Racers Open Football Camp

The Murray State football team officially kicked-off their 2015 season Tuesday with the first full practice. Eighty-nine players took the field for Murray State including 57 returners and 32 newcomers.
 
The first practice under head coach Mitch Stewart, had good flow according to the coach. While there were some positive things that came out of day one, there is still plenty to be learned about this year's team.

However, one thing that was obvious was the team was much better conditioned than in year's past. The improvement in conditioning is thanks in large part to the three-week voluntary summer program that Stewart began this season, which nearly every Racer participated in.

Among the returners from last year's third-ranked passing offense and 15th overall offense, is 2014 consensus All-American Pokey Harris. Harris made history last season by becoming the first player in OVC history to tally a 100-yard touchdown return in consecutive games.

Also returning on offense are preseason All-OVC selection Janawski Davis and KD Humphries. Davis led MSU's receiving corps with 13 touchdowns and 909 yards, while Humphries led the nation in completions by going 319-for-473 with 27 touchdowns and 3,488 yards.

While defense has been a problem for Murray State in the past, MSU will look to turn that around under new defensive coordinator Chris Boone. One of the biggest weapons in Boone's arsenal this season will be preseason All-OVC selection Jonathan Jackson. Jackson led Murray State with 134 tackles on the year and led the OVC and finished fourth in the nation in tackles per game with 12.2.
 
On top of the 23 players signed in Stewart's first class, the rookie head coach has also made waves with the announcement of three FBS transfers this summer. On the offensive side of the ball, running back Mark Dodson and wide receiver Dominique Rhymes came to Murray from Ole Miss and FIU, respectively, while defensive lineman Elijah Daniel joined the team after two seasons at Auburn.

This week marks the first of three that the Racers will complete as part of training camp. Murray State will begin its 2015 campaign Thursday, September 3 under the lights at The Track at 6 p.m. against Kentucky Wesleyan.