Blue Raiders Set for North Texas

Last Saturday night as the Blue Raiders faced off against Idaho, it was difficult to tell the difference between a pinball machine and the actual scoreboard lights. Add to that the number of times fireworks exploded due to the combined score of 128 points both squads manufactured and the 23,000 plus fans who were in attendance for the record-setting contest. This week MT squares off at North Texas' Fouts Field and the Blue Raiders hope to keep their impressive numbers game alive against the Mean Green. Middle Tennessee virtually has a strangle hold on every offensive statistical category in the Sun Belt Conference and dominates the voting week after week as to who will be named Sun Belt Player of the Week. Last week, it was quarterback Wes Counts. The Blue Raiders are averaging a gaudy 45 points per contest and posting 557 yards of total offensive yards per week to rank as one of the nation's highest in both categories. So balanced is the offensive attack of MT that both running back Dwone Hicks and Counts vie for the top spot week after week as to who will post the better numbers. Hicks runs for 128 yards per game while Counts throws for 261 yards per week. Last week, Counts set the MT all-time mark for touchdowns thrown (44) and the single game record for touchdowns with six. Meanwhile, Hicks has raised eyebrows in the Heisman hunt as he continues to be one of the premiere backs in the nation. Last week's three touchdown, 169-yard performance didn't hurt his chances. But while the numbers look good on paper, Head Coach Andy McCollum knows that they are primarily fodder for the presses and electronic media. The main numbers he's concerning himself with are 5 and 0 - as in the total number of wins and losses. The contest against North Texas marks the mid-way point of the season and the Blue Raiders, so far, have achieved all of their goals. "This is just another challenge for our team," said McCollum, who's squad was picked by many preseason analysts to win the conference. "The game is important because it's our next opportunity to move closer to our goals. Our situation as a team is that we have to be as good as we can be." Defense, of course, could be a concern. Last week's shooting match turned ugly as Idaho rang up 760 yards of total offense and 58 points, both NCAA records for a losing team. This week the Blue Raiders will be facing one of the league's top linebackers in Cody Spencer. Against Louisiana-Monroe, Spencer led his squad with 18 tackles. "They have a very solid defense and they are well coached," commented McCollum about this weekend's opponent. "I have all the respect in the world for their staff. I have coached with some of them at different places, so I know they will be well prepared on Saturday. Their defense is particularly good. They have turned in some good defensive performances against teams like Oklahoma and Texas Tech. We have a great challenge in front of us. It will be even tougher because it's on the road." Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 CST in Denton, TX, and will be the first day game of the year for the Blue Raiders.

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Players Mentioned

Wes Counts

Dwone Hicks

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics