The SIUC football team received a dose of reality Saturday as Murray State ran over the Salukis 35-3 in the home opener at McAndrew Stadium.

After a 30-27 victory over Southeast Missouri State, Murray State outgained the Dawgs 402 to 182 in total yards to even Southern’s record at 1-1.

Saluki head coach Shawn Watson was unhappy with his squad in every phase of the game.

Advertisement

I was very disappointed in them, he said. I’ve grown to expect a lot more out of this team.

I’m angry and disappointed both in all areas. I saw a football team in Murray State that just manhandled us. Period.

Even though the score indicates a lopsided margin, SIUC hung in with the Racers for the first half, only trailing 7-3. However, it was the last SIUC possession of the second quarter, that turned the game in Murray State’s favor.

After starting the drive on the Racers 49-yard line, the Salukis marched down the field on a mixture of Coe Bonner runs and Reggie Kennedy’s passing.

With 3:28 left in the half and the ball on the Murray State seven-yard line, Kennedy rolled out to his right and tried to hit wide receiver Jermaine Gray in the end zone, but Racers defensive back Renardo Hampton stepped in front of Gray and picked off the pass.

Murray State head coach Houston Nutt said that sequence gave the Racers the edge going into the third quarter.

The Renardo Hampton play at the end of the first half I thought that was the whole key the whole momentum, he said. If they (SIUC) got a seven or three there it’s a different game.

Advertisement*

Senior linebacker Brian Tranchitella agreed that the interception did turn the game.

It was definitely a big play, he said. If we score on that play, Reggie and the offense have a lot of confidence going into the lockerroom and I think it would have given a big boost to the defense.

In the second half the Racers took the ball and drove 77 yards in nine plays all but one on the ground to cement the Murray State victory.

That was the one point we tried to bring home at halftime, Nutt said. That hey, we’re scoring in the third quarter, and we got the ball and executed well.

Saluki safety Darnell Hendricks said Murray State’s opening drive after halftime was a back-breaker.

I had a good feeling at the half, then we came back out and gave up another touchdown, he said. Once we gave that touchdown up, I pretty much felt a slight difference from last week, like we were sliding downhill instead of striving to go uphill.

Murray State out-rushed SIUC 205 to 23 after the Salukis rushed for 261 yards against SEMO the week before.

The Racers consistently put eight and nine men on the line of scrimmage and outmanned SIUC on the line of scrimmage.

It’s impossible to block everyone, when they have nine people in the box, we just can’t account for everyone, Saluki center Brian Mullins said.

The Salukis passing game was not able to relieve any pressure on the running game, as Kennedy and Danny Smith hit on 12 of 28 passes for 159 yards and two interceptions.

While the Salukis couldn’t get the ground game going, the Racers – led by fullback David McCann – ripped through the heart of the Saluki defense, especially in the second half.

They (SIUC defense) were all running out to the sidelines making sure we weren’t going to do anything outside with Derrick Cullors, Nutt said. So, we had to give the ball to the fullback because we had to establish a running game.

Our offensive line deserves a lot of credit in our running game.

Even though Watson was disappointed with the Saluki’s performance, he thinks that this reality check is good for the club.

We needed it, he said. I think it was good for us, real good for us.

I’m glad it came now, before we get into our (conference) season.

The Dawgs will try to rebound next week when SIUC travels to Arkansas State Saturday.