Murray State University at Richmond (Homecoming)

12:30 p.m. EDT

Location-Murray , KY

Founded-1922

President-Dr. Kern Ale x ander

Enrollment-8 ,900

Colors-Navy and Gold

Conference-Ohio Valley

Nickname-Racers

Athletics Director-E W Dennison

Head Coach-Denver Johnson (Tulsa, 1981)

Coaching Record at MSU-7-4-0/2nd year

Coaching Record Overall-7-4-0/2nd year

Phone (502) 762-6181

Denver Johnson

Assistant Coaches-Linwood Ferguson , Cary Fowler, Coach

Larry McClain , Randall McCray , Mac McDan iel, Eric Wilson

Last Year's Overall Record-7-4 - 0

Last Year' s Conference Record/Finish-5-2-0/2nd

SID-Steve Parker (502) 762 -4271

Home Phone No -(502) 753-5195

SID FAX No -(502) 762-6814

Traine r-Alan Lollar

Stadium/Capacity-Stewart/16 ,800

Press Box Number-(502) 762-6811

Lamar Carter

Defensive End

After consecutive 4-7 seasons , Tennessee State head coach L. C Cole feels his Tiger squad is ready to turn the winning corner in 1998. Entering spring drills, the coaching staff looked to strengthen several areas as the Tigers attempt to halt a string of seven straight losing seasons.

On defense , work was focused on the team becoming more fundamentally sound, w ith better technique shown all-around. Cole wants the '98 squad to become a swarming defense on the line with emphasis on pass rush and pass coverage skills

A strong linebacking corps returns , led by LamarCarterwhogained e ight quarterback sacks 1n six games before breaking his leg. Other starters returning on defense are tackle Eric McCray , end Larry Floyd, linebackers Armand Williams and Brent Sterling and cornerbacks Darrell Hinton and Jarrick Hillery

Offensively , the staff worked to have the team become more focused reduce mistakes and control the ball. The offense has an explosive passing attack which averaged 265 yards per game in 1997.

Senior wide receiver Tyrone Butterfield , who was 1997 co-OVC Offens ive Player of the Year with EKU quarterback Simon Fuentes leads the way after leading the OVC in pass receiving (59 receptions 1053 yards 7 TD's) , kickoff returns (24.76 yards per return) and all-pu~pose yardage (15 4.84ypg ).

Otheroffensive starters back arewideout Corey Sullivan quarterback Leon Murr ay , runningback Calvin Davenport , fullback Arce~tae Broome, guard Shawn Thompson and tackle Bennie Anderson

Eastern leads the series, 11-0-0.

1998SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at Middle Tennessee

Sept. 12 Jackson State (Memphis,

Sept. 19 Open

Sept. 26 Florida A&M (Atlanta , GA)

Oct. 3 ALABAMA A&M

Oct. 1O at Eastern Kentucky

Oct 17 at Southeast Missouri

Oct 24 UT MARTIN

Oct. 31 at Eastern Illinois

Nov 7 at Tennessee Tech

Nov 14 at Murray State

Nov 21 TEXASSOUTHERN

Lettermen LosUReturning-23/42

PROSPECTUS

Chris Vaughn Linebacker

Murray State enters the second yearofthe Denver Johnson era with the hopes of improving on last year's 7-4 season which saw the Racers finish second in the OVC with a 5-2 mark

This year , Johnson and his staff are getting a running start at the football seaso n, compared to last year's whirlwind season. A year ago , Johnson was hired to replace Houston Nutt (now at Arkansas) just days before nationa l signing day and his staff wasn' t completed until two weeks before spring practice.

The 1998 season will find a solid recruiting class, a retooled and talented coaching staff and a solid spring practice under the Racers' belt. 'We're way ahead of where we were last year , " said Johnson "As far as our scheme , our staff and our talent level, we're light years ahead "

Returning eight starters from a defense which finished last season ranked No 2 in total defense among the nation's Division I-AA teams , it's no secret the Racers will count on the continued brilliance of their defensive unit. Playing an attacking , blitzing eight-man front defense which puts a premium on speed , Murray State is solid in every area across its defense MSU's biggest concern is on offense , where only three starters are back Dan Loyd , last year's quarterback , will be challenged for the starting spot by Justin Fuente , a transfer from Oklahoma.

Senior tailback Wilbert Smith returns after rank ing eighth in the OVC in rushing last year , despite serving as a backup to Anthony Downs Capable receiver Brandon Warfield (33-490-3) will be another threat on offense.

Eastern leads the series, 32-21-4

1998 SCHEDULE 1997 RES UL TS

13

Sept. 5 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Sept. 12 WESTERN KENTUCKY

Sept.19 at Southeast Missouri

Sept.26 at Brigham Young

Oct. 3 UTMARTIN

Oct. 10 at Middle Tennessee

Oct. 17 at Eastern Kentucky

Oct. 24 Open

Oct. 31 TENNESSEETECH

Nov 7 at Eastern Illinois

Nov. 14 TENNESSEESTATE

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