2015 Record: 3-8 (2-6 OVC)
Key Losses: DB DeQuinten Spraggins (Second Team All-OVC), WR Jeremy Harness, WR Janawski Davis
Key Returnees: QB KD Humphries (Second Team All-OVC), RB Roman Clay (Second Team All-OVC)
The Racers in 2015 led one of the fiercest air attacks in the FCS last year. Quarterback KD Humphries led the division in passing yards with 3778 yards and captained an offense that averaged 347 passing yards a game, second only to Eastern Washington and their All-American receiver Cooper Kupp. The Racers air raid attack was great for racking up yards but the Racers offense couldn’t make up for the defense’s shortcomings and the Racers finished 2015 with a 3-8 record.
The offense will take a hit as the Racers lose the receiving trio of Harness, Davis, and Rice. However they will be helped by a returning KD Humphries and a seasoned offensive line. Leading the rushing attack will likely be Ole Miss transfer Mark Dodson Jr. On defense the Racers only return one, Bishop Woods, on the defensive line but look for Rashad Johnson and Silas Owens to play a bigger role this season. T-Ray Malone and Joey Cicoria are big losses for the Racer’s linebacking corps but Lamont Crittendon and Jonathan Jackson look to answer the call. The Racers secondary losses impact player Shawn Samuels-Connell but remains otherwise untouched.
The Racers defense in 2015 allowed over 40 points to be scored by opponents in a game on 6 different occasions. KD Humphries has been playing great ball, but it will likely not be enough to make up for the loss of two of his favorite targets in Harness and Davis.
Schedule and Predictions: 3-8 (2-6 OVC)
L 9/3 @ Illinois
W 9/10 vs. Missouri State
L 9/17 @ Southern Illinois
L 9/24 vs Southeast Missouri State
W 10/1 @ Austin Peay
W 10/15 vs UT-Martin
L 10/22 @ Eastern Illinois
L 10/29 vs Tennessee State
L 11/5 @ Eastern Kentucky
L 11/12 vs. Jacksonville State
L 11/19 @ Tennessee Tech
Expect KD Humphries to have to carry the Racers through the season. It looks to be another rough season for Racer fans. I may be being a bit harsh here, but with the loss of Harness and Davis the offense is going to take a hit. Not only that, but even if the defense gets better compared to last year that’s still not a great recipe for a winning season.
