Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, September 16
Minneapolis, MN
2:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
at
University of Minnesota
What to watch for against Minnesota
9/15/2017 10:08:00 AM | Football
TV listings inside
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Middle Tennessee will stay on the road for the second week in a row Saturday when it travels to Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium for the second time in school history for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: Big Ten Network or BTN2Go.com
(Comcast Nashville: 706; DirecTV: 610; U-verse: 650; Dish: 410; Campus TV: 3.2 (rescan)
Radio: 102.5 FM, 92.3 FM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM, 1450 AM, Sirius channel 157, XM channel 196
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
The Blue Raiders (1-1) will not only be looking for their sixth straight season with a 2-1 start, but a win over the Golden Gophers (2-0) would also be their first over a Big Ten program (0-6).
Minnesota got the better of MT in the schools' previous two matchups, but both were close affairs. The Gophers traveled to Murfreesboro in 2010 and won a one-score game, 24-17, before taking down the Raiders in Minneapolis in 2014, 35-24.
Middle Tennessee is hoping momentum from a big second half in its first win of the season in Week 2 will carry over and guide it to a redemptive win on Saturday. The Blue Raiders had to come from behind, but outscored Syracuse 21-10 after halftime for the 30-23 victory.
On the other side, Minnesota is 2-0 after victories over Buffalo and Oregon State. Through two games, the Gophers have outscored their opponents 65-21 thanks to a stingy defense and dynamic rushing attack.
Here are some keys to focus on as the game unfolds:
Which Middle Tennessee offense will we see?
Which offense will show up for MT? Will it be the group that outscored Syracuse 21-10 in the second half and racked up 220 yards of total offense, or the one that scored just 15 points and gained 358 total yards through its first six quarters this season?
If the Blue Raiders want to have a chance to knock off the Gophers, their offense will have to resemble its form from the second half of the Syracuse game for all four quarters. However, no matter which offense comes to play, it's bound to include a heavy dose of redshirt junior wide receiver Richie James. Read on for more on his season and what could be another record-setting day for the wide-out.
Minnesota is stingy defensively, currently ranking 16th in the nation in total defense, 13th in scoring defense and 14th in rushing defense. An early bout of turnovers or undisciplined offensive play the Raiders have shown early in games this season (four turnovers in two first halves) could spell disaster quickly.
Struggling to keep defenders off the quarterback could also be a downfall for MT's offense. Redshirt junior QB Brent Stockstill has been sacked six times this season, but only one came against Syracuse, possibly signaling the new-look offensive line is rounding into form.
The pass protection could benefit from a good ground game, and Middle Tennessee may have found a little bit of an answer in the backfield. Sophomore Ty Lee, normally a wide receiver, had a team-high 18 carries for 50 yards and a TD against Syracuse (also seven catches for 76 yards and another score), possibly taking ahold of the starting running back spot for the time being.
Can the Blue Raiders slow down Minnesota's running game?
It's no secret what the Golden Gophers want to do offensively. They want to give the ball to running backs Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. A lot. No matter the circumstance.
Smith and Brooks, both juniors, have combined for 88 carries, 328 yards and five rushing touchdowns this season. Their 88 rushes are more than double the amount (40) of passes the Gophers' quarterbacks – Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft – have thrown. In total, the team has kept the ball on the ground 109 times this season, compared to just 40 passing attempts.
If Middle Tennessee wants to make sure the ball gets into its offense's hands instead of Minnesota's backs, it will have to have the same defensive intensity against the run it's shown so far under new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer.
The Blue Raiders limited Vanderbilt all-time leading rusher Ralph Webb and the Commodores to just 71 yards on 35 attempts, then allowed Syracuse to gain only 126 yards on 49 rushes (2.6-yard average) last week.
MT's defense currently ranks 19th in the country in sacks and tackles for loss, 36th in rushing defense and 56th in total defense.
If the Blue Raiders can't keep the Gophers' backs contained, it could be a long day for the blue-and-white defense. Minnesota currently ranks third in the country in average time of possession at just over 37 ½ minutes per game, meaning their opponents have the ball for an average of 15 less minutes of game time.
"We've got to do a really good job of converting third downs and staying on the field," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday morning's weekly press conference. "And then defensively, getting off the field as much as we can."
