Murray State rolls past NAIA rival Pikeville, 59-20
MURRAY, Ky. -- Preston Rice threw two first-half touchdown passes, Jared McCray and Rodney Castille each ran for two more scores and Quinaz Turner returned a first-quarter kickoff 95 yards for a score as Murray State routed in-state, NAIA-rival Pikeville, 59-20 in a season-opener Thursday night.
Pikeville took the opening kick and drove 50 yards in eight plays and Zaniel Phillips connected on a 42-yard field goal to put the Bears up, 3-0, but the Racers took the lead for good on the ensuing kickoff.
Two minutes later Rice found Brion Sanchious from nine-yards out and Gabriel Vicente kicked a 44-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first quarter to put Murray State up, 17-3. McCray scored from the 3 and Jacob Bell pulled in a 38-yard pass from Rice for a 31-3 lead minutes into the second quarter.
Bowen Smith ran in from the 4 and threw a 48-yard strike to Damian Sutton to bring Pikeville back to trail 31-17 at the half.
Castille had two short touchdown runs in the second half and McCray added a 25-yard dash.
Murray State threw for 216 yards and rushed for another 249. Pikeville managed 199 yards through the air but was held to just 46 yards rushing.
College Football News
![]()
Legendary Texas Longhorns FB Steve Worster, inspiration for wishbone offense, dies at 73
Steve Worster, a bruising fullback who was the inspiration for the creation of the wishbone offense at Texas, died on Saturday at 73.
![]()
Florida Gators cap big recruiting weekend with LB Myles Graham
Linebacker Myles Graham, No. 58 in the Junior 300, from Woodward Academy in Atlanta, became the latest player to commit to Florida on Sunday.
![]()
Kayleb Wagner broke Derrick Henry's rushing record. Can he get an FBS scholarship?
The Florida high school senior broke Derrick Henry's state rushing record last year. But he's still waiting for interest from top colleges.
![]()
Why Bill Clark is walking away from the UAB football program he helped revive
When UAB shut down football, Bill Clark stuck around to rebuild and revitalize the program, overseeing one of the most impressive turnaround jobs in the sport. Then a back injury forced an abrupt retirement this summer.
![]()
The incredible story of Kayleb Wagner
Kayleb Wagner may not have all his limbs, but he does not let that stop him from making big plays happen on the football field.
![]()
Oklahoma gains 12th ESPN 300 commit for 2023 class in No. 43 recruit Jacobe Johnson
Oklahoma got a commitment from ESPN 300 prospect Jacobe Johnson on Saturday, giving the Sooners 12 ESPN 300 commitments in the 2023 class.
Division II/III Standings
| TEAM | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| TEAM | CONF | OVR |
2022 Ohio Valley Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Illinois | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Lindenwood | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Murray State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Tennessee State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Tennessee Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| UT Martin | 0-0 | 0-0 |