Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
What to watch for against UAB
10/13/2017 3:00:00 PM | Football
First meeting since 2014
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Middle Tennessee got its first Conference USA win of the season last week against FIU, and this week the Blue Raiders will try to get over the .500 mark for the first time in 2017 when they travel to UAB.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: beIN Sports (Dish: 408, DirecTV: 620, Comcast: 708, Verizon: 598, AT&T: 1662)
Radio: 102.5 FM, 89.5 FM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM, 1450 AM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
The Raiders (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA) roll into Birmingham on a high after a big 37-17 win over FIU, but the Blazers (3-2, 1-1) may be riding even higher. They're in the midst of their first season back in Division I football after terminating their program in December 2014, and last week they got their first conference win in two years with a victory over LA Tech.
It'll be the first matchup between the schools since 2014, a 34-22 MT win in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders own a 3-2 advantage in five meetings.
"This is going to be a really tough challenge for us, and that's not coach speak saying that," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "This is a good football team we're getting ready to play."
The game will also be the first time UAB redshirt junior quarterback A.J. Erdely will get to face his former team. He spent two seasons (2013-14) at MT before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College then UAB.
Here's what to watch for Saturday:
Can Middle Tennessee be turnover-free again?
Middle Tennessee has been bad in the turnover department this season (-8 turnover margin). But, the Blue Raiders are coming off their best game in terms of keeping possession and forcing takeaways.
MT hadn't won the turnover battle in any of its first five games, but last week against FIU the Raiders finally broke through, never giving the ball away while forcing two Panther turnovers.
A lot of Middle Tennessee's turnover fate naturally falls on the shoulders of quarterback John Urzua, who'll likely start again this week in place of Brent Stockstill. The redshirt sophomore is coming off the first full game of his career that he finished with no giveaways, but he and the Blue Raider passing attack are in for a test Saturday.
The Blazers give up just 185 yards per game through the air (second in C-USA), and the last two weeks they limited North Texas and LA Tech, the league's leading (295 yards per game) and fourth-best (258.7) passing offenses, to just 261 and 209 yards.
UAB has only picked off four opponent passes, but Urzua will still have to be on his game to guide the Blue Raider offense and, more importantly, hold on to the ball.
"I said it after the game, [Urzua] made some poor throws against FIU, but the poor throws resulted in incompletions," Coach Stockstill said. "In the past, his poor throws have resulted in interceptions, or poor decisions have resulted in interceptions.
"[UAB has] a good defense. Their corners, I think, are really good … John's got to make smart decisions and do what he's coached to do."
Middle Tennessee's offense can't take all of the blame for the bad turnover margin. Its defense, while proving to be very much improved under new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer, has just four takeaways this season (two fumble recoveries and interceptions each).
The Blazers have been good at keeping possession this season, giving up only six turnovers so far, so the Blue Raider defense will have to find a way to capitalize on a limited number of mistakes.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence [on defense], playing with a lot of effort and intensity," Coach Stockstill said. "I like what we're doing defensively."
Raiders getting healthier
The first half of the 2017 season for Middle Tennessee has been filled with significant injuries to some of the team's best weapons, most notably on the offensive side.
Starting quarterback Brent Stockstill, star receiver Richie James, offensive lineman Chandler Brewer, receivers Shane Tucker and Patrick Smith, and running back Terelle West have all missed time, some significant time, due to injury. Even defensive linemen Walter Brady and Malik Manciel and corner back Mike Minter have been bitten by the injury bug.
While the injuries have mounted, most have returned healthy. Brewer, Tucker, Smith, Brady, West and Minter all returned to action and were contributors to last week's win. Manciel is expected to return against UAB after missing last week's game.
This week's big name that could enter back into the fold for the Blue Raider offense is James, who hasn't played since an ankle injury forced him out of action in Week 3 against Minnesota (only played 10 snaps). He's still a game-time decision, but upped his practice time this week.
If James can return, he'll add to an MT passing attack that has really found its footing over the last three games. Urzua is averaging 308.3 yards through the air over that span, and Ty Lee has been his go-to man. The sophomore wideout is tied for the C-USA lead with 5.8 catches per game, and over the last three he's averaged 7.3 receptions and 94.3 yards per contest.
Can Middle Tennessee win the line of scrimmage?