Will Minnesota break open big pass plays?
The threat that comes with the Gophers' insistence on running the football is their ability to then hit their opponents with a deep play-action pass.
Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Johnson has been on the receiving end of both of the biggest strikes for Minnesota this season, grabbing a 61-yard score in the season opener then a 67-yard TD last week.
Those are the only two passing TDs the Gophers have this season. Johnson leads the team with 10 receptions and 268 yards, while no other receiver has more than 40 yards.
Middle Tennessee will have to show the same ball-hawking ability freshman safety Reed Blankenship showed late last week with a diving interception to help secure the win. At any rate, they can't fall asleep trying to defend the run and forget about the pass, or Johnson will torch them for another big TD.
"To me," Coach Stockstill said, "it goes back to being disciplined with your eyes, doing what you're coached to do. Do what your responsibilities are and understand the situation in the game when they run, run, run and here comes a play-action deep ball. You've just got be disciplined in your keys, be disciplined in your eyes in what you see and execute the defense that's called."
Who will win the second half?
Both teams have shown they can really hit their stride after halftime.
Minnesota hasn't allowed a second-half score yet this season, one of just eight teams in the country that can say that through two games. It's a testament to their rushing attack's ability to keep the ball in the Gophers' hands, especially down the stretch, and their stingy defense.
On the other side, Middle Tennessee has put together two good second halves this season, most notably last week against Syracuse when everything seemed to round into form at the same time.
The Blue Raiders have scored 27 of their 36 points after halftime this season, and 63 percent of their total offensive yards (363) have come in the second half.
If the game comes down to who can win the second half, it could turn into a tossup.
Record-setting Richie could be at it again
As mentioned before, redshirt junior wide receiver Richie James could have yet another career record-setting day Saturday.
Middle Tennessee's all-time receiving yards leader (3,179) is just eight receptions away from surpassing Kendall Newson's career school record of 238, while another touchdown catch will give him 23 for his career, which would be a new MT high mark.
James has clearly been the focal point of the Blue Raider offense this season. He's hauled in 18 of quarterback Brent Stockstill's 40 completions for 208 yards and two TDs, while no other receiver has more than nine catches for 83 yards.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: Big Ten Network or BTN2Go.com
(Comcast Nashville: 706; DirecTV: 610; U-verse: 650; Dish: 410; Campus TV: 3.2 (rescan)
Radio: 102.5 FM, 92.3 FM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM, 1450 AM, Sirius channel 157, XM channel 196
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
The Blue Raiders (1-1) will not only be looking for their sixth straight season with a 2-1 start, but a win over the Golden Gophers (2-0) would also be their first over a Big Ten program (0-6).
Minnesota got the better of MT in the schools' previous two matchups, but both were close affairs. The Gophers traveled to Murfreesboro in 2010 and won a one-score game, 24-17, before taking down the Raiders in Minneapolis in 2014, 35-24.
Middle Tennessee is hoping momentum from a big second half in its first win of the season in Week 2 will carry over and guide it to a redemptive win on Saturday. The Blue Raiders had to come from behind, but outscored Syracuse 21-10 after halftime for the 30-23 victory.
On the other side, Minnesota is 2-0 after victories over Buffalo and Oregon State. Through two games, the Gophers have outscored their opponents 65-21 thanks to a stingy defense and dynamic rushing attack.
Here are some keys to focus on as the game unfolds:
Which Middle Tennessee offense will we see?
Which offense will show up for MT? Will it be the group that outscored Syracuse 21-10 in the second half and racked up 220 yards of total offense, or the one that scored just 15 points and gained 358 total yards through its first six quarters this season?
If the Blue Raiders want to have a chance to knock off the Gophers, their offense will have to resemble its form from the second half of the Syracuse game for all four quarters. However, no matter which offense comes to play, it's bound to include a heavy dose of redshirt junior wide receiver Richie James. Read on for more on his season and what could be another record-setting day for the wide-out.
Minnesota is stingy defensively, currently ranking 16th in the nation in total defense, 13th in scoring defense and 14th in rushing defense. An early bout of turnovers or undisciplined offensive play the Raiders have shown early in games this season (four turnovers in two first halves) could spell disaster quickly.
