PHOTO BY SHERAZAD SHAIKH - Malcolm Murray (left) leaps airborne in attempt to intercept a pass from the opposing wide receiver.
But the welcome back party of Nick Lamaison from Tennessee and Murray will add depth and leadership to the Mounties roster come this Fall.
Murray helped lead the Mt. SAC defense win the state and national championship by edging out San Mateo up in Northern California 7-6 last December. Murray’s defensive play was instrumental in that game catching two key interceptions to solidify the Mounties’ second title, their first won back in 1997.
With his unfortunate release from Oklahoma State a few weeks ago, a number of teams were interested in Murray’s services, notably UCLA and Portland State.
However, the 6-foot-2 inch Junipero Serra High School product said coming back to Mt. SAC made the most sense.
“I’m already familiar with the coaches there and with the system,” he said. “So I felt, ‘why not try to defend our championship?’”
Murray will return to familiarity as he likely will cover the free safety position once more this Fall.
“My goal this season is to improve on everything I did wrong last year,” he said. “I want to work on everything in my repertoire but I want to get more tackles and interceptions especially.”
With the defensive tandem of Vai Lutui and Bojay Fillimoeatu, who both will help lead the defensive front, the Mounties will come into the 2010 season very much loaded as they were last season.
“It feels good being back at Mt. SAC,” Murray said. “Hopefully we’ll have the same outcome as last year.”
Stay tuned for a special feature on Malcolm Murray in September.
