Flashback: BYU Overwhelms The Inferior Murray State Racers

On this date 14 years ago, the Brigham Young Cougars were in need of a confidence boost. They got it by playing Murray State.

It was the first time BYU ever played a Division I-AA school.

The talented Cougar defense held Murray State scoreless for the first half, thanks to a Jason Walker interception in the end zone during the first quarter.

The Cougar offense struggled to put points on the board in the first half. A rotating quarterback system with Kevin Feterik and Drew Miller trading snaps every quarter. It A 37-yard punt return by Aaron Roderick to set up the first of two Ronney Jenkins first half touchdown runs.

While the game was relatively close at halftime, 14-0, BYU broke the game open in the third quarter. Feterik accounted for two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing, as BYU took a 29-0 lead. Owen Pochman completed a pass to Donny Atuaia for a two point conversion after the first touchdown of the third quarter.

Murray State didn’t score until 1:37 remained in the third quarter.

True freshman Junior “Reno” Mahe scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The first was a 29-yard touchdown catch from Miller. The second was a 2-yard touchdown run.

Miller and Feterik combined to go 20-32 for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions (Miller: 12-19, 172 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.; Feterik: 8-13, 141 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.). They both completed really long passes to Margin Hooks.

Hooks finished the game with 5 receptions for 179 yards, for an amazing 35.8 yards per catch average. He had an 80-yard touchdown reception from Feterik, and a 70-yard reception from Miller.

Even without star linebacker Brad Martin, who was recovering from an automobile accident, the Cougar defense was stout against the run. The Murray State Racers only netted 35 rushing yards on 31 carries. The Cougar D allowed only 190 passing yards as Murray State completed only 34 percent of it passes. In addition to Walker, Justin Ena intercepted a pass.

Murray State converted just one of 16 third downs, and punted 12 times.

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