Murray State seeks improvement in 2018

(STATS) - Year four of the Mitch Stewart era at Murray State features perhaps the most difficult start, but the Racers hope the early games lead to improvement in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Murray State will kick off the season by hosting old rival Southern Illinois on Aug. 30 and then travel to 2017 Southland Conference champ Central Arkansas on Sept. 8 and SEC member Kentucky Sept. 15.

"Needless to say, our first three weeks should give us a good idea of where we are at as a football team before starting conference play," said Stewart, whose program has a 10-23 record in his three seasons and went 3-8 in 2017. "It's a tough schedule, but it's one that we are looking forward to playing."

The Racers will play half of their eight OVC opponents at home - UT Martin (Sept. 29), Tennessee State (Oct. 13), defending champ Jacksonville State (Oct. 27) and Southeast Missouri (Nov. 10).

2018 Murray State schedule

Aug. 30, Southern Illinois

Sept. 8, at Central Arkansas

Sept. 15, at Kentucky

Sept. 29, UT Martin*

Oct. 6, at Eastern Illinois*

Oct. 13, Tennessee State*

Oct. 20, at Eastern Kentucky*

Oct. 27, Jacksonville State*

Nov. 3, at Tennessee Tech*

Nov. 10, Southeast Missouri*

Nov. 17, at Austin Peay*

* - OVC game