Jennings to play football at Murray State

Last Friday, Ohio County High’s star running back Q’Daryius Jennings announced via a Facebook post that he has decided to accept a scholarship offer to play football at Murray State University of the Ohio Valley Conference. Last week’s Times-News sports section chronicled Jennings’ selection as a first-team running back on the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer’s All-Area Football Team.

The 6-foot, 200-pound halfback played at OCHS his freshman and junior seasons under former Eagle head coach DeMarcus Ganaway and this season under OCHS’ first-year head coach Josh Monin, and was a member of Grayson County’s squad his sophomore season. He led the Eagles the past two seasons in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and scoring, and ranked high in pass receptions and receiving touchdowns. He also played safety on defense and returned kicks.

In announcing his decision, Jennings posted this message: “First off, I’d like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love. Next, I’d like to thank all the coaches I’ve had throughout my football career that has pushed me to limits I didn’t know I had. To all my teammates that I’ve had and competitors, you have made me strive to be my best, you all gave me a battle each and every practice and fought with me every Friday night. And for that I will be forever grateful.”

“I want to thank my Mother, Father, and all other family members who have contributed through this process. This has not been easy and has been a very difficult decision for me to make for my next three or four year. Again thank you, I wouldn’t be where I am without you all. With that being said, I am proud to announce that I have chosen to attend Murray State University to further my Academics and Athletic career. #GoRacers! Q”

When informed of the decision, Coach Ganaway — now head coach at Evansville’s (IN) Benjamin Bosse High, wrote: “Congrats 2 my boy Q’Daryius Jennings on announcing his commitment to Murray today! Definitely a place where he will continue to grow and show how special of a player/person he is!!! #MrBigTime”

Ironically, the 12-member Ohio Valley Conference opted to not play football this fall due to concerns over COVID, and will open their 2020-2021 season in February, which will run into April. The Racers are now under the leadership of new head coach Dean Hood in his first year there. Hood, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University where he was a three-time All-American player at defensive back, comes to MSU after a three-year stint as special teams and outside linebacker coach at the University of Kentucky under Wildcat coach Mark Stoops.

From 2008-2015, Hood was head coach at Eastern Kentucky University where his teams put together an overall 55-38 record, winning two OVC championships, and making three FCS post-season playoff appearances. In 2008, he was named the OVC’s “Coach of the Year.” Prior to coming to heading the EKU squad, Hood put in stints as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, EKU, Ohio University, Glenville State, Colgate and Fairmont State. He was inducted into Ohio Wesleyan’s “Hall of Fame” in 2001.

In 2019, under former head coach Mitch Stewart, the Racers went 4-8 (2-6 in the OVC) after going 5-6 (5-3 in OVC) the previous season. The ’19 squad graduated 19 seniors, including several offensive backs.

Members of the current Ohio Valley Conference include three original members who all joined in 1948 — Murray, Eastern and Morehead State — along with Tennessee schools Austin Peay, Belmont, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, and Tennessee-Martin, Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Southeast Missouri and Jacksonville (AL) State.