Murray State went 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference last year in coach Matt Griffin's third year. The Racers return 20 starters, and have an explosive passing game. However, Murray State is switching to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment to try and shore up its defense.

All-Time Series: First meeting

Head Coach: Matt Griffin, 8-26 at Murray State (4th year) and 18-50 career (seventh year)

2008 In Review: 5-7 overall, 4-4 in Ohio Valley Conference (5th)

Last Postseason Appearance: Lost 59-20 at Western Kentucky in the first round of the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA playoffs

Total Wins 2004-2008: 17 (7-2-1-2-5)

2009 Preseason Projections: Sporting News: Fourth in Ohio Valley, Lindy's: Sixth in Ohio Valley

Returning Starters: 20 (9 offensive, 9 defensive, 2 specialists)

Offensive Star: Sr. WR Derrick Townsel — The 5-9, 182-pounder was named second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference after catching 53 passes for 667 yards and three touchdowns, despite missing three games last year. He led the OVC in catches per game (5.9) and ranked third in yards per contest (74.1). He put together an incredible three-game stretch where he had over 161 yards in each outing, capped by 11 receptions for 199 yards against Tennessee Tech. He also returned a punt 64 yards for a score against Southeast Missouri.

Defensive Star: Sr. DE Austen Lane — The 6-7, 270-pounder was once a gifted receiver in high school. Four years and many pounds later, he's arguably the top defensive lineman in FCS. He recorded 63 tackles, ranked second in FCS with 22 tackles for losses, had 12 sacks, recovered three fumbles and forced two. He has 18 career sacks, which is tied for second all-time at Murray State. The first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference performer has been named the conference Defensive Player of the Year in the preseason, and Consensus Draft Services selected him as the FCS preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Notable: Murray State has had three notable past coaches in Mike Gottfried, Frank Beamer and Houston Nutt. Gottfried later went on to coach Kansas and Pittsburgh, and then later an analyst for ESPN. Beamer, who graduated from Murray State, is at Virginia Tech. Nutt moved on to Arkansas and now Ole Miss … Former NC State coach Mike O'Cain, currently the quarterbacks coach at Virginia Tech, and Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster were both former assistant coaches at Murray State. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and Illinois coach Ron Zook were also former assistant coaches at Murray State … Griffin's first team at Murray State in 2006, which went 1-10, featured 48 freshman on the 82-man roster, with the two-deep filled with 21 true freshman and 12 started at least one game. Those freshman are now seniors … Former Northern Arizona offensive coordinator Keeth Matheny was named to the same position at Murray State this offseason.

Overview: Murray State finished fourth in the league in total offense at 353.9 yards a game last year. The Racers averaged 218.9 yards a game through the air and 135 on the ground. Junior Jeff Ehrhardt is a dual-threat quarterback, who had a big spring game. He went 22 for 32 for 300 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-4, 220-pound Ehrhardt has three quality targets to throw to with Townsel, junior wide receiver Marcus Harris, and senior tight end DeAngelo Nelson. The 6-1, 185-pound Harris had 61 catches for 652 yards and six touchdowns last year, and was also an effective kick returner, averaging 26.9 yards per return. Nelson, who is 6-1 and 235 pounds, earned second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors after catching 34 receptions for 386 yards and a touchdown. He was also first-team All-OVC in 2007. Sophomore receivers Patrick Robertson and Ja-Vonta Trotter combined for 41 catches in reserve roles. Junior running back Charlie Jordan is 417 yards away from rushing for 2,000 in his career. He'll be pushed by junior college star Randell Bell, who led Butler County C.C. to the national title. Three starters return on the offensive line, led by senior left guard Eric Ornella, who has 22 career starts.

Murray State gave up points in bunches last year, despite having linebacker Nathan Williams, who was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Williams had 179 tackles and eight sacks, and has moved on to the professional ranks, leaving a huge void in the Racers' defense. Opponents averaged 31.3 points, but the Racers were second in the conference in yards allowed per game (328.4). The defense is switching to a 4-2-5 alignment, and will be built around the talented Lane and eight other returning starters. Senior linebacker Tamar Butler will be a four-year starter, and he had 91 tackles and a pair of interceptions last year. Sophomore cornerback Lamar Hall had a solid first season with 60 tackles and three interceptions, and senior safety Taylor Lanigan and junior strong safety Harry McCall also return. Lanigan had 103 tackles and an interception, while McCall, who started last year at cornerback, added 55 tackles and two picks and nine passes broken up. Sophomore kicker/punter Kienan Cullen went 14 of 20 on field goals with a long of 41, and averaged 37.4 yards on 51 punts with 12 downed inside the 20-yard line. He had two field goals and two punts blocked.

Passing: Jr. QB Jeff Ehrhardt (169-266, 1,885 yards, 11 TD, 8 INT)

Rushing: Jr. RB Charles Jordan (139 carries, 534 yards, 6 TD)

Receiving: Jr. WR Marcus Harris (61 catches, 652 yards, 6 TD)

Tackles: Sr. S Taylor Lanigan (104)

Sacks: Sr. DE Austen Lane (12)

Int: Soph. CB Lamar Hall (3)

Sept. 3 Kentucky Wesleyan

Sept. 19 at Missouri State

Sept. 26 Eastern Kentucky L, 34-7

Oct. 10 Jacksonville State L, 31-21

Oct. 17 at Tennessee State W, 24-17

Oct. 24 at Tennessee-Martin L, 63-38

Oct. 31 Eastern Illinois L, 34-6

Nov. 7 Austin Peay W, 32-12

Nov. 14 at Southeast Missouri W, 17-10

Nov. 21 at Tennessee Tech W, 51-21