The Murray State Racers (6-4) and Austin Peay Governors (6-5) play the next chapter in the Popeyes Battle of the Border. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky. The game marks the 135th meeting between the two since their first game in 1941. MSU has won the last two and 12 of the last 13.
Although the two teams are in different conferences, the rivalry remains the same as officials from each university felt that it was important to keep this series going. As a founding member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers are in their first season in the Missouri Valley Conference, while APSU has joined the ASun Conference. From 1963-2022 (59 seasons), the Racers and Govs were members of the OVC.
Racers Extend Home Win Streak
The Racers became an escape artist in Tuesday’s game at home against Chicago State. Down 30-8 in the first 11 minutes and 15 points at halftime, MSU found a way to make a comeback win by a score of 66-65.The 22-point deficit and win is tied for the fourth-largest comeback in Missouri Valley Conference history and by overcoming a 15-point halftime deficit, the Racers have the largest comeback in the 25-year history of the CFSB Center. The Racers have won their last 19 games on their home court since their last loss to Eastern Illinois (Feb. 18, 2021. The current run at home is among the top-15 home win streaks in MSU history. The most famous home win streak in MSU history was the 47 in a row MSU won between 1996-2000 that spanned the final 30 games at old Racer Arena and the first 17 at the CFSB Center. It was the nation’s longest streak when it was halted by Southeast Missouri State. MSU has won its last 24 non-league games at home.
Schedule Watch – Return to MVC Play Near
With Christmas on the way, the Racers’ remaining games in December offer big challenges and a return to Valley play when MSU hosts Southern Illinois (Dec. 29) as the two play for the first time as conference members after 38 meetings previously.
Between now and then, the Racers host the Govs Friday and play at Middle Tennessee (Dec. 21). Once the Christmas break is over, the Racers get SIU at home , then hit the road for Evansville on New Year’s Day, before coming home (Jan. 4) to host Bradley.
Racer Club
The Racer Club promotes and supports athletics through private gifts/resources to provide a first-class student-athlete experience. The Racer Club has seen unprecedented growth over the last three years, bringing in over $1,000,000 annually. These funds provided through numerous Racer Club initiatives fuel all 15 Murray State Athletics programs. In addition, Racer Club support facilitates capital facility projects and many enhancements critical to our collective success.Â
Blue & Gold Fridays
Of course, any day is a good day to wear Murray State colors, but Blue & Gold Fridays are a great way to show our unity in Racer Nation, especially as Murray State enters the Missouri Valley Conference in the 2022-23 school year. Wear your Murray State colors and share photos to the social media channels of the Racers. Need some Murray State gear to wear? Just visit the online store. All of Racer Nation agrees, the Murray State unique combination of blue and gold is probably the best-looking color combo you can find!
Racers Rally Program
Murray State Athletics launched the Racers Rally program, a great way for businesses to become partners with the Racers to be part of Racer Nation. Membership for the Racer Rally program is free and businesses can sign up online. Benefits of joining the Racer Rally Program include: yard signs, team schedule posters and window stickers. Murray State Athletics will deliver promotional items to each business that participates in the Racer Rally program. Sign Up
About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department of Murray State University is a NCAA Division I member and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men’s teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf and women’s teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball, as well as a mixed gender rifle team. The Racers became members of the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2022. The Racers will become a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2023. The MSU rifle program competes in the Ohio Valley Conference.
About Murray State University
Since 1922, Murray State University has provided a collaborative, opportunity-rich living and learning community that fosters personal growth and professional success through a high-quality college experience. Students receive support from inspiring faculty and staff and will join a distinctive campus community — the Racer Family. With nearly 10,000 students, Murray State prepares the next generation of leaders to join more than 80,000 successful alumni who make a difference in their community, across the country and around the world. We are Racers. The University’s main campus is located in Murray, Kentucky, and includes five regional campuses in Ft. Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Paducah.
About the Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference — the nation’s second-oldest NCAA Division I conference celebrates its 116th season in 2022-23. For the first time, the MVC will have 12 members as Belmont, UIC, and Murray State officially joined the Conference on July 1, 2022. It marks the first time the Conference has admitted three schools for the same season. Notably, MVC membership will stand at a league-high 12 members for the first time. League members include Belmont, Bradley, Drake, Evansville, UIC, Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Murray State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, and Valparaiso. Little Rock is an affiliate member in women’s swimming and diving; and SIU Edwardsville is an affiliate member in men’s soccer. The seeds for the creation of the Conference were planted by eight administrators representing five institutions, who met at the Midland Hotel in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 12, 1907. The five schools which formed the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association were Washington University of St. Louis, and the state universities of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Two months after the initial meeting, two more schools — Drake University and Iowa State College — were admitted. While The Valley no longer sponsors football (it did from 1907-85), seven league members compete in the sport at the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) level as Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, UNI and Southern Illinois play in the 11-member Missouri Valley Football Conference (with North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Western Illinois and Youngstown State). That league competed as the Gateway Conference from 1985-2007.
Game Information
Opponent: Austin Peay Governors
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (CFSB Center)
Date/Game Time: Friday, Dec. 16, 2022/7 p.m.
Audio: WFGS Froggy 103.7FM (PxP: Neal Bradley, Analyst: Kenny Roth)
TV: ESPN+ (PxP: Todd Hamilton, Analyst: Rob Cross)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com/Coverage
Twitter In Game: @MSURacers
MUR Record (Streak): 6-4 (W1)
APSU Record (Streak): 6-5 (W2)
MUR Last Game: Won 66-65 H Chicago State (Dec. 13)
APSU Last Game: Won 86-61 H Lindsey Wilson (Dec. 12)
All-Time Series vs. APSU: Racers lead 89-45 (51-11 home)
First Meeting: 1941 MSU won at APSU 53-43
Last Meeting: Feb. 17, 2022 MSU won home 91-56
Largest MSU Win: +44 102-58 Home 2017
Largest APSU Win: -29 105-76 Away 1973
Last Five vs APSU: MSU 4-1
Next MSU Game: Dec. 21 at Middle Tennessee
Next MSU Home Game: Dec. 29 vs Southern Illinois
Dave Winder
Associate AD – Communications
