Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, September 2
Murfreesboro, TN
7:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
vs
Vanderbilt University
What to watch for against Vanderbilt
9/1/2017 12:01:00 PM | Football
Kickoff set for 7:02 PM
GAME NOTES
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – College football season is upon us in Murfreesboro, and Blue Raider fans will get the opportunity to see Middle Tennessee begin the season firsthand Saturday against an in-state foe.
Vanderbilt will make the short drive from Nashville to the 'Boro for a 7:02 p.m. kickoff. It will be the 18th meeting between the two schools separated by a mere 37 miles, with the Commodores owning a 14-3 advantage and 2-0 mark at Middle Tennessee.
Since the 2001 season, MT has fared well against its Southeastern Conference opponent, winning three of the five contests in the series. However, the Blue Raiders have lost two in a row and haven't beaten the Dores since 2005, the last of a three-game win streak that included the 2001 and 2002 matchups.
The games have also been close since Middle Tennessee's jump to the FBS in the 2000 season. Four of the five games have been decided by less than 10 points, three of which were less than a touchdown.
Last year's meeting in Nashville was not one of those nail-biting affairs, as far as the 47-24 final score read. However, the contest was closer than the scoreboard may indicate.
Despite early miscues, including two turnovers and a muffed punt leading to a safety early in the first half, the Blue Raiders outgained Vandy 495-344 in total yards and trailed following a rain delay 19-17 with five minutes left in the first half.
From that point on, though, the Commodores racked up 285 total yards of offense, compared to just 59 before the hour-and-44-minute rain stoppage.
Middle Tennessee will have to find a way to get out of the gates against Vanderbilt well like it did in 2016, but it will also need to find a way to sustain it if the Blue Raiders want to be victorious for the first time in a season-opening matchup with a Power 5 conference program.
Here are some other things to watch for:
New-look MT defense
Fans will notice a new, revamped Blue Raider defense this season led by a new coordinator.
Scott Shafer was hired to the position in January after taking a year off of coaching in 2016. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Syracuse for three seasons after being the Orange defensive coordinator for four more years. He also served as Michigan's DC in 2008.
His defenses excelled at Syracuse, finishing seventh in the country in 2010 and sixth in 2012 in total defense.
While Shafer's system will look similar before the snap – they'll still be in a 4-3 base – the defenders will be more aggressive than in years past once the play starts.
Head coach Rick Stockstill has praised his defense's ability to tackle fundamentally and its tenacious, aggressive play through the spring and fall camp. The players have also taken to the new system.
"Effort is going to be a big part of the game as far as getting 11 guys to the ball, doing assignments the way they need to be done and trying to perfect your craft along the way," junior safety Jovante Moffatt said at Monday's season-opening press conference.
The Blue Raiders will also have an entirely new defensive line after graduating their top five players from the 2016 group. Redshirt junior end Walter Brady and redshirt sophomore tackle Malik Manciel are expected to lead the unit.
How does the defense stop Ralph Webb?
That new defense will have its hands full with Vanderbilt's rushing attack led by redshirt senior Ralph Webb, the school's all-time leading rusher.
Webb has torn apart MT's defense the past two seasons. He's racked up 366 total yards on the ground, including 211 and two touchdowns last year.
The Blue Raiders will benefit from returning their top four tacklers, and eight of their top 10, from last season. However, they'll have to prove to be even better tacklers if they're going to slow down Webb.
"Ralph is an excellent back," Stockstill said. "Anytime you play big backs like they have, you've got to do a good job of tackling and you've got to do a good job of getting hats to the ball to prevent any broken tackles, missed tackles or yards after contact."
Richie James nearing school's career receiving yards record
Redshirt junior wide receiver Richie James is just 97 yards away from tying Kendall Newson's career receiving yards record of 3,074. If he can replicate his output the last two seasons against the Commodores – 95 yards in 2015 and 183 last year – he just might do it in front of the Blue Raider fans.
James is also only 25 receptions away from tying Newson's school record of 238. Though he averages the most catches per game in the NCAA currently (8.19), he most likely won't reach the record against Vanderbilt.
How does MT's offensive line look?
Middle Tennessee lost its four most experienced offensive linemen from last year's team with the graduations of Daniel Stephens, Maurquice Shakir, Josh Chester and Hunter Rogers.
Juniors Chandler Brewer, Carlos Johnson and Robert Behanan bring back the most experience, but the other two positions will be filled by players who've never started along the MT line.
How Middle Tennessee's new-look line handles keeping the bigger Commodore defensive front away from quarterback Brent Stockstill will be one of the key questions going into the game.
