Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Raiders dealing with expectations as practice begins
8/2/2016 7:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO - With summer practice just two days away, the Middle Tennessee football team held its first press conference of the season Tuesday at Floyd Stadium.
Just like every summer, there are questions the Blue Raiders have to answer in the limited time before Alabama A&M comes to town in Week 1 on Sept. 3. Those questions didn't seem to tone down the excitement of the coaches and players on Tuesday, though.
"It's an exciting time for us … we're really looking forward to getting started tomorrow," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Our guys have had a good summer program. I feel like we're in good shape as we report.
"Like I said many times this summer … I really believe in this team. We've got some holes obviously we have to fill and there are some question marks out there that we have to get answered in August, but I'm really looking forward to this season getting started."
With handfuls of talent returning on both sides of the ball this season, expectations are high for the Blue Raiders. They were picked by Conference USA media members to win the Conference USA East Division after finishing second in the division in 2015 with a 6-2 conference record.
Though outside expectations may be high, redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill said internally the MT players and coaches know they still have something to prove.
"It sounds cliché, but it's very humbling to know people have that confidence in you that we can possibly win the east, win the conference," he said. "That's a great expectation for us, but it's nothing if we don't do anything with it. Right now it's good, but it won't mean anything until we go out there Sept. 3 and get the season cranked up."
Part of the equation for why expectations are so high is the amount of talent returning on the offensive side of the ball, headlined by Brent Stockstill and fellow redshirt sophomore wide receiver Richie James, who were both named freshman All-Americans.
Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who was previously at Middle Tennessee in 2009 as offensive coordinator, is entering his first season this go-around after three years in the same position at Cal.
While the offense tends to get headlines because of its record-setting play last year that set school records in points scored and yards gained, Franklin said the defense, led by defensive coordinator Ty Nix, will ultimately lead to wins this season.
"My job is to get the best out of them – that's what a good coach does," Franklin said. "That being said, I'm lucky to sit across from Ty [Nix]. I've never, since I've been coaching, ever heard of or seen anybody win a championship without playing good defense. We'll play good defense, I guarantee you that, and we'll do our job on the other side of the ball."
The defense lost three starting linebackers from a season ago and both of its starting safeties. To help new guys step in and become acclimated to the speed of the game, the defensive line, which starts four seniors, and returning cornerbacks Jeremy Cutrer (Sr.) and Mike Minter (Jr.) will have to provide key leadership and consistency.
"We feel like [the defensive line] is a strength of ours, and we have to use that a lot to help our secondary be more effective, also," Nix said. "I think overall our secondary, and specifically our corners, the depth of the two deep at both positions is probably as good as what we've had since I've been here."
Starting with Thursday's practice, the first four days of camp will be done without full pads. Coach Stockstill said that will be a time for the players to get back into true football shape and for the coaches to see who is going to give effort.
"The first week is conditioning and assignments," he said. "Now you have to get in football shape – Jason [Spray] has been running them out there, but now you're stopping, planting, changing directions, you're banging on people, leaning on people.
"They're going to mess up, but just the effort – I talk about effort all the time – effort is more important than talent."
To see a full list of summer practice times, visit the MT Athletics website.
For those who want to get a little more personal with this year's football, volleyball and soccer teams, the annual Fan Day at Floyd Stadium will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Aug. 14.
Season and single-game football tickets are on sale now. Visit the Middle Tennessee Athletics website and go to the Tickets page to purchase.
Just like every summer, there are questions the Blue Raiders have to answer in the limited time before Alabama A&M comes to town in Week 1 on Sept. 3. Those questions didn't seem to tone down the excitement of the coaches and players on Tuesday, though.
"It's an exciting time for us … we're really looking forward to getting started tomorrow," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Our guys have had a good summer program. I feel like we're in good shape as we report.
"Like I said many times this summer … I really believe in this team. We've got some holes obviously we have to fill and there are some question marks out there that we have to get answered in August, but I'm really looking forward to this season getting started."
With handfuls of talent returning on both sides of the ball this season, expectations are high for the Blue Raiders. They were picked by Conference USA media members to win the Conference USA East Division after finishing second in the division in 2015 with a 6-2 conference record.
Though outside expectations may be high, redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill said internally the MT players and coaches know they still have something to prove.
"It sounds cliché, but it's very humbling to know people have that confidence in you that we can possibly win the east, win the conference," he said. "That's a great expectation for us, but it's nothing if we don't do anything with it. Right now it's good, but it won't mean anything until we go out there Sept. 3 and get the season cranked up."
Part of the equation for why expectations are so high is the amount of talent returning on the offensive side of the ball, headlined by Brent Stockstill and fellow redshirt sophomore wide receiver Richie James, who were both named freshman All-Americans.
Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who was previously at Middle Tennessee in 2009 as offensive coordinator, is entering his first season this go-around after three years in the same position at Cal.
While the offense tends to get headlines because of its record-setting play last year that set school records in points scored and yards gained, Franklin said the defense, led by defensive coordinator Ty Nix, will ultimately lead to wins this season.
"My job is to get the best out of them – that's what a good coach does," Franklin said. "That being said, I'm lucky to sit across from Ty [Nix]. I've never, since I've been coaching, ever heard of or seen anybody win a championship without playing good defense. We'll play good defense, I guarantee you that, and we'll do our job on the other side of the ball."
The defense lost three starting linebackers from a season ago and both of its starting safeties. To help new guys step in and become acclimated to the speed of the game, the defensive line, which starts four seniors, and returning cornerbacks Jeremy Cutrer (Sr.) and Mike Minter (Jr.) will have to provide key leadership and consistency.
"We feel like [the defensive line] is a strength of ours, and we have to use that a lot to help our secondary be more effective, also," Nix said. "I think overall our secondary, and specifically our corners, the depth of the two deep at both positions is probably as good as what we've had since I've been here."
Starting with Thursday's practice, the first four days of camp will be done without full pads. Coach Stockstill said that will be a time for the players to get back into true football shape and for the coaches to see who is going to give effort.
"The first week is conditioning and assignments," he said. "Now you have to get in football shape – Jason [Spray] has been running them out there, but now you're stopping, planting, changing directions, you're banging on people, leaning on people.
"They're going to mess up, but just the effort – I talk about effort all the time – effort is more important than talent."
To see a full list of summer practice times, visit the MT Athletics website.
For those who want to get a little more personal with this year's football, volleyball and soccer teams, the annual Fan Day at Floyd Stadium will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Aug. 14.
Season and single-game football tickets are on sale now. Visit the Middle Tennessee Athletics website and go to the Tickets page to purchase.
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