Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Bowl eligible Raiders prepare for tough test Saturday
10/31/2016 3:30:00 PM | Football
Face a fast and athletic UTSA team
MURFREESBORO - Middle Tennessee returns home Saturday fresh off becoming bowl eligible with its sixth win of the season over FIU.
The Blue Raiders welcome UTSA to Floyd Stadium a week after they beat FIU 42-35. Junior linebacker DJ Sanders was the hero of the game, coming up with a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:22 left to send the Raiders to victory.
"I'm really proud of our effort in getting that win on the road," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Like I've said many times, it's hard to win games, it's hard to win conference games and it's doubly hard to win on the road."
The win over FIU was the fourth road victory this season for the Blue Raiders. They are one of just five FBS teams nationally to achieve that feat so far this year.
"That's something we've been really good at," redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill said. "I think it just speaks to the maturity of our team and the character we have on both sides of the ball to stay focused."
As Middle Tennessee shifts its focus to UTSA, Coach Stockstill said his team is anticipating another close, tough game against a very fast and athletic Roadrunner squad in its first season under head coach Frank Wilson.
The Blue Raiders have almost become accustomed to close games. Four of their last five contests have been decided by a touchdown or less. The Raiders are 3-1 in those games.
"The thing that stands out the most to me is [UTSA] is an extremely fast team," Rick Stockstill said. "They play extremely tough and physical, so we have to do a great job. This week is going to be another four-quarter game, another tough, physical game that we have to get ready to play."
Both teams are expecting a clean matchup where one turnover could be a game-changer. Middle Tennessee is currently ranked second in Conference USA with just eight turnovers committed, while UTSA is third with nine. They're also second and third, respectively, with a plus-five and plus-four turnover margin this season.
Even though the Roadrunners have shown they are stingy when it comes to giving the ball up, the Blue Raider defense is on a hot streak for forcing fumbles. In their last two games they have forced six cough ups and recovered four of them.
"Sometimes the ball bounces your way and you can get [turnovers]," Rick Stockstill said. "When that opportunity comes, you can't be a hand-clapper, like I say. You have to make a play when your opportunity comes, and we did that last week."
The Roadrunners will try to get after the MT defense with a rushing attack behind a two-headed monster of Jalen Rhodes (74.9 rushing yards per game) and Jarveon Williams (58.9 rushing yards per game).
On the other side of the ball, UTSA not only sports one of the better turnover defenses in the conference, but also it ranks second by giving up 26.9 points per game to opponents.
"Just the athleticism of this defense is something that has stood out all year," Brent Stockstill said. "They pose a threat with every position on the field … so we'll have to have a great plan and find some ways to attack them."
MT will counter with three offensive weapons that either recently set or are on their way to setting school records this season.
Brent Stockstill set a school record Saturday with his 56th career touchdown pass, while redshirt senior running back I'Tavius Mathers became the first running back under Rick Stockstill to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a season. He also has six-straight 100-yard rushing games, one shy of tying the school record.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Richie James, who went over 1,000 yards on the season with a 127-yard performance against FIU, is on pace to break his own school record of 1,346 receiving yards last year. He's had more than 100 yards receiving in four-straight games.
With another short road trip ahead after Saturday's game, the Blue Raiders are ready to finally put on another show on their home turf this week.
"It's nice to play back at home again. It's a great feeling to be back in old Floyd [Stadium]," Sanders said.
They are hoping their home field loving feeling can result in a win, which would give the Blue Raiders their first 7-2 start since 2001.
The Blue Raiders welcome UTSA to Floyd Stadium a week after they beat FIU 42-35. Junior linebacker DJ Sanders was the hero of the game, coming up with a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:22 left to send the Raiders to victory.
"I'm really proud of our effort in getting that win on the road," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Like I've said many times, it's hard to win games, it's hard to win conference games and it's doubly hard to win on the road."
The win over FIU was the fourth road victory this season for the Blue Raiders. They are one of just five FBS teams nationally to achieve that feat so far this year.
"That's something we've been really good at," redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill said. "I think it just speaks to the maturity of our team and the character we have on both sides of the ball to stay focused."
As Middle Tennessee shifts its focus to UTSA, Coach Stockstill said his team is anticipating another close, tough game against a very fast and athletic Roadrunner squad in its first season under head coach Frank Wilson.
The Blue Raiders have almost become accustomed to close games. Four of their last five contests have been decided by a touchdown or less. The Raiders are 3-1 in those games.
"The thing that stands out the most to me is [UTSA] is an extremely fast team," Rick Stockstill said. "They play extremely tough and physical, so we have to do a great job. This week is going to be another four-quarter game, another tough, physical game that we have to get ready to play."
Both teams are expecting a clean matchup where one turnover could be a game-changer. Middle Tennessee is currently ranked second in Conference USA with just eight turnovers committed, while UTSA is third with nine. They're also second and third, respectively, with a plus-five and plus-four turnover margin this season.
Even though the Roadrunners have shown they are stingy when it comes to giving the ball up, the Blue Raider defense is on a hot streak for forcing fumbles. In their last two games they have forced six cough ups and recovered four of them.
"Sometimes the ball bounces your way and you can get [turnovers]," Rick Stockstill said. "When that opportunity comes, you can't be a hand-clapper, like I say. You have to make a play when your opportunity comes, and we did that last week."
The Roadrunners will try to get after the MT defense with a rushing attack behind a two-headed monster of Jalen Rhodes (74.9 rushing yards per game) and Jarveon Williams (58.9 rushing yards per game).
On the other side of the ball, UTSA not only sports one of the better turnover defenses in the conference, but also it ranks second by giving up 26.9 points per game to opponents.
"Just the athleticism of this defense is something that has stood out all year," Brent Stockstill said. "They pose a threat with every position on the field … so we'll have to have a great plan and find some ways to attack them."
MT will counter with three offensive weapons that either recently set or are on their way to setting school records this season.
Brent Stockstill set a school record Saturday with his 56th career touchdown pass, while redshirt senior running back I'Tavius Mathers became the first running back under Rick Stockstill to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a season. He also has six-straight 100-yard rushing games, one shy of tying the school record.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Richie James, who went over 1,000 yards on the season with a 127-yard performance against FIU, is on pace to break his own school record of 1,346 receiving yards last year. He's had more than 100 yards receiving in four-straight games.
With another short road trip ahead after Saturday's game, the Blue Raiders are ready to finally put on another show on their home turf this week.
"It's nice to play back at home again. It's a great feeling to be back in old Floyd [Stadium]," Sanders said.
They are hoping their home field loving feeling can result in a win, which would give the Blue Raiders their first 7-2 start since 2001.
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