MURRAY, Ky. — South Dakota State battled adversity on Saturday afternoon and came away with a 35-14 win against Murray State.
The No. 2 ranked Jackrabbits scored on their first possession, but starting quarterback Chase Mason jogged off the field after running into the end zone and did not return. Redshirt freshman Luke Marble played the rest of the game.
SDSU head coach Dan Jackson did not give an update on Mason after the game in a radio interview.
Murray State (0-7) moved into SDSU territory on its first drive of the game, but then Jim Ogle was intercepted by Jalen Lee at the SDSU 18. The Jacks then went 82 yards in 14 plays and Mason ran into the end zone from six yards out to make it 7-0 with just under six minutes left in the first half.
Murray State answered right away as Ogle found Darius Cannon for a 65-yard touchdown to make it 7-7. SDSU would regain the lead midway through the second quarter as Jack Smith capped off a six-play 88-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown from Marble.
Murray State drove into the red zone again and after a defensive pass interference penalty was picked up Ogle threw an interception to Joe Ollman in the end zone. SDSU attempted to get more points, but were unable to and led 14-7 at the half.
It didn’t take long for the Jacks to extend the lead in the second half as Marble threw a 46-yard touchdown to Smith a minute and 11 seconds into the second half. Murray State drove the ball to the SDSU four yard line, but Ogle was stopped in the backfield on fourth and goal.
Early in the fourth quarter the lead grew to 28-7 as Josiah Johnson plunged into the end zone from a yard out. The Racers found the end zone one more time as Ogle connected with Jordan Washington for a 60-yard touchdown to make it 28-14 with just over 12 minutes left in the game. The final touchdown of the game came with six minutes to play as James Basinger ran into the end zone from six yards out. SDSU ran 23 consecutive run plays to end the game.
The Racers outgained the Jacks 469-438. SDSU finished with four interceptions as Lee had another and Jayden Oliver had one as well.
Marble finished the day 13-of-21 with 169 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Mason was 5-of-6 for 69 yards. Alex Bullock led the receivers with six catches for 99 yards. Smith had five catches for 91 yards.
The Jacks had 211 yards rushing. Julius Loughridge had 88 yards on 25 carries. Johnson had 10 carries for 58 yards.
SDSU improved to 7-0 on the season. The Jackrabbits will host No. 1 ranked North Dakota State in the Dakota Marker Game next Saturday at 7 p.m.
