The Jackrabbits (6-o, 2-0) head east for their final long road trip of the regular season to face the Murray State Racers (0-6, 0-2).  The Jacks defeated the Racers last season in Brookings 52-6 but both teams experienced massive roster turnover.  Murray State has struggled to get much going this season but they did play FBS Georgia State tough and put up 24 points against USD two weeks ago and 32 points last week against Illinois State.  Our JI team really likes Jody Wright and we believe he is a good coach, just in a tough situation.  This would be a massive win for the Racers as he looks to get ANY type of positive momentum for the program.

Offense

The Racer offense is probably more talented then the UNI offense the Jackrabbits just beat.  They are scoring 21.33 points per game via 216 yards per game passing and 108.3 yards per game passing.  They only convert on 31.7% of their 3rd down opportunities but are 9/16 on 4th down conversions.  They’ve tossed 7 interceptions and lost 2 interceptions.  They have surrendered 12 sacks so there could be an opportunity.  They haven’t reached the redzone often but have scored on 15 of their 17 attempts with 12 being of the touchdown variety.

The offense is led by #4 Jim Ogle (6-2, 185) who transferred in from UL-Monroe.  He was a prep star in Alabama and has had a good first year as a redshirt freshman.  He’s completing 61% of his passes for 1,214 yards, 5 TDs to 7 INTs.  Again, he isn’t a true dual threat but he is mobile enough to escape and elude some pressure as he’s rushed for 85 gross yards and 2 TDs.    Against Illinois State last week he passed for 283 yards and rushed for another 39 while scoring 3 total TDs.  I’m excited to see how looks against this Jackrabbit defense.

The Racers run game has struggled to really get moving this season but #30 Jawaun Northington (5-9, 217) is a powerful young man.  He has rushed for 304 yards (3.7 ypc) and 3 TDs.  He isn’t much of a threat in the pass game as he has just 1 reception for 5 yards.  #28 Jordan Washington (6-1, 215) is a redshirt freshman and has rushed for 184 yards (3.8 ypc) and 2 TDs this season.  He is more of a threat in the pass game as he has 10 receptions for 75 yards.  #33 Tyrell Campbell (5-10, 200) is another redshirt freshman that has performed well in limited carries as he has a 4.8 ypc average on just 16 carries and 1 TD.

Murray State has two really talented wide receivers in #3 Darius Cannon (5-10, 180) and #12 Lucas Desjardins (6-4, 200).  Cannon leads the team with 43 receptions for 367 yards (8.5 ypc) and 1 TD.  It is clear that the Racers are trying to spam him with the ball, hoping that he is able to break one off.  Desjardins transferred in from Tulane and has racked up 349 yards (12.03 ypc) and 1 TD.  He’s a big bodied possession type receiver.   Behind these two are #2 JK Carter (5-10, 166), #1 Cam Bulluck (6-4, 190), and #8 Jalen Richmond (6-0, 190).  This trio has combined for 23 receptions for 339 yards and 2 TDs.   The tight ends are true freshman #85 Brooks Kleinpeter (6-3, 240) and redshirt freshman #81 Ty Brown and they have combined for 10 receptions for 76 yards and 1 TD.

The offensive line is pretty big and and appears to have some decent experience.  They have allowed 12 sacks and are only plowing the way for 108.3 ypg on the ground.  From left to right their starters are:

LT: #71 Cameron Stancil (6-4, 300, RJr)- Played in 17 games at Northeast Mississippi Junior College the previous two seasons.
LG: #65 Devin Tingle (6-3, 297, RJr)- Appeared in 7 games in 2024 but this is his first year starting.
C: #62 Will Pieroni (6-1, 295, RSr)- Appeared in 4 games prior to this from MSU.  Has had stops at Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and Fullerton College previously.
RG: #54 Cannon McCulley (6-3, 315, RSr)- Transferred in from Mississippi College where he was a two year starter.
RT: #75 Rod Boller (6-3, 305, Gr)- Had appeared in 15 games for the Racers over the past two years.

Defense

The Racer defense has really struggled so far in 2025.  They are allowing 44.5 points per game and they only time their opponent didn’t score more than 40 points was against Georgia State, who is currently 1-5 and averages just 18 ppg.  They allow 283.5 ypg (6.3 ypc) on the ground and 235.67 ypg through the air.  Opponents own the time of possession at 32 minutes per game.  They have recovered 4 fumbles, intercepted 4 passes and have just 4 sacks.  Opponents are converting on 58% of their 3rd down opportunities and in the redzone they have scored 31 of 33 times with 26 being touchdowns.  The racers play a 4-2-5 defense with plenty of athleticism on the backend.

