Racers fall in back-and-forth battle at Missouri State 28-24

The Murray State Racers battled to the final minute, but lost a close 28-24 contest Saturday to the Missouri State Bears in Springfield.
 
Down by four points with 55 seconds remaining, the Racers and quarterback DJ Williams drove to the Missouri State 37. On 4th and 10, Williams was sacked to end the Racers' day.

The Racers were in charge for the first half after they racked up 214 yards on a pair of Williams to Taylor Shields touchdown passes to put the Racers in front 21-14 with 13:40 before halftime. Williams added a third TD pass during the half, in a new wrinkle for the Racers offense who had only five TD passes all season coming into the day.

The Bears tied it 21-21 at the intermission.
 
The Racers took their final lead of the day when Matt Maldonado booted a 27-yard field goal to make it 24-21 Murray State in the third quarter. The Bears took the lead for good with 3:28 left for the 28-24 final.
 
Williams had his best performance of the season in throwing for 227 yards on 21-of-34 with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. The Bears sacked Williams five times. 

Cole Rusk caught 10 passes for 88 yards and Shields caught nine for 61 yards.

Marco Collins' interception in the fourth quarter was his first as a Racer and the team's sixth this season. The Racers forced three turnovers on the Bears - marking the Racers' season-high.

The Racers (2-5) are now 1-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as they travel to meet the North Dakota State Bison, Saturday Oct. 28 in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at the Fargodome. It'll be the first ever meeting for the two teams.