Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT aims to right the ship Friday vs. Marshall
10/16/2017 4:00:00 PM | Football
Blackout game to be broadcast on ESPN2
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A disappointing 25-23 loss to UAB in Week 7 will be followed by a little change in the routine for Middle Tennessee.
The Blue Raiders (3-4, 1-2 Conference USA) will come home to take on Marshall (5-1, 2-0) in MT's annual Blackout game Friday night at Floyd Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
"It ought to be an exciting game," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "It's a really good team we're playing … and they've got a lot of momentum. We've got to have a great week of preparation and a great week of practice."
Having a Friday night game will throw a slight curveball at both teams, as they'll have one less day to prepare than usual. That extra day could have gone a long way in helping Middle Tennessee recover from a physical contest at UAB, their seventh of eight games to start the season before a bye in Week 9.
One less day of practice means every rep will be that much more critical this week, though Coach Stockstill said they don't want to overdo things.
"You've got to be cognizant of your players' health," he said, "because they're coming off five weeks of preseason then seven games that we've played up to this date. At the same time, we have to get our work in."
Friday's matchup will be the seventh in the series between the Blue Raiders and Thundering Herd, with Marshall owning a 4-2 advantage. The home team has won every contest.
Last year's game went to the Herd, 42-17, in MT's first contest without injured quarterback Brent Stockstill, who went down the week prior with a broken collarbone.
Backup QB John Urzua stepped in and threw for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against Marshall last season. The redshirt sophomore will again be under center on Friday with Brent Stockstill still hampered by a sternum injury suffered in Week 2 against Syracuse.
Urzua has looked good at times since stepping in, throwing for 260.4 yards per game and six touchdowns through five games. However, he's also thrown eight interceptions, including two against UAB last week.
The tall righty will have to take care of the ball Friday if the Blue Raiders want to be victorious, especially against one of the best defensive units in the country. The Thundering Herd pace C-USA and rank ninth in the nation in scoring defense (15 points per game), and they haven't allowed a touchdown in two league games.
"We can't turn the ball over against this team," Coach Stockstill said. "We have to do a fantastic job of protecting the ball this week and be a lot more efficient offensively than we've been."
Not only will Urzua be looking for a bounce-back game after the two interceptions against UAB, but the Blue Raider defense will also be hungry to turn things around.
The MT stoppers have looked much improved at times this season, ranking 40th in the country in total defense and 57th in rushing defense. But, against UAB, they didn't play to their full potential, especially against the run. The Blazers rattled off 260 yards and two TDs on the ground on 40 attempts.
Luckily for the Blue Raiders, Marshall doesn't present an overwhelming rushing attack. However, junior quarterback Chase Litton, a three-year starter, will have to be kept in check. He threw for 246 yards and four TDs in last year's matchup.
"We're going to have to switch up pressures and disguise some stuff," senior linebacker D.J. Sanders said. "When the opportunity presents itself, we're going to have to make a play. He's probably going to throw the ball up once or twice, and when that opportunity comes we have to make a play."
Middle Tennessee finds itself in a tough position through three C-USA games. At 1-2, the Blue Raiders are 1.5 games behind Marshall and FAU in the East Division with one more game played than both.
With an uphill battle awaiting to try and get back into the division title race, MT will undoubtedly come out with a chip on its shoulder Friday, and the players may also get the added adrenaline rush from playing on national TV.
ESPN will televise nationally from Middle Tennessee on ESPN 2 for the first time since 2010.
"As players, you get excited to be on national television, and being on a Friday night, every other college football player in the country is going to be watching the game in their hotels," Coach Stockstill said. "You've got a chance to play in front of your peers … so our players will be excited, and I hope our students, everyone in town and our fans come out.
"It's a chance to show our program on national television … and I hope people come to our game and fill this thing up."
The Blue Raiders (3-4, 1-2 Conference USA) will come home to take on Marshall (5-1, 2-0) in MT's annual Blackout game Friday night at Floyd Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
"It ought to be an exciting game," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "It's a really good team we're playing … and they've got a lot of momentum. We've got to have a great week of preparation and a great week of practice."
Having a Friday night game will throw a slight curveball at both teams, as they'll have one less day to prepare than usual. That extra day could have gone a long way in helping Middle Tennessee recover from a physical contest at UAB, their seventh of eight games to start the season before a bye in Week 9.
One less day of practice means every rep will be that much more critical this week, though Coach Stockstill said they don't want to overdo things.
"You've got to be cognizant of your players' health," he said, "because they're coming off five weeks of preseason then seven games that we've played up to this date. At the same time, we have to get our work in."
Friday's matchup will be the seventh in the series between the Blue Raiders and Thundering Herd, with Marshall owning a 4-2 advantage. The home team has won every contest.
Last year's game went to the Herd, 42-17, in MT's first contest without injured quarterback Brent Stockstill, who went down the week prior with a broken collarbone.
Backup QB John Urzua stepped in and threw for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against Marshall last season. The redshirt sophomore will again be under center on Friday with Brent Stockstill still hampered by a sternum injury suffered in Week 2 against Syracuse.
Urzua has looked good at times since stepping in, throwing for 260.4 yards per game and six touchdowns through five games. However, he's also thrown eight interceptions, including two against UAB last week.
The tall righty will have to take care of the ball Friday if the Blue Raiders want to be victorious, especially against one of the best defensive units in the country. The Thundering Herd pace C-USA and rank ninth in the nation in scoring defense (15 points per game), and they haven't allowed a touchdown in two league games.
"We can't turn the ball over against this team," Coach Stockstill said. "We have to do a fantastic job of protecting the ball this week and be a lot more efficient offensively than we've been."
Not only will Urzua be looking for a bounce-back game after the two interceptions against UAB, but the Blue Raider defense will also be hungry to turn things around.
The MT stoppers have looked much improved at times this season, ranking 40th in the country in total defense and 57th in rushing defense. But, against UAB, they didn't play to their full potential, especially against the run. The Blazers rattled off 260 yards and two TDs on the ground on 40 attempts.
Luckily for the Blue Raiders, Marshall doesn't present an overwhelming rushing attack. However, junior quarterback Chase Litton, a three-year starter, will have to be kept in check. He threw for 246 yards and four TDs in last year's matchup.
"We're going to have to switch up pressures and disguise some stuff," senior linebacker D.J. Sanders said. "When the opportunity presents itself, we're going to have to make a play. He's probably going to throw the ball up once or twice, and when that opportunity comes we have to make a play."
Middle Tennessee finds itself in a tough position through three C-USA games. At 1-2, the Blue Raiders are 1.5 games behind Marshall and FAU in the East Division with one more game played than both.
With an uphill battle awaiting to try and get back into the division title race, MT will undoubtedly come out with a chip on its shoulder Friday, and the players may also get the added adrenaline rush from playing on national TV.
ESPN will televise nationally from Middle Tennessee on ESPN 2 for the first time since 2010.
"As players, you get excited to be on national television, and being on a Friday night, every other college football player in the country is going to be watching the game in their hotels," Coach Stockstill said. "You've got a chance to play in front of your peers … so our players will be excited, and I hope our students, everyone in town and our fans come out.
"It's a chance to show our program on national television … and I hope people come to our game and fill this thing up."
Players Mentioned
MTSU Football Weekly Press Conference 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
MTSU Football at Nevada highlights – 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
MTSU Football at Nevada Full Game Highlights – 9/13/25
Saturday, September 13
MTSU Football Postgame Press Conference @ Nevada on 09-13-25
Saturday, September 13