Size certainly isn’t an issue for their defensive line as their two deep at defensive tackles shows everyone at 290 pounds or higher.  The most productive is true freshman #98 Michael Tilmon (6-4, 295) who has 9 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and a blocked kick.   The starters however are #91 Jerome Logan (6-2, 300, RJr) and #90 Cameron Daniels (6-3, 290, Fr) have combined for 7 total tackles and 1 PBU and QBH.  #42 Jaquan Redfern (6-3, 290, RSo) has 4 tackles, a sack, QBH, and a forced fumble.  At defensive end College of Idaho transfer #0 Kobe Roberts (6-2, 255, Gr) has 21 total tackles and a QBH. Opposite him is #40 Jayden Walker (6-2, 260, Jr) and he has 13 total tackles and a half sack.  Walker transferred in from Itawamba CC where he had 6.5 sacks last season.  The primary backup at end is #41 Tyrece Edwards (6-2, 274, GR) who transferred in after 3 seasons at Middle Tennessee.  He has 8 tackles and a TFL on the season.

The linebacker duo is true freshman #45 Klayton Ingram (6-0, 230) and redshirt sophomore #23 Keyann Abdul-Raim (6-0, 220).  Ingram is 3rd on the team in tackles with 35.  Abdul-Raim has 24 total tackles and 3 TFL.  Reserves #34 Spencer Conn (5-11, 225) and #5 Conlee Crossno (6-1, 205) are young (FR and RFR) but productive.  Crossno is second on the team with 36 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and a QBH.  Conn has has 32 total tackles, 2 TFL, and 1 PBU.  Overall this is a really young group and I’m interested to see how they perform.

The Racers leading tackler is strong safety #9 Dylan Rosey (6-1, 195) and he has 79 total tackles and 1 TFL after transferring in from Itawamba CC.  His partner is #8 Brooks Esplin (5-11, 185) and he has 23 total tackles, 1 INT and 1 PBU after transferring in from Snow College where he was one of the top JUCO safeties in the country.  Butler transfer #6 Shadon Shannon (6-2, 195) is the top backup and he has 15 tackles this year.

The most productive cornerback for the Racers is #7 Marion Ponds (6-1, 190) as he has 25 total tackles, 2 INT, and 7 PBUs.  He has had stops and Coffeyville CC and Ball State.  Opposite him is #1 Bryan Pulley (6-0, 190) who has 17 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, and 7 PBUs who transferred in after competing at Lackawanna College.  The nickelback is #13 Trace Ruckman (6-1, 195) and he has 26 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 PBU, and 2 QBHs.  Shadon Shannon also seas time at corner back.  #15 Trelon Slade (6-1, 175) and #24 Steven Jones (6-1, 192) are the top backups and they have combined for 12 tackles.

Special Teams

The Racers do have good special teams especially at punter where #4 Tom O’hara is very talented.  He has a 45 yard average on 28 punts and has boomed 11- 50+ yards while forcing 10 to be fair caught.  He has a long of 62 and has just 2 touchbacks.  From the little bit of Murray State that I have watched, the ball “pops” off his foot.  Due to the distance of his punts, there are opportunities at returns as opponents have a long of 35 yards.  #0 Jack Tannehill handles the kicking duties and he has gone 5 for 7 on field goal opportunities with a long of 43.  On kickoffs he has a 57 yard average on 26 attempts and just 7 touchbacks. Opponents have a 21 yard average including an 80 yard return.

The Racers return game is solid with #3 Darius Cannon handling the punt return duties but he has had limited opportunities with 3 attempts for 33 yards.  The primary kick returner is #8 Jalen Richmond who has an 18.25 yard average on 16 attempts.

Prediction

I think they Jackrabbits will be looking to prove a point as they ramp up for their clash with NDSU.  The season really ramps up in these final 6 weeks as it brings a trio of rivalry games mixed with games against Murray, Illinois State, and Indiana State.  The time is now.  I think the Jacks do get up big early and then give their reserves a chance to make their mark.

Jackrabbits 52- Racers 13

Go Jacks!

Matt