Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Five observations from Saturday
10/16/2016 7:30:00 PM | Football
1. MT was effective in the rushing game against one of the conference's best. WKU went into Saturday leading Conference USA by giving up just 102.8 rushing yards per game and 2.7 yards per rush to opponents. Middle Tennessee wasn't scared to pound the ball on the ground with redshirt senior I'Tavius Mathers, though. The Murfreesboro native finished with 22 attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 725 yards and 10 TDs on the ground this season, good for 120.8 yards per game.
2. Blue Raiders played a very disciplined game. Middle Tennessee didn't start the game very disciplined, racking up four penalties for 30 yards in the first quarter. However, they calmed down and played with more poise the rest of the game and were not called for another penalty over the last three quarters. WKU was called for seven penalties for 64 yards.
3. WKU's explosive kickoff return game was subdued. The Blue Raiders came into the game focused on limiting the Hilltopper return game. They were ranked first in both punt and kickoff return average at 28.3 and 15.4 yards per attempt, respectively, and returner Kylen Towner led the league with a 40.8-yard return average. On Saturday, Middle Tennessee limited WKU to just 59 yards on four kickoff return attempts, and Towner had just one return for 20 yards. MT redshirt junior kicker Canon Rooker had three touchbacks. The Hilltoppers did not attempt a punt return.
4. Middle Tennessee's offensive line was good again. The Blue Raiders went into the game first in Conference USA with just four sacks allowed for 29 yards. The offensive line again came up big against WKU, which was third in the conference before the game with 16 sacks, by not giving up a sack. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill was hurried just three times.
5. First blocked kick in five years determined the game. Middle Tennessee had gone 62-straight games without having a PAT blocked. The last one, coincidentally, came against WKU in a 36-33 double overtime loss. The block Saturday was arguably the biggest play of the game, and because of it WKU was able to seal the win with a made extra point on its ensuing possession.
2. Blue Raiders played a very disciplined game. Middle Tennessee didn't start the game very disciplined, racking up four penalties for 30 yards in the first quarter. However, they calmed down and played with more poise the rest of the game and were not called for another penalty over the last three quarters. WKU was called for seven penalties for 64 yards.
3. WKU's explosive kickoff return game was subdued. The Blue Raiders came into the game focused on limiting the Hilltopper return game. They were ranked first in both punt and kickoff return average at 28.3 and 15.4 yards per attempt, respectively, and returner Kylen Towner led the league with a 40.8-yard return average. On Saturday, Middle Tennessee limited WKU to just 59 yards on four kickoff return attempts, and Towner had just one return for 20 yards. MT redshirt junior kicker Canon Rooker had three touchbacks. The Hilltoppers did not attempt a punt return.
4. Middle Tennessee's offensive line was good again. The Blue Raiders went into the game first in Conference USA with just four sacks allowed for 29 yards. The offensive line again came up big against WKU, which was third in the conference before the game with 16 sacks, by not giving up a sack. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill was hurried just three times.
5. First blocked kick in five years determined the game. Middle Tennessee had gone 62-straight games without having a PAT blocked. The last one, coincidentally, came against WKU in a 36-33 double overtime loss. The block Saturday was arguably the biggest play of the game, and because of it WKU was able to seal the win with a made extra point on its ensuing possession.
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