Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Stockstill happy as both units shine in second scrimmage
4/9/2016 12:58:00 PM | Football
Spring Game next Saturday
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee's football team completed its second scrimmage of spring practice with a 75-play workout at sun-splashed Floyd Stadium Saturday.
Both the offensive and defensive units had their moments but, overall, the defense continued to make great strides throughout the spring and the unit's progress was on display once again Saturday.
Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Stockstill said he was pleased with the overall scrimmage and saw improvement on both sides of the ball.
"I was really pleased with today's scrimmage," Stockstill said. "We had a lot of energy, focus and attacked the day with a purpose. Defensively, we played fast and I thought we got better on that side today. I thought the offense did a good job of finishing drives. We threw it well and Richie James was very explosive. Terry Pettis also made some nice catches. I thought our backs ran well."
Junior corner Mike Minter continued to impress as he hauled in his second interception in as many scrimmages and patrolled the secondary well. Justin Akins, Azar Wilson and Trae Philpotts came up with sacks and the defensive front combined for eight total tackles for loss with eight different players each collecting one.
Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said he was abundantly pleased with the defensive effort, but he is excited to see how much additional progress the group makes between today's scrimmage and next week's Spring Game.
"I'm happier about today's performance than I was last Saturday," Nix said. "We played as one heartbeat, got a lot of fourth-down stops, and were aggressive. Our guys continue to show up on the defensive line and provide pressure, and Mike Minter keeps making plays."
By his own admission, quarterback Brent Stockstill was not as sharp as he would have preferred in last week's first scrimmage, but the rising sophomore more than made up for it Saturday. Brent Stockstill was dialed in from the get-go and locked in with his receivers, particularly sophomore Richie James.
"We were a lot better today than last week," Brent Stockstill said. "We came out and improved in the areas we needed to, like finishing drives and scoring in the red zone. I think we need to clean up on some penalties, but it was a good day overall."
The All-American combination of Brent Stockstill and James combined for four receptions, 100 yards and two of the four touchdowns scored. Brent Stockstill was 12-for-18 for 187 yards and four touchdowns. James hauled in four catches for 100 yards and two of the scores.
Brent Stockstill also connected with Terry Pettis and Shane Tucker for 7-yard touchdown passes, respectively. Pettis finished the day with two grabs for 38 yards and Demetrius Frazier added two catches for 35 yards.
Desmond Anderson and Kamani Thomas led the ground attack with a combined 92 yards. Thomas had 46 yards on eight rushes, while Anderson finished 46 yards on seven carries. Brian Kimbrow added 35 yards on five carries.
Kicker Canon Rooker also had an above-average day. He was 3-for-5 on field goal tries, converting from 34-, 42-, and 47-yards, while misfiring from 34- and 39-yards. In the pre-scrimmage portion of the workout, Rooker was 4-for-6 with makes from 38-, 43-, 46-, and 49-yards. His misses were from 45- and 49-yards.
"I feel everything is going well," said Rooker, who is competing to become the place-kicker on extra points and field goals after spending last season as the kickoff specialist. "It is different kicking field goals and extra points, than kickoffs. On kickoffs, the ball is placed for you and you don't have to count on as many people. You have to count on more people to do their job well and you have to do your job on place-kicking. I'm working hard and getting better every practice."
The Blue Raider offense started early. Brent Stockstill and company marched 70 yards in nine plays and capped the drive with Pettis' 7-yard pass from Brent Stockstill, who was 3-for-5 from 35 yards on the drive. After the second unit stalled, Brent Stockstill and James combined for the most explosive play of the day.
Brent Stockstill dropped back on the first play from scrimmage, rifled a pass to James 30 yards downfield and the speedy, shifty receiver did the rest as he took it 70 yards to paydirt.
Middle Tennessee's Spring Game will take place inside Floyd Stadium, April 16, at 1 p.m.
Both the offensive and defensive units had their moments but, overall, the defense continued to make great strides throughout the spring and the unit's progress was on display once again Saturday.
Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Stockstill said he was pleased with the overall scrimmage and saw improvement on both sides of the ball.
"I was really pleased with today's scrimmage," Stockstill said. "We had a lot of energy, focus and attacked the day with a purpose. Defensively, we played fast and I thought we got better on that side today. I thought the offense did a good job of finishing drives. We threw it well and Richie James was very explosive. Terry Pettis also made some nice catches. I thought our backs ran well."
Junior corner Mike Minter continued to impress as he hauled in his second interception in as many scrimmages and patrolled the secondary well. Justin Akins, Azar Wilson and Trae Philpotts came up with sacks and the defensive front combined for eight total tackles for loss with eight different players each collecting one.
Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said he was abundantly pleased with the defensive effort, but he is excited to see how much additional progress the group makes between today's scrimmage and next week's Spring Game.
"I'm happier about today's performance than I was last Saturday," Nix said. "We played as one heartbeat, got a lot of fourth-down stops, and were aggressive. Our guys continue to show up on the defensive line and provide pressure, and Mike Minter keeps making plays."
By his own admission, quarterback Brent Stockstill was not as sharp as he would have preferred in last week's first scrimmage, but the rising sophomore more than made up for it Saturday. Brent Stockstill was dialed in from the get-go and locked in with his receivers, particularly sophomore Richie James.
"We were a lot better today than last week," Brent Stockstill said. "We came out and improved in the areas we needed to, like finishing drives and scoring in the red zone. I think we need to clean up on some penalties, but it was a good day overall."
The All-American combination of Brent Stockstill and James combined for four receptions, 100 yards and two of the four touchdowns scored. Brent Stockstill was 12-for-18 for 187 yards and four touchdowns. James hauled in four catches for 100 yards and two of the scores.
Brent Stockstill also connected with Terry Pettis and Shane Tucker for 7-yard touchdown passes, respectively. Pettis finished the day with two grabs for 38 yards and Demetrius Frazier added two catches for 35 yards.
Desmond Anderson and Kamani Thomas led the ground attack with a combined 92 yards. Thomas had 46 yards on eight rushes, while Anderson finished 46 yards on seven carries. Brian Kimbrow added 35 yards on five carries.
Kicker Canon Rooker also had an above-average day. He was 3-for-5 on field goal tries, converting from 34-, 42-, and 47-yards, while misfiring from 34- and 39-yards. In the pre-scrimmage portion of the workout, Rooker was 4-for-6 with makes from 38-, 43-, 46-, and 49-yards. His misses were from 45- and 49-yards.
"I feel everything is going well," said Rooker, who is competing to become the place-kicker on extra points and field goals after spending last season as the kickoff specialist. "It is different kicking field goals and extra points, than kickoffs. On kickoffs, the ball is placed for you and you don't have to count on as many people. You have to count on more people to do their job well and you have to do your job on place-kicking. I'm working hard and getting better every practice."
The Blue Raider offense started early. Brent Stockstill and company marched 70 yards in nine plays and capped the drive with Pettis' 7-yard pass from Brent Stockstill, who was 3-for-5 from 35 yards on the drive. After the second unit stalled, Brent Stockstill and James combined for the most explosive play of the day.
Brent Stockstill dropped back on the first play from scrimmage, rifled a pass to James 30 yards downfield and the speedy, shifty receiver did the rest as he took it 70 yards to paydirt.
Middle Tennessee's Spring Game will take place inside Floyd Stadium, April 16, at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
DE
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CB
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WR
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WR
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WR
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PK
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QB
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RB
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ATH
/ Football
DE
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