"They've done a great job," Brent Stockstill said. "I've said it all along, but I'm excited about them just because they're so tough and hardworking and just a great group of guys. I know there is some lack of experience, but there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be ready to play."
Who steps up in the backfield?
I'Tavius Mathers was a do-everything running back in his only season at Middle Tennessee. He set program records with 1,561 rushing yards and 2,194 all-purpose yards, and he was the first player in NCAA FBS history to have 1,500 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and 60 catches in the same season.
With Mathers gone, another back will have to step up if the Blue Raiders are going to have the record-setting offensive firepower they've had the past two seasons.
Redshirt senior Shane Tucker, junior Navarro College transfer Maurice Gordon and freshman Brad Anderson will all likely see carries with redshirt sophomore Terelle West out while he nurses a leg injury.
Can the Raiders finish drives?
Middle Tennessee may have had one of the best offenses in the nation last season, but against Vandy it had issues finishing drives.
The Blue Raiders were eighth in the nation in red zone conversions in 2016 at 92.59 percent, but against the Commodores they had a tough time converting chances on Vanderbilt's side of the field.
Thanks to turnovers and other miscues, MT scored on just four drives despite entering the Dores' side of the field 11 times. Scores on a few of those possessions could have drastically altered the final outcome.
MT is historically good on opening day; Vandy is not
The Blue Raiders will try to keep up their string of recent season-opener success, as well add to their 20-5 record in their last 25 home games.
They've won the last four season openers, and in the last 35 years MT has a 22-13 record on Week 1, including a 37-28 win at Vandy in 2001.
In comparison, Vanderbilt has dropped its last five season openers.
Last time playing in current deal
This is the last time Vanderbilt will make the short drive from Nashville to Murfreesboro in the teams' current agreement. The Blue Raiders will travel to Vanderbilt Stadium in 2018 in the final season of the four-year deal.
Please, let it be dry
The past two matchups in the series have been plagued by some rough weather. The 2015 matchup was played under a light rain, then last season Mother Nature got really nasty.
With 5:44 showing on the game clock in the second quarter, the contest was halted due to lightning in the Nashville area. The weather delay lasted an hour and 44 minutes.
New fun upgrades at the stadium!
Fans will notice a lot of new upgrades and changes to the experience at Floyd Stadium.
New team uniforms, stadium enhancements, more concession options, better tailgate accessibility, live music and even a firework show will entertain before, during and after the game.
Click here for more about the new and exciting fan experience upgrades for Saturday's game.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – College football season is upon us in Murfreesboro, and Blue Raider fans will get the opportunity to see Middle Tennessee begin the season firsthand Saturday against an in-state foe.
Vanderbilt will make the short drive from Nashville to the 'Boro for a 7:02 p.m. kickoff. It will be the 18th meeting between the two schools separated by a mere 37 miles, with the Commodores owning a 14-3 advantage and 2-0 mark at Middle Tennessee.
Since the 2001 season, MT has fared well against its Southeastern Conference opponent, winning three of the five contests in the series. However, the Blue Raiders have lost two in a row and haven't beaten the Dores since 2005, the last of a three-game win streak that included the 2001 and 2002 matchups.
The games have also been close since Middle Tennessee's jump to the FBS in the 2000 season. Four of the five games have been decided by less than 10 points, three of which were less than a touchdown.
Last year's meeting in Nashville was not one of those nail-biting affairs, as far as the 47-24 final score read. However, the contest was closer than the scoreboard may indicate.
Despite early miscues, including two turnovers and a muffed punt leading to a safety early in the first half, the Blue Raiders outgained Vandy 495-344 in total yards and trailed following a rain delay 19-17 with five minutes left in the first half.
From that point on, though, the Commodores racked up 285 total yards of offense, compared to just 59 before the hour-and-44-minute rain stoppage.
Middle Tennessee will have to find a way to get out of the gates against Vanderbilt well like it did in 2016, but it will also need to find a way to sustain it if the Blue Raiders want to be victorious for the first time in a season-opening matchup with a Power 5 conference program.
Here are some other things to watch for:
New-look MT defense
Fans will notice a new, revamped Blue Raider defense this season led by a new coordinator.
Scott Shafer was hired to the position in January after taking a year off of coaching in 2016. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Syracuse for three seasons after being the Orange defensive coordinator for four more years. He also served as Michigan's DC in 2008.
His defenses excelled at Syracuse, finishing seventh in the country in 2010 and sixth in 2012 in total defense.
While Shafer's system will look similar before the snap – they'll still be in a 4-3 base – the defenders will be more aggressive than in years past once the play starts.
Head coach Rick Stockstill has praised his defense's ability to tackle fundamentally and its tenacious, aggressive play through the spring and fall camp. The players have also taken to the new system.
