KD Humphries threw for 299 yards and a score for the Racers (2-5, 2-2 Ohio Valley Conference). Mareio McGraw ran for 139 yards and a score and Jesse Blackburn had 147 yards and a score receiving.
Trailing 21-3 at the end of the first quarter, the Racers rallied to score 16 unanswered points on three Mitchell field goals — including one from 49 yards — and a scoring run by Demetric Johnson to cut the Eastern Illinois lead to 21-19 with 11:52 to go in the third quarter.
McGraw ran for a 77-yard touchdown to put Murray State on top, 37-31, with 9:00 left in the game. Mitchell kicked his sixth field goal to make it 40-31 with 2:31 remaining.
Mitch Kimble threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers (6-3, 3-2).
