Murray State vs. Austin Peay rivalry

The rivalry between Murray State University and Austin Peay State University, both located within 70 miles of each other in different states, is a noted competition in the Ohio Valley Conference.

In 1941, the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) was founded. In 1962, Austin Peay State University joined the league already composed of Murray State University, Morehead State University, Eastern Kentucky University and Tennessee Tech University. Since then, Murray State Racers Athletics and Austin Peay Governors Athletics have became OVC rivals. Murray State currently leads all of the all-time series that have records documented, with the closest battle being between Racers and Governors volleyball. The longtime rivalry in the Ohio Valley Conference between Austin Peay State University and Murray State University has led to the creation of an annual contest featuring the two campuses.

Heritage Bank Battle of the Border[]

Due to the growth of the rivalry between the two, the Heritage Bank Battle of the Border was created. Every regular season game against each other in their respective sports are allotted a certain point value and whoever wins the game gets that many points. There are 67 points total, which represents the miles between the two campuses. If no matchups are played in the regular season, the winner is determined by its success in the OVC tournament. Since its creation in 2016, Murray State has won the first two seasons in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.

Men's basketball[]

The two teams faced off for the first time on Austin Peay's home floor in a non-conference battle prior to the university joining the OVC, where Murray State came away victorious 53-43. The Racers and Governors have played against each other 127 times. Murray State currently leads the all-time series 84-43 and leads the OVC series 71-37. Murray State also holds a higher record against Austin Peay in the OVC Tournament, going 8-6 in postseason play when taking on the Governors.

Women's basketball[]

The two stepped on the hardwood to face off for the first time in 1931. The Racers won the first matchup 45-23 and has gone on to go 52-47 against the Governors. Murray State holds a commanding 34-14 home record, but has a 17-31 away record versus Austin Peay. Three games between the two were played at neutral sites.

Baseball[]

The two teams took to the diamond for their first matchup in 1948, where the Racers won 8-2. Murray State leads the all-time series with a 109-99-1 record. The Racers have a 57-37 home record, a 50-58-1 road record and have 2-4 in neutral sites.

Softball[]

The two met for their first matchup in 2010, where the Racers came away with a 3-2 win. There have been 26 games played between the two, with Murray State leading the all-time series at 18-8. Murray State leads in terms of home and away record, going 9-5 at home and 8-3 on the road to go with a neutral site victory.

Football[]

After Murray State won its first matchup with Austin Peay 34-13 in 1953, the two teams have faced off 51 times on the gridiron. The Racers lead the all-time series 36-15, going 21-5 at home and 15-10 on the road.

Soccer[]

Murray State soccer has been one of the more prominent programs in the OVC since its creation. Against Austin Peay the Racers have gone 12-4-2. Murray State is 7-2-1 at home and 5-1-1 on the road against the Governors, while losing the only neutral site game played between the two. The two teams first matchup took place in 2002.

Tennis:[]

The first match between Murray State and Austin Peay dates back to 1970, in which the Racers won 8-1. Murray State leads the all-time series 47-17, going 24-6 on their home courts, while owning a 23-12 road record.

Women's volleyball[]

The Racers and Governors took to the net for the first time in 1963 as Austin Peay came away with the 2-0 win. The two have continued a heated battle throughout the years, with Murray State ultimately leading the series currently at 39-37. The Racers lead the home series 20-13, while the Governors lead the away series with a 19-14 record.