Racers long jaunt to South Dakota State ends in 52-6 defeat

The Murray State Racers dropped a 52-6 defeat Saturday to the No. 3 ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits in their first 1,000-mile visit to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

Murray State (1-8, 0-6 Missouri Valley Football Conference), which made its first trip to Brookings, was coming off a 59-6 loss to FCS top-ranked North Dakota State last Saturday.

South Dakota State (FCS No. 3, 7-2, 4-1) marched 75 yards on the opening drive of the game to take the lead 7-0.

MSU's James London took over the program's career lead with his fifth field goal of 50 yards or more when he booted his career-long effort of 55 yards with 3:33 in the first quarter. London's field goal is the longest of the season in the MVFC after he had the longest in the league in 2023 of 53 yards.

The Racers ended the day outgained by the Jackrabbits 595 to 236 yards. South Dakota State piled up 343 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. 

In his return to his native state of South Dakota, Murray State quarterback Jayden Johannsen was 14-of-18 passing for 94 yards and he threw one interception. Johannsen grew up in Sioux Falls and was part of a Washington High School program that won three-straight South Dakota State championships.

The Racers (1-8) and 0-6 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, come home next Saturday (Nov. 9) for the final home game of the 2024 season when they host the Missouri State Bears in a 1 p.m. kick at Roy Stewart Stadium.

The game marked the first meeting between the Racers and Jackrabbits as the Racers compete in their 100th season in program history. The Racers are the newest member of the MVFC, joining the league in 2023.