"Effort is going to be a big part of the game as far as getting 11 guys to the ball, doing assignments the way they need to be done and trying to perfect your craft along the way," junior safety Jovante Moffatt said at Monday's season-opening press conference.
The Blue Raiders will also have an entirely new defensive line after graduating their top five players from the 2016 group. Redshirt junior end Walter Brady and redshirt sophomore tackle Malik Manciel are expected to lead the unit.
How does the defense stop Ralph Webb?
That new defense will have its hands full with Vanderbilt's rushing attack led by redshirt senior Ralph Webb, the school's all-time leading rusher.
Webb has torn apart MT's defense the past two seasons. He's racked up 366 total yards on the ground, including 211 and two touchdowns last year.
The Blue Raiders will benefit from returning their top four tacklers, and eight of their top 10, from last season. However, they'll have to prove to be even better tacklers if they're going to slow down Webb.
"Ralph is an excellent back," Stockstill said. "Anytime you play big backs like they have, you've got to do a good job of tackling and you've got to do a good job of getting hats to the ball to prevent any broken tackles, missed tackles or yards after contact."
Richie James nearing school's career receiving yards record
Redshirt junior wide receiver Richie James is just 97 yards away from tying Kendall Newson's career receiving yards record of 3,074. If he can replicate his output the last two seasons against the Commodores – 95 yards in 2015 and 183 last year – he just might do it in front of the Blue Raider fans.
James is also only 25 receptions away from tying Newson's school record of 238. Though he averages the most catches per game in the NCAA currently (8.19), he most likely won't reach the record against Vanderbilt.
How does MT's offensive line look?
Middle Tennessee lost its four most experienced offensive linemen from last year's team with the graduations of Daniel Stephens, Maurquice Shakir, Josh Chester and Hunter Rogers.
Juniors Chandler Brewer, Carlos Johnson and Robert Behanan bring back the most experience, but the other two positions will be filled by players who've never started along the MT line.
How Middle Tennessee's new-look line handles keeping the bigger Commodore defensive front away from quarterback Brent Stockstill will be one of the key questions going into the game.
"They've done a great job," Brent Stockstill said. "I've said it all along, but I'm excited about them just because they're so tough and hardworking and just a great group of guys. I know there is some lack of experience, but there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be ready to play."
Who steps up in the backfield?
I'Tavius Mathers was a do-everything running back in his only season at Middle Tennessee. He set program records with 1,561 rushing yards and 2,194 all-purpose yards, and he was the first player in NCAA FBS history to have 1,500 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and 60 catches in the same season.
With Mathers gone, another back will have to step up if the Blue Raiders are going to have the record-setting offensive firepower they've had the past two seasons.
Redshirt senior Shane Tucker, junior Navarro College transfer Maurice Gordon and freshman Brad Anderson will all likely see carries with redshirt sophomore Terelle West out while he nurses a leg injury.
Can the Raiders finish drives?
Middle Tennessee may have had one of the best offenses in the nation last season, but against Vandy it had issues finishing drives.
The Blue Raiders were eighth in the nation in red zone conversions in 2016 at 92.59 percent, but against the Commodores they had a tough time converting chances on Vanderbilt's side of the field.
Thanks to turnovers and other miscues, MT scored on just four drives despite entering the Dores' side of the field 11 times. Scores on a few of those possessions could have drastically altered the final outcome.
MT is historically good on opening day; Vandy is not
The Blue Raiders will try to keep up their string of recent season-opener success, as well add to their 20-5 record in their last 25 home games.
They've won the last four season openers, and in the last 35 years MT has a 22-13 record on Week 1, including a 37-28 win at Vandy in 2001.
In comparison, Vanderbilt has dropped its last five season openers.
Last time playing in current deal
This is the last time Vanderbilt will make the short drive from Nashville to Murfreesboro in the teams' current agreement. The Blue Raiders will travel to Vanderbilt Stadium in 2018 in the final season of the four-year deal.
Please, let it be dry
The past two matchups in the series have been plagued by some rough weather. The 2015 matchup was played under a light rain, then last season Mother Nature got really nasty.
With 5:44 showing on the game clock in the second quarter, the contest was halted due to lightning in the Nashville area. The weather delay lasted an hour and 44 minutes.
New fun upgrades at the stadium!
Fans will notice a lot of new upgrades and changes to the experience at Floyd Stadium.
New team uniforms, stadium enhancements, more concession options, better tailgate accessibility, live music and even a firework show will entertain before, during and after the game.
Click here for more about the new and exciting fan experience upgrades for Saturday's game.
Players Mentioned
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