Murray State football secured the first win of the Coach Jody Wright era in a big way, defeating Mississippi Valley State 59-8 on Saturday night at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers got the scoring started when Jayden Johanssen connected with former Racer basketball player Justice Hill for a 36 yard touchdown pass with 13:52 remaining in the first quarter. MSU would add to the lead quickly as Tyson Meiguez scooped and scored a Delta Devil fumble just over two minutes later to give the Racers a 14-0 lead in less than four minutes played. Johannsen completed the first quarter scoring with a five-yard scamper for his 100th collegiate touchdown. 

Jawaun Northington scored his second touchdown of the season to help grow the lead in the second quarter before James London centered a career-best 54 yard field goal to give MSU a 31-0 lead. 

Kywon Morgan got the second half scoring started on a massive 45 yard touchdown run, breaking several MVSU tackles en route to the end zone. The second half proved to be a half of career first scores as Kade Neely caught his first collegiate touchdown, Jameson Holcomb and Marcus Floyd Jr. connected for their first career touchdowns, and Kevin Emmanuel would rush for his first touchdown as a Racer to cap of the scoring.

Game Notes

• Head Coach Jody Wright collected his first win as a Head Coach
• The 59 points scored are the most for the Racers in a game since 2019 vs. Morehead State
• Tyson Meiguez gathered the first fumble recovery for a touchdown by a Racer since 2018 vs. UT Martin
• James London now holds three of the 20 longest kicks in Murray State history, two this season over 50 yards
• The Racers defense picked up five sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss
• It is the most sacks since 2022 vs. Tennessee State and the most tackles-for-loss since 2019 vs. Pikeville
• Jayden Johannsen scored his 100th collegiate touchdown
• Justice Hill, Kade Neely, Jameson Holcomb, Marcus Floyd Jr., and Kevin Emmanuel all scored their first collegiate Touchdowns
• James Camden led the team with 12 tackles and an impressive three pass break-ups
• Kevon Haigler had a strip sack and fumble recovery, his second fumble recovery of the season (one vs. Missouri)
• Jordan Sonnabend picked up his first career interception
• Camden and Meiguez lead the defense with 24 and 23 tackles, respectively
• Kavan Reed, Kanyon Walker, Kywon Morgan, and Jawaun Northington served as the game captains

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