Middle Tennessee has shown when it can dominate the line of scrimmage it can be successful.
Last week against FIU, the Blue Raiders didn't give up a sack but took down the Panther QB four times, three coming from two-time and reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Week Khalil Brooks.
The MT offensive line, which has given up 10 sacks this season, will have to be good once again against a UAB defensive front that has at times struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks. The Blazers have just seven sacks, two coming last week against LA Tech.
Likewise, Middle Tennessee's defensive front, with 15 sacks this season (third in C-USA), will again have to show up ready to be aggressive and get into the Blazer backfield. UAB has had trouble keeping quarterback A.J. Erdely upright at times this season, giving up 13 sacks.
Winning the line of scrimmage also means being successful in the rushing game, and the Blue Raiders will have their hands full in that department.
It's no secret UAB wants to run the ball with freshman Spencer Brown (168 yards rushing last week) and Erdely, who's third in C-USA with seven rushing TDs. Middle Tennessee's C-USA second-ranked rushing defense will have to be effective, and offensively freshman running back Brad Anderson (112 yards rushing last week) and company need to again be good.
Who will win on third down?
It was a horrid start for the Blue Raiders this season on third down, converting just six of their first 38 in the first three games.
Things looked to be on an upward swing against Bowling Green and FAU, but last week against FIU Middle Tennessee again struggled, converting just twice in eight attempts.
While the Blue Raiders have struggled on third down offensively this season, UAB has proven to be the best in the league. The Blazers currently rank first in C-USA with a 48.6 third-down conversion percentage, and could be a tough match for MT's C-USA fifth-ranked third down defense (38.7 opponent conversion percentage).
Who scores first?
The Blazers are going into the game on an emotional high after recording their first league win in two years in thrilling fashion last week against LA Tech.
The home crowd will surely be rocking and loud, so it will be imperative that Middle Tennessee comes out strong from the start. UAB has scored first in three straight games, and if the Blue Raiders allow the Blazers to again find pay dirt early on, the crowd could make things tough for the blue and white.
"It's about us," Coach Stockstill said. "It's about us going and executing, playing better and being able to handle different looks. Offensively for us, being able to handle the different looks we're going to see from them defensively. On the defensive side of the ball, continue to play aggressive, continue to play smart football like we've done most of the time this year."
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: beIN Sports (Dish: 408, DirecTV: 620, Comcast: 708, Verizon: 598, AT&T: 1662)
Radio: 102.5 FM, 89.5 FM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM, 1450 AM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
The Raiders (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA) roll into Birmingham on a high after a big 37-17 win over FIU, but the Blazers (3-2, 1-1) may be riding even higher. They're in the midst of their first season back in Division I football after terminating their program in December 2014, and last week they got their first conference win in two years with a victory over LA Tech.
It'll be the first matchup between the schools since 2014, a 34-22 MT win in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders own a 3-2 advantage in five meetings.
"This is going to be a really tough challenge for us, and that's not coach speak saying that," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "This is a good football team we're getting ready to play."
The game will also be the first time UAB redshirt junior quarterback A.J. Erdely will get to face his former team. He spent two seasons (2013-14) at MT before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College then UAB.
Here's what to watch for Saturday:
Can Middle Tennessee be turnover-free again?
Middle Tennessee has been bad in the turnover department this season (-8 turnover margin). But, the Blue Raiders are coming off their best game in terms of keeping possession and forcing takeaways.
MT hadn't won the turnover battle in any of its first five games, but last week against FIU the Raiders finally broke through, never giving the ball away while forcing two Panther turnovers.
A lot of Middle Tennessee's turnover fate naturally falls on the shoulders of quarterback John Urzua, who'll likely start again this week in place of Brent Stockstill. The redshirt sophomore is coming off the first full game of his career that he finished with no giveaways, but he and the Blue Raider passing attack are in for a test Saturday.
The Blazers give up just 185 yards per game through the air (second in C-USA), and the last two weeks they limited North Texas and LA Tech, the league's leading (295 yards per game) and fourth-best (258.7) passing offenses, to just 261 and 209 yards.
UAB has only picked off four opponent passes, but Urzua will still have to be on his game to guide the Blue Raider offense and, more importantly, hold on to the ball.
