Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
4-1 , 2-0
University of North Texas (CampusInsiders)
2-3 , 1-1
Team Stats
MT 0, NT 7
NT - WILSON, Jeffrey 1 yd run (MOORE, Trevor kick), 17 plays, 87 yards, TOP 7:39
MT 3, NT 7
MT - ROOKER, Canon 25 yd field goal 16 plays, 80 yards, TOP 6:22
MT 6, NT 7
MT - ROOKER, Canon 34 yd field goal 8 plays, 25 yards, TOP 1:54
MT 13, NT 7
MT - ANDREWS, Dennis 11 yd pass from STOCKSTILL, B. (ROOKER, Canon kick) 10 plays, 84 yards, TOP 3:49
MT 20, NT 7
MT - LEE, Ty 9 yd pass from STOCKSTILL, B. (ROOKER, Canon kick) 12 plays, 91 yards, TOP 4:48
MT 23, NT 7
MT - ROOKER, Canon 36 yd field goal 8 plays, 54 yards, TOP 2:36
MT 23, NT 13
NT - SMITH, Kelvin 5 yd pass from FINE, Mason (FINE, Mason passfailed) 10 plays, 51 yards, TOP 2:20
MT 30, NT 13
MT - MATHERS, I. 46 yd run (ROOKER, Canon kick), 1 plays, 46 yards, TOP 0:11
Players Mentioned
Dominant defense keys 30-13 road win at North Texas
10/1/2016 10:24:00 PM | Football
Blue Raiders off to 4-1 start
The Blue Raiders improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in C-USA with a dominant defensive effort, strong special teams and another solid offensive demonstration. Middle Tennessee is off to its best start during the Rick Stockstill era. It's the best five-game start since the 2001 Blue Raiders opened 5-0 on their way to an eight-win season.
It was one of the most complete and dominant defensive showings recently. Middle Tennessee limited North Texas to 308 yards total offense. The Blue Raiders completely shut down the running game, allowing just five net yards rushing. They also surrendered just six third-down conversions out of 18 attempts.
After North Texas piled up 87 yards on its opening drive, Middle Tennessee's defense allowed just
221 yards the rest of the way. The Blue Raiders held North Texas scoreless on nine straight drives after its opening drive until a score late in the fourth quarter.
Darius Harris led the defense with nine tackles and one for loss. Jeremy Cutrer collected eight tackles, six solo and 1.5 tackles for loss. Dontavious Heard was outstanding with seven total tackles, six solo, one sack, one tackle for loss and two pass break-ups. Steven Rhodes had two tackles for loss and one sack.
The offense got going after a slow start. Brent Stockstill had another exceptional outing, completing 24-of-45 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. I'Tavius Mathers continued his dominance on the ground. Mathers led the ground attack with 135 yards on 24 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown. Richie James also exceeded 100-yards receiving with 134 on eight catches.
Middle Tennessee collected 477 yards total offense, showing great balance with 295 passing and 182 rushing.
Special teams also were solid, led by Canon Rooker booting all three of his field goal attempts.
North Texas put together an impressive opening drive to take a 7-0 lead when it capped a 17-play, 87-yard drive with Jeffrey Wilson's 1-yard plunge.
After being blanked in the first quarter, Middle Tennessee scored 13 unanswered points to eventually take the lead before halftime. It started with consecutive field goals from Canon Rooker to cap impressive drives. Rooker's 25-yard effort narrowed the deficit to 7-3 with 12:58 remaining in the half. He was true once again on the next drive with a 34-yard field goal to cut the North Texas lead to one, 7-6 with 9:24 remaining.
Middle Tennessee's defense continued to play well after giving up the opening scoring drive. The Blue Raiders were able to keep North Texas off of the scoreboard for four consecutive drives from the end of the first quarter until halftime.
The Blue Raider defense allowed just 126 total yards in the first half and smothered the Mean Green ground game, allowing minus seven yards rushing in the first two quarters.
The offensive unit finally got into the end zone to provide Middle Tennessee with its first lead with 34 seconds remaining in the first half. Stockstill rifled an 11-yard scoring strike to Dennis Andrews to cap a 10-play, 84-yard drive in 3:49 for a 13-7 Blue Raider advantage.
Middle Tennessee added to the lead when Stockstill connected with Ty Lee for a 9-yard touchdown on a big third-and-six play late in the third quarter. Rooker's point after pushed the Blue Raider lead to 20-7 with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.
Rooker continued his superlative work by starting the fourth quarter scoring with a 36-yard field goal to push the lead to 23-7 with 14:05 remaining.
After North Texas scored a late touchdown to pull to within 23-13 (the 2-point conversion failed), Mathers put the finishing touches on victory with his 46-yard jaunt into the end zone.
The Blue Raiders will have a bye next Saturday before putting its C-USA lead on the line against WKU for Homecoming, Oct. 15.
MT POSTGAME NOTES
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were OL Chandler Brewer, LB Darius Harris and S Darryl Randolph.
BEST START UNDER STOCK: With tonight's win over North Texas, Middle Tennessee ran its record to 4-1 on the season which goes down as the best start after five games since 2001. In 2001, MT started 5-0 and went on to earn a Co-Sun Belt Championship.
JAMES TOPS 100: WR Richie James turned in his seventh career 100-yard receiving game tonight against North Texas. That ties him for third all-time at MT with Tyrone Calico and Demetric Mostiller. James finished with 134 yards on eight receptions.
LONG DRIVE: Middle Tennessee's 91-yard scoring drive in the third quarter went down as the longest of the season. It was also the 20th 90+ yard scoring drive under Rick Stockstill.
CAREER DAY FOR ROOKER: Junior Canon Rooker turned in a career-best night against North Texas. Rooker connected on a personal-high three field goals to key the Blue Raiders' first conference road win of the season. Rooker hit from 25, 34 and 36 yards.
SECOND HALF RAIDERS: In 2016, the Blue Raiders have proven to be a very strong second half team. For the year, MT is outscoring the opposition, 78-34, in the second half and own a 62-20 advantage the last three games.
I-TRAIN IS ROLLING: Over the last three games, there may not be a more productive player in the country than I'Tavius Mathers. In the three games, Mathers has combined for 455 yards rushing, 184 yards receiving and nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving). He continued his recent tear with 135 yards on 24 carries, including a 46-yard rushing touchdown. Mathers has eclipsed 100 yards in three straight games.
QUICK HITTERS: WR Jevontey Smith made his first career catch in the third quarter against UNT … Jonathan Roth, an offensive lineman, made his first career start tonight as a tight end … Brent Stockstill has now thrown at least one TD in 11 straight games … DT Shaquille Huff started his team-leading 30th straight game today … Steven Rhodes, Shaquille Huff, and Hunter Rogers all played in their team-leading 43rd career game today.
VICTORY TICKET SPECIAL: The Blue Raiders have a victory ticket special for their Homecoming battle against rival WKU. All day Sunday (Oct. 2) from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm, Middle Tennessee will have a $25 sideline reserved seat for only $15 to attend the upcoming MT vs WKU game on Oct. 15. Fans must visit GoBlueRaiders.com and enter Promo Code – "HOMECOMING". The discount will not show until seats are selected. These seats will be limited so customers are encouraged to act quickly.
