What Is 2010 Murray State Racers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Matt Griffin. They competed in the Ohio Valley Conference and did not qualify for the FCS playoffs.

Key Facts

The 2010 Murray State Racers finished the season with a 6–5 overall record
Head coach Matt Griffin led the team during his third season at the helm
They played in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), posting a 4–4 conference record
The Racers played home games at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky
They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2010

Overview

The 2010 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University during the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), the team was led by head coach Matt Griffin in his third year at the program.

Despite showing improvement in several areas, the Racers narrowly missed a winning record, finishing the season with a 6–5 overall mark and a 4–4 conference performance. Their home games were played at Roy Stewart Stadium, a 20,800-seat venue in Murray, Kentucky.

Season record: The team ended with a 6–5 overall record, marking modest progress from previous years under head coach Matt Griffin.
Conference play: In the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers posted a 4–4 record, placing them in the middle of the league standings.
Home venue: All home games were held at Roy Stewart Stadium, which has served as the team’s home since 1973.
Head coach: Matt Griffin was in his third season as head coach, working to rebuild the program after several losing seasons.
Playoff eligibility: The Racers did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, needing a better conference record to earn a bid.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA Division I FCS football involves regular-season competition, conference standings, and a playoff system for qualifying teams. The 2010 Murray State Racers operated within this framework, aiming to improve their win total and conference standing.

Division: The Racers competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA, which features a 24-team playoff for eligible teams.
Conference: As members of the Ohio Valley Conference, the team played eight conference games, with standings determining playoff eligibility and conference honors.
Season length: The 2010 season consisted of 11 games, including six regular opponents and five OVC matchups, which was standard for FCS programs at the time.
Playoff qualification: Only the top teams in the FCS receive bids; the Racers’ 6–5 record was not sufficient to earn an at-large or automatic bid.
Recruiting: The program relied on regional talent from Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Midwest, with limited national exposure compared to larger FCS programs.
Coaching staff: Matt Griffin led a staff focused on rebuilding the offensive and defensive schemes to compete in the increasingly competitive OVC.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2010 Murray State Racers compared to other Ohio Valley Conference teams that season:

Team	Overall Record	OVC Record	Playoff Berth	Head Coach
Murray State	6–5	4–4	No	Mat Griffin
Tennessee State	7–4	6–2	No	James Webster
Eastern Kentucky	6–5	5–3	No	Randall McCray
Tennessee Tech	5–6	4–4	No	Mike Hennigan
Jacksonville State	8–3	6–2	Yes (Lost in First Round)

While Murray State matched Eastern Kentucky in overall wins, their weaker conference record placed them behind in the standings. Jacksonville State emerged as the OVC’s strongest team and earned the conference’s only playoff bid. The 2010 season highlighted the competitiveness of the OVC, where small differences in key games determined postseason outcomes.

Why It Matters

The 2010 season was a transitional year for the Murray State program, reflecting both progress and the challenges of competing in a tough FCS conference. It laid the groundwork for future recruiting and strategic development under Matt Griffin’s leadership.

Program momentum: A non-losing season provided a foundation for future improvement and increased fan engagement at home games.
Recruiting impact: A slightly better record helped the coaching staff attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent years.
Conference competitiveness: The OVC was becoming more balanced, making every conference game critical for standings and playoff hopes.
Stadium utilization: Roy Stewart Stadium remained a key asset, offering a strong home-field advantage when attendance was high.
Coaching evaluation: The 2010 season was used as a benchmark to assess Griffin’s progress and determine future support from the athletic department.
Historical context: This season is part of a longer rebuilding arc that eventually led to improved performance in the early 2010s.

Though not a breakout year, the 2010 campaign demonstrated resilience and incremental growth for the Murray State football program.