What Is 2016 Murray State Racers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). Head coach Mitch Stewart led the team, which played its home games at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.

Key Facts

The 2016 Murray State Racers finished with a 7-5 overall record
They achieved a 5-3 record in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)
Head coach Mitch Stewart was in his first season as head coach
Home games were played at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky
The team did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2016

Overview

The 2016 Murray State Racers football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), representing Murray State University in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). Under first-year head coach Mitch Stewart, the team aimed to rebuild after a challenging 2015 season that saw a 3-8 overall record.

Playing their home games at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky, the Racers showed improvement in 2016, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2012. Despite a strong offensive performance in several games, the team narrowly missed postseason qualification.

Overall Record: The team finished the season with a 7-5 overall record, marking a significant improvement from the previous year’s 3-8 mark.
Conference Performance: In the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers posted a 5-3 record, placing them in the upper half of the league standings.
Head Coach: Mitch Stewart took over as head coach in 2016, becoming the 19th head coach in program history and leading the team through a transitional season.
Home Venue: All home games were held at Roy Stewart Stadium, a 10,300-seat facility that has served as the team’s home since 1930.
Postseason: Despite a winning record, the Racers did not qualify for the 2016 FCS playoffs, which invited 24 teams based on selection criteria and rankings.

How It Works

The 2016 season operated under standard NCAA FCS regulations, with the Racers competing in a 12-game regular season schedule followed by potential postseason play. The team’s structure included offensive, defensive, and special teams units operating under head coach Mitch Stewart’s leadership.

Offensive Strategy: The Racers utilized a spread offense led by quarterback Casey Brockman, who threw for 2,112 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season.
Defensive Scheme: The defense operated a 4-2-5 formation, allowing an average of 27.8 points per game and showing improvement in pass coverage.
Special Teams: Kicker Blake Craig played a key role, converting 10 of 13 field goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards.
Recruiting Impact: The 2016 recruiting class included 22 new players, many of whom contributed immediately due to injuries and depth issues.
Schedule Difficulty: The non-conference schedule included matchups against FBS opponent Western Kentucky, which the Racers lost 48-10.
Player Development: Several underclassmen saw significant playing time, including true freshman linebacker Jalen Norman, who recorded 58 tackles.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Murray State Racers with the previous season and the OVC champion, Jacksonville State:

Category	2016 Murray State	2015 Murray State	2016 OVC Champion
Overall Record	7-5	3-8	10-2
Conference Record	5-3	2-6	8-0
Points Per Game	26.4	20.1	38.7
Head Coach	Mitch Stewart (1st year)	Don Clark (final season)	John Grass (2nd year)
Postseason Appearance	No	No	Yes (FCS Playoffs)

The 2016 season demonstrated clear progress compared to 2015, particularly in win total and conference performance. However, the gap between Murray State and top OVC teams like Jacksonville State remained evident in scoring and postseason qualification.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a pivotal year for the Murray State football program, marking the beginning of a rebuilding phase under new leadership. The improved record helped stabilize the program and laid the foundation for future competitiveness.

Program Momentum: The 7-5 record provided optimism and recruiting momentum heading into the 2017 season.
Coaching Transition: Mitch Stewart’s first year set the tone for a new era, though he would be replaced after the 2018 season.
Player Development: Gaining experience for young players was crucial, especially on defense, which showed marked improvement.
Conference Standing: A 5-3 OVC record kept the Racers competitive and avoided the bottom tier of the conference.
Recruiting Boost: Success on the field helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent classes.
Community Engagement: Improved performance increased attendance and fan engagement at Roy Stewart Stadium.

While the 2016 Murray State Racers did not reach the playoffs, the season represented a necessary step forward in restoring the program’s reputation and competitiveness within the FCS landscape.