"I said it after the game, [Urzua] made some poor throws against FIU, but the poor throws resulted in incompletions," Coach Stockstill said. "In the past, his poor throws have resulted in interceptions, or poor decisions have resulted in interceptions.
"[UAB has] a good defense. Their corners, I think, are really good … John's got to make smart decisions and do what he's coached to do."
Middle Tennessee's offense can't take all of the blame for the bad turnover margin. Its defense, while proving to be very much improved under new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer, has just four takeaways this season (two fumble recoveries and interceptions each).
The Blazers have been good at keeping possession this season, giving up only six turnovers so far, so the Blue Raider defense will have to find a way to capitalize on a limited number of mistakes.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence [on defense], playing with a lot of effort and intensity," Coach Stockstill said. "I like what we're doing defensively."
Raiders getting healthier
The first half of the 2017 season for Middle Tennessee has been filled with significant injuries to some of the team's best weapons, most notably on the offensive side.
Starting quarterback Brent Stockstill, star receiver Richie James, offensive lineman Chandler Brewer, receivers Shane Tucker and Patrick Smith, and running back Terelle West have all missed time, some significant time, due to injury. Even defensive linemen Walter Brady and Malik Manciel and corner back Mike Minter have been bitten by the injury bug.
While the injuries have mounted, most have returned healthy. Brewer, Tucker, Smith, Brady, West and Minter all returned to action and were contributors to last week's win. Manciel is expected to return against UAB after missing last week's game.
This week's big name that could enter back into the fold for the Blue Raider offense is James, who hasn't played since an ankle injury forced him out of action in Week 3 against Minnesota (only played 10 snaps). He's still a game-time decision, but upped his practice time this week.
If James can return, he'll add to an MT passing attack that has really found its footing over the last three games. Urzua is averaging 308.3 yards through the air over that span, and Ty Lee has been his go-to man. The sophomore wideout is tied for the C-USA lead with 5.8 catches per game, and over the last three he's averaged 7.3 receptions and 94.3 yards per contest.
Can Middle Tennessee win the line of scrimmage?
Middle Tennessee has shown when it can dominate the line of scrimmage it can be successful.
Last week against FIU, the Blue Raiders didn't give up a sack but took down the Panther QB four times, three coming from two-time and reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Week Khalil Brooks.
The MT offensive line, which has given up 10 sacks this season, will have to be good once again against a UAB defensive front that has at times struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks. The Blazers have just seven sacks, two coming last week against LA Tech.
Likewise, Middle Tennessee's defensive front, with 15 sacks this season (third in C-USA), will again have to show up ready to be aggressive and get into the Blazer backfield. UAB has had trouble keeping quarterback A.J. Erdely upright at times this season, giving up 13 sacks.
Winning the line of scrimmage also means being successful in the rushing game, and the Blue Raiders will have their hands full in that department.
It's no secret UAB wants to run the ball with freshman Spencer Brown (168 yards rushing last week) and Erdely, who's third in C-USA with seven rushing TDs. Middle Tennessee's C-USA second-ranked rushing defense will have to be effective, and offensively freshman running back Brad Anderson (112 yards rushing last week) and company need to again be good.
Who will win on third down?
It was a horrid start for the Blue Raiders this season on third down, converting just six of their first 38 in the first three games.
Things looked to be on an upward swing against Bowling Green and FAU, but last week against FIU Middle Tennessee again struggled, converting just twice in eight attempts.
While the Blue Raiders have struggled on third down offensively this season, UAB has proven to be the best in the league. The Blazers currently rank first in C-USA with a 48.6 third-down conversion percentage, and could be a tough match for MT's C-USA fifth-ranked third down defense (38.7 opponent conversion percentage).
Who scores first?
The Blazers are going into the game on an emotional high after recording their first league win in two years in thrilling fashion last week against LA Tech.
The home crowd will surely be rocking and loud, so it will be imperative that Middle Tennessee comes out strong from the start. UAB has scored first in three straight games, and if the Blue Raiders allow the Blazers to again find pay dirt early on, the crowd could make things tough for the blue and white.
"It's about us," Coach Stockstill said. "It's about us going and executing, playing better and being able to handle different looks. Offensively for us, being able to handle the different looks we're going to see from them defensively. On the defensive side of the ball, continue to play aggressive, continue to play smart football like we've done most of the time this year."
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