The 2026 Murray State Racers football team represents Murray State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Racers are led by third-year head coach Jody Wright and play their home games at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.
Preseason MVFC poll
The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 14, 2026, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Racers were predicted to finish last in the conference. Schedule
Game summaries
Eastern Illinois
Statistics EIUMUR First downs 20 18 Plays–yards 65–368 66–320 Rushes–yards 47–267 26–63 Passing yards 101 257 Passing: comp–att–int 11–18–0 26–40–2 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 33:11 26:49 Team Category Player Statistics Eastern Illinois Passing Cole LaCrue 11/18, 101 yards, TD Rushing Charles Kellom 19 carries, 171 yards, 3 TD Receiving Samuel Gonzalez 3 receptions, 50 yards Murray State Passing Collin Shannon 26/40, 257 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Mykel Allen 10 carries, 54 yards Receiving Tyrell Campbell 5 receptions, 66 yards
at Middle Tennessee (FBS)
Statistics MURMTSU First downs 16 21 Plays–yards 49–290 48–396 Rushes–yards 27–145 22–196 Passing yards 145 200 Passing: comp–att–int 13–22–0 20–26–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 34:18 25:42 Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Jim Ogle 11/16, 118 yards Rushing Tyrell Campbell 8 carries, 75 yards, TD Receiving Dimitri Howard 3 receptions, 49 yards Middle Tennessee Passing Roman Gagliano 20/26, 200 yards, 2 TD Rushing Antonio Martin 15 carries, 103 yards Receiving Cam'ron Lacy 8 receptions, 118 yards, TD
Valparaiso
Statistics VALMUR First downs 14 19 Plays–yards 58–327 70–388 Rushes–yards 23–78 40–194 Passing yards 249 194 Passing: comp–att–int 20–35–1 18–30–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 27:35 32:25 Team Category Player Statistics Valparaiso Passing Rowan Keefe 20/35, 249 yards, TD, INT Rushing 6 carries, 29 yards, TD Receiving Chris Gundy 5 receptions, 107 yards Murray State Passing Collin Shannon 11/17, 121 yards Rushing Tyrell Campbell 14 carries, 117 yards Receiving Trey Firestone 3 receptions, 62 yards
at Oklahoma State (FBS)
Statistics MUROKST First downs 5 33 Plays–yards 46–160 73–662 Rushes–yards 23–76 45–301 Passing yards 84 361 Passing: comp–att–int 14–23–1 26–28–0 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 24:52 35:08 Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Jim Ogle 13/21, 79 yards Rushing Dylan Embry 2 carries, 26 yards Receiving Dimitri Howard 1 receptions, 38 yards Oklahoma State Passing Drew Mestemaker 20/22, 324 yards, 5 TD Rushing Caleb Hawkins 11 carries, 72 yards Receiving Justin Bowick 9 receptions, 178 yards, 2 TD
No. 24 Southern Illinois
Statistics SIUMUR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Southern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving
at No. 5 North Dakota
Statistics MURUND First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving North Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
South Dakota
Statistics SDAKMUR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving
at South Dakota State
Statistics MURSDST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Illinois State
Statistics MURILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
Youngstown State
Statistics YSUMUR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Youngstown State Passing Rushing Receiving Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Indiana State
Statistics MURINST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving
Northern Iowa
Statistics UNIMUR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Northern Iowa Passing Rushing Receiving Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving
References