Struggling to keep defenders off the quarterback could also be a downfall for MT's offense. Redshirt junior QB Brent Stockstill has been sacked six times this season, but only one came against Syracuse, possibly signaling the new-look offensive line is rounding into form.
The pass protection could benefit from a good ground game, and Middle Tennessee may have found a little bit of an answer in the backfield. Sophomore Ty Lee, normally a wide receiver, had a team-high 18 carries for 50 yards and a TD against Syracuse (also seven catches for 76 yards and another score), possibly taking ahold of the starting running back spot for the time being.
Can the Blue Raiders slow down Minnesota's running game?
It's no secret what the Golden Gophers want to do offensively. They want to give the ball to running backs Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. A lot. No matter the circumstance.
Smith and Brooks, both juniors, have combined for 88 carries, 328 yards and five rushing touchdowns this season. Their 88 rushes are more than double the amount (40) of passes the Gophers' quarterbacks – Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft – have thrown. In total, the team has kept the ball on the ground 109 times this season, compared to just 40 passing attempts.
If Middle Tennessee wants to make sure the ball gets into its offense's hands instead of Minnesota's backs, it will have to have the same defensive intensity against the run it's shown so far under new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer.
The Blue Raiders limited Vanderbilt all-time leading rusher Ralph Webb and the Commodores to just 71 yards on 35 attempts, then allowed Syracuse to gain only 126 yards on 49 rushes (2.6-yard average) last week.
MT's defense currently ranks 19th in the country in sacks and tackles for loss, 36th in rushing defense and 56th in total defense.
If the Blue Raiders can't keep the Gophers' backs contained, it could be a long day for the blue-and-white defense. Minnesota currently ranks third in the country in average time of possession at just over 37 ½ minutes per game, meaning their opponents have the ball for an average of 15 less minutes of game time.
"We've got to do a really good job of converting third downs and staying on the field," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday morning's weekly press conference. "And then defensively, getting off the field as much as we can."
Will Minnesota break open big pass plays?
The threat that comes with the Gophers' insistence on running the football is their ability to then hit their opponents with a deep play-action pass.
Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Johnson has been on the receiving end of both of the biggest strikes for Minnesota this season, grabbing a 61-yard score in the season opener then a 67-yard TD last week.
Those are the only two passing TDs the Gophers have this season. Johnson leads the team with 10 receptions and 268 yards, while no other receiver has more than 40 yards.
Middle Tennessee will have to show the same ball-hawking ability freshman safety Reed Blankenship showed late last week with a diving interception to help secure the win. At any rate, they can't fall asleep trying to defend the run and forget about the pass, or Johnson will torch them for another big TD.
"To me," Coach Stockstill said, "it goes back to being disciplined with your eyes, doing what you're coached to do. Do what your responsibilities are and understand the situation in the game when they run, run, run and here comes a play-action deep ball. You've just got be disciplined in your keys, be disciplined in your eyes in what you see and execute the defense that's called."
Who will win the second half?
Both teams have shown they can really hit their stride after halftime.
Minnesota hasn't allowed a second-half score yet this season, one of just eight teams in the country that can say that through two games. It's a testament to their rushing attack's ability to keep the ball in the Gophers' hands, especially down the stretch, and their stingy defense.
On the other side, Middle Tennessee has put together two good second halves this season, most notably last week against Syracuse when everything seemed to round into form at the same time.
The Blue Raiders have scored 27 of their 36 points after halftime this season, and 63 percent of their total offensive yards (363) have come in the second half.
If the game comes down to who can win the second half, it could turn into a tossup.
Record-setting Richie could be at it again
As mentioned before, redshirt junior wide receiver Richie James could have yet another career record-setting day Saturday.
Middle Tennessee's all-time receiving yards leader (3,179) is just eight receptions away from surpassing Kendall Newson's career school record of 238, while another touchdown catch will give him 23 for his career, which would be a new MT high mark.
James has clearly been the focal point of the Blue Raider offense this season. He's hauled in 18 of quarterback Brent Stockstill's 40 completions for 208 yards and two TDs, while no other receiver has more than nine catches for 83 yards.
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