Missouri
2024 Missouri Football Early Opponent Preview, Game 1: Murray State
Less than a 100 sunsets from now, fans will be filing into Faurot Field again to celebrate the beginning of another Missouri football season.
Season openers against non-conference opponents are not usually the most enthralling of football matchups but act as the important ribbon cutting ceremony for another fall season.
This year for Missouri, Murray State will be making the trek to Columbia on Thursday, August 29. This will be only the second time in history that the Tigers and the Racers meet on the football field, the only other time being a 58-14 win by the James Franklin led Tigers in 2013.
The Racers’ head coach, however, is familaar with the SEC. Jody Wright, who was introduced as Murray’s State’s new head coach this January, has had two stints on SEC coaching staffs. Most recently, Wright was South Carolina’s tight ends coach in 2022 and 2023. He was also a graduate assistant in 2010 and an offensive assistant from 2011-’12 under Nick Saban at Alabama.
The Racers struggled in 2023, their first year in the Missouri Valley Conference, finishing 2-9. But Wright has revamped the roster with plenty of new additions through the transfer portal from FBS schools. Wiill it be enough to challenge the Tigers in August? Here’s an early look at the 2024 Racers.
In Murray State’s first year in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Racers ranked No. 10 out of 12 with 1,270 total offensive yards. The offense for 2024 will have a much different look.
The unit’s transfer portal additions is headlined by former Louisiana Monroe signee, quarterback Jim Ogle. Ogle was a three-star quarterback out of Jacksonville, Alabama and was originally committed to Troy before flipping to Louisiana Monroe in December of 2023.
The most experienced quarterback for the Racers is Isaac McNamee, entering his third year. The three-star recruit started against Ball State in his freshman year of 2022, going 7-for-22 for 57 yards.
The Racers also bolstered their pass catching corps through the portal with Willie Gaines from Colorado, Rykin Maxwell from James Madison and J’Kalon Carter from North Texas.
Murray State will be the fifth school for Gaines, a three-star rated transfer. He caught 27 receptions for 446 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 at Jackson State.
Of course, just as the transfer portal giveth, the transfer portal taketh away. All-American Third Team tight end Cole Rusk, the Racers’ leading receiver in 2023 with 507 yards, transferred to Illinois.
Defense
The Racers’ defense ranked No. 11 out of 12 last year in both yards allowed (4,713) and points (383).
Just like the offense though, there will be plenty of new faces attempting to turn the unit around.
The secondary oversaw the most extreme makeover, with newcomers from Louisville, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech and Coastal Carolina. Amari Wansley from Florida Atlantic, a three-star recruit, and Shavarick Williams from Louisville will lead the safety room. Trelon Slade, a cornerback from Coastal Carolina, brings experience after playing in nine games in 2023.
The defensive line added two players from Middle Tennessee State with Tyrece Edwards and Vincent Dinkins. Edwards, a defensive tackle, appeared in 11 games last year and recorded seven tackles for the Blue Raiders. Dinkins is coming off of an injury that caused him to miss all of the 2023 season.
Staying with the front seven, linebackers Kamron Robinson from New Mexico and Tyson Meguiez from Georgia Tech transferred to Murray State. Meguiez, a three-star prospect, appeared in 28 games over four years with Georgia Tech.
Team Outlook
A competitive, close match would be considered a win for the Murray State program. Playing on the same stage as a SEC team is a significant opportunity for any FCS school, even if they are only the sacrificial lamb.
That was the case for Murray State’s last SEC matchup, a 63-17 blowout loss to Georgia in Athens. The Racers have two SEC matchups on the schedule this year with Missouri in week 1 and Kentucky in week 6.
Date: Aug. 29
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
Location: Faurot Field
Series: Missouri leads 1-0
Head Coach: Jody Wright, formerly the tight ends coach at South Carolina
Offensive Coordinators: Adam Ross and Jimmy Ogle
Defensive Coordinator: Ryan Smith
2023 Record: 2-9, 1-7 in MVC
Coaching Changes Since 2000: Six
Last Conference Championship: Ohio Valley – 2002
Conference Championships: Eight
Meet the Transfer: Georgia Tech Defensive End Eddie Kelly
Kickoff Times Revealed for Two of Missouri’s 2024 Home Games
Meet the Transfer: Clemson Cornerback Torriano Pride Jr.
As summer recreation ramps up across Missouri, safety officials are reminding residents that water safety begins long before anyone steps into a lake or river. Understanding the risks of water activities, knowing personal limits, and making responsible choices are the foundation of preventing tragedies on the water.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other safety agencies emphasize that natural waterways can present hidden hazards, including strong currents, sudden drop‑offs, and floating debris. Swimmers are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, use life jackets when appropriate, and avoid swimming alone.
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Officials say simple precautions—such as recognizing fatigue, monitoring weather conditions, and watching out for others in your group—can make the difference between a fun day on the water and a dangerous situation. As families head outdoors, authorities encourage everyone to treat water safety as a shared responsibility.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 6-2-1
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 0-2-0
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 4-9-6-4
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 1-3-6-4
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Early Bird: 13
Morning: 04
Matinee: 04
Prime Time: 08
Night Owl: 12
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 2 drawing
01-10-15-19-31
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The date for the last matchup in the current Border War series is set.
Missouri men’s basketball will face Kansas in the Border War game on Dec. 6 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, according to a post from the Jayhawks’ official X/Twitter account Tuesday. The tipoff time and TV designation for the matchup will be released at a later date.
Kansas released its full nonconference schedule Tuesday, including the sixth and final game against Mizzou on the current competition contract.
The historic rivals have not yet signed a contract to renew the series beyond this season, according to a recent batch of competition contracts obtained by the Tribune through an open records request.
Missouri is yet to announce its nonconference schedule for the 2026-27 season, but there are three other known or reported games for this upcoming season.
Mizzou will face Howard at Mizzou Arena in the last leg of a three-game series, which will take place on a still-to-be-determined date.
The Tigers also have three more neutral-site games on their schedule. The annual Braggin’ Rights matchup against Illinois likely will fall in mid- or late- December at Enterprise Center, and Mizzou has agreed to a Nov. 15 trip to United Center in Chicago to face Marquette. Missouri also reportedly will face Saint Louis on Nov. 6 at Enterprise Center, according to Jon Rothstein at CBS Sports and College Hoops Today.
This season’s Border War matchup will include the first direct transfer between the two schools when Bryson Tiller suits up for Missouri after spending last season, his freshman year, at Kansas.
KU has won four of the five games since the series was renewed in 2021, including an 80-60 win in Kansas City last season. Missouri won the 2024-25 season matchup at Mizzou Arena, but has not beaten Kansas outside of Columbia since 2003.
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