Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Defense hopes good start lasts into C-USA play
9/20/2017 6:15:00 PM | Football
Minter among veteran leaders
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Through three games this season, Middle Tennessee's defense has shown some improvement under new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer.
After finishing last season ranked 96th in the nation and ninth in Conference USA in total defense (449.5 yards per game allowed), the Blue Raiders have looked much better against three good opponents to start 2017.
Against Vanderbilt, Syracuse and Minnesota, three Power 5 conference teams, they gave up just 339.3 yards per game, good for 49th in the nation on the young season. If MT keeps that average through the rest of the year, it would be the least amount of yardage allowed since 2006 (324.54), head coach Rick Stockstill's first season in Murfreesboro.
The good start by the Raider defenders can be attributed to new teaching tools brought on by Shafer.
"Coach Shafer brings more details to the table to help us out with stuff that we didn't know in the past," senior cornerback Mike Minter Jr. said, "no matter if it's reading the quarterback, our footwork, eyes, hands – whatever it is, he's helped us out so we can make more plays."
With seniors like Minter, sometimes a new coach bringing new philosophies can fall on deaf ears.
The older, more experienced Blue Raiders have shown you can teach old players new tricks, though, and that's been a big key early on for some of the younger members of the team.
Minter said the leadership he's used this season is something he's had to develop over time. Mostly, the defense's active starts leader (27 games) has had to show some of his younger teammates how to be consistent every single day in practice.
"I can't come out dead and let the young guys see that," he said. "They'll say, 'Well, Mike doesn't want to be here, so, why should I?' I have to bring energy … I just love playing football, so I have to show that."
Some of the new defensive talent has shown they are taking to what Minter and the older players are preaching.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Khalil Brooks, who didn't start a game last season, has started all three games and is currently second on the team in tackles (19) and sacks (1.5) and tied for the lead in tackles for loss (2.5). Freshman Reed Blankenship, who started the last two games at free safety, has the Blue Raiders' only interception.
The young Blue Raider stoppers have shown they're not outmatched on the field, though there is still plenty for them to learn.
"They're getting better every day and working at it," Shafer said. "I think the biggest thing is Coach Stock has done a great job of recruiting good kids with character who love playing the game."
Having only one week before starting the league schedule, those younger players will have to show even more improvements quickly, especially with potent C-USA offenses upcoming.
Conference USA has been one of the better offensive leagues in the country over the past few years, especially in the passing game. In 2016, four ranked in the top 16 in the nation in passing offense, and the conference is expected to be just as good this season.
The Blue Raiders have appeared after three games they may be up to the task of slowing those dynamic teams down, at least better than they did a season ago. They've given up just 200 passing yards per game, good for 48th in the country and fifth in the league.
"We still have a long way to go to get to where we want to be," Shafer said, "but they're taking to coaching, doing a good job of studying tape … and I think, for the most part, their preparation has been good."
With C-USA play right around the corner, there's still plenty to improve upon for the Raider defense. They've only forced two turnovers this season (one interception, one fumble recovery), and will have to find a way to come up with more takeaways moving forward while figuring out how to stay consistent for 12 games.
"I feel like we've improved a lot," Minter said, "but we still have some improving to do. You can never get too complacent – we've been doing some good things, but obviously we haven't done well enough, because we aren't undefeated."
Behind its senior leaders, a new crop of talent and a new mindset, the MT defense will try to keep its strong play going into the C-USA season.
The potent teams in the league will make that a necessity.
"We've got to do a good job of continuing to get better every week," Shafer said. "We play some teams that can put up some points, so we have a great challenge ahead of us."
After finishing last season ranked 96th in the nation and ninth in Conference USA in total defense (449.5 yards per game allowed), the Blue Raiders have looked much better against three good opponents to start 2017.
Against Vanderbilt, Syracuse and Minnesota, three Power 5 conference teams, they gave up just 339.3 yards per game, good for 49th in the nation on the young season. If MT keeps that average through the rest of the year, it would be the least amount of yardage allowed since 2006 (324.54), head coach Rick Stockstill's first season in Murfreesboro.
The good start by the Raider defenders can be attributed to new teaching tools brought on by Shafer.
"Coach Shafer brings more details to the table to help us out with stuff that we didn't know in the past," senior cornerback Mike Minter Jr. said, "no matter if it's reading the quarterback, our footwork, eyes, hands – whatever it is, he's helped us out so we can make more plays."
With seniors like Minter, sometimes a new coach bringing new philosophies can fall on deaf ears.
The older, more experienced Blue Raiders have shown you can teach old players new tricks, though, and that's been a big key early on for some of the younger members of the team.
Minter said the leadership he's used this season is something he's had to develop over time. Mostly, the defense's active starts leader (27 games) has had to show some of his younger teammates how to be consistent every single day in practice.
"I can't come out dead and let the young guys see that," he said. "They'll say, 'Well, Mike doesn't want to be here, so, why should I?' I have to bring energy … I just love playing football, so I have to show that."
Some of the new defensive talent has shown they are taking to what Minter and the older players are preaching.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Khalil Brooks, who didn't start a game last season, has started all three games and is currently second on the team in tackles (19) and sacks (1.5) and tied for the lead in tackles for loss (2.5). Freshman Reed Blankenship, who started the last two games at free safety, has the Blue Raiders' only interception.
The young Blue Raider stoppers have shown they're not outmatched on the field, though there is still plenty for them to learn.
"They're getting better every day and working at it," Shafer said. "I think the biggest thing is Coach Stock has done a great job of recruiting good kids with character who love playing the game."
Having only one week before starting the league schedule, those younger players will have to show even more improvements quickly, especially with potent C-USA offenses upcoming.
Conference USA has been one of the better offensive leagues in the country over the past few years, especially in the passing game. In 2016, four ranked in the top 16 in the nation in passing offense, and the conference is expected to be just as good this season.
The Blue Raiders have appeared after three games they may be up to the task of slowing those dynamic teams down, at least better than they did a season ago. They've given up just 200 passing yards per game, good for 48th in the country and fifth in the league.
"We still have a long way to go to get to where we want to be," Shafer said, "but they're taking to coaching, doing a good job of studying tape … and I think, for the most part, their preparation has been good."
With C-USA play right around the corner, there's still plenty to improve upon for the Raider defense. They've only forced two turnovers this season (one interception, one fumble recovery), and will have to find a way to come up with more takeaways moving forward while figuring out how to stay consistent for 12 games.
"I feel like we've improved a lot," Minter said, "but we still have some improving to do. You can never get too complacent – we've been doing some good things, but obviously we haven't done well enough, because we aren't undefeated."
Behind its senior leaders, a new crop of talent and a new mindset, the MT defense will try to keep its strong play going into the C-USA season.
The potent teams in the league will make that a necessity.
"We've got to do a good job of continuing to get better every week," Shafer said. "We play some teams that can put up some points, so we have a great challenge ahead of us."
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