Murray State improved to 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play with a 48-41 win at Eastern Illinois Saturday night at O’Brien Field in Charleston. The Racers set a new modern-era single-game rushing record with 449 yards, besting the previous mark of 418 against Tennessee State in 2000.
The win moves the Racers to 2-0 in the OVC, marking their first 2-0 league start since 2013.
For the first time since 2006, the Racers had two 100-plus yard rushers with D.J. Penick rushing for 180 yards, while Rodney Castille added 142. The last time the feat occurred was in 2006 when Chad Cook rushed for 223 yards and Charlie Jordan rushed for 111 against Indiana State. The 180 yards on the ground by Penick was the most by a Racers since Mike Harris rushed for 206 against Eastern Kentucky in 2011.
Eastern Illinois finished the night with 643 yards of total offense, just 15 yards behind the Racers’ 658, as the two teams combined for 1301 yards.
Former Hopkinsville Tiger Don Parker had four tackles from his defensive back position.
Murray State (2-3, 2-0) will host Tennessee State Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium.
(STORY FROM MURRAY STATE ATHLETICS)