are used to having. The entire offensive line returns intact led by tackles Raymond Hopson and Roderick Tomlin. It is hard enough to sack Brockman as it is, but it will be even more difficult with a young line growing up together.
Weaknesses:
The defense had some pretty unimpressive numbers last season and the improvement of this now experienced unit will be the difference between another winning season and a playoff berth. The senior duo of Joe Gamsky and Ryan Walker will anchor the front line. Jamal Crook will return to an end spot, but Arlester McKinnon will likely miss the season after being involved in a serious car accident. Richard Biers is a quick, experienced senior who should have little trouble stepping into a starting role and there is enough depth to help out. Things get a little more interesting at linebacker. Brandon Wicks and Andre Clarke are both returning starters, but there may not be room for both of them in the starting lineup this year. Junior college transfer Sam Small is a great pickup for the Racers and should be starting right away. Murray State also has an emerging sophomore in Blake Salter who could step into the middle linebacker spot. The secondary returns everybody, but there is some shuffling around to be done. Junior college transfers Victor Daniels and Darius Buck will look to make an immediate impact. At the least, they will add some experienced depth. Dontrell Johnson, who is also a superb return man, figures to line up opposite of Daniels on the corner, but rising sophomores Darrian Skinner and Raquan Durrante are not going down without a fight. Nathan Brinkley played corner last year, but will move to a safety spot and join up with Erik Fennell.
The Bottom Line:
There is absolutely no reason for this defense to be much, much better than they were in 2010. The players were not bad last year, they were just inexperienced. They are not anymore. With an influx of junior college talent to fill some gaps, Coach Hatcher has a great looking group on defense. The offense will again be dynamic and difficult for just about any defense to stop. If the opposition attempts to fall back to stop the deep pass, Harris will run all over them or Brockman will throw a short pass and let his receivers do the work. If the opposing defense crowds the box to contain Harris and Brockman on the ground, Murray State will air it out.
Projected Postseason: none
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 136.18 (70th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 313.55 (4, 1)
Total Offense: 449.73 (5, 1)
Scoring Offense: 36.09 (5, 1)
Rushing Defense: 190.64 (98, 6)
Pass Defense: 208.00 (66, 7)
Total Defense: 398.64 (100, 7)
Scoring Defense: 30.36 (90, 7)
Turnover Margin: .27 (41, 3)
Sacks: 1.82 (57, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.45 (32, 5)
