Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
North Texas
MT-North Texas Preview
11/22/2002 4:37:00 PM | Football
"It's about time," were the sentiments of head football coach Andy McCollum after seeing a healthy offense put up 44 points in a win over Louisiana-Monroe Saturday. Injuries have plagued Middle Tennessee on both sides of the football all season including the top three offensive players in Dwone Hicks, Tyrone Calico and Andrico Hines. Saturday's win was only the fifth game this season where all three were healthy at the same time.
McCollum isn't making excuses, however, instead he says it's a learning experience for everybody involved.
"This season has been a learning experience," McCollum said, "for both me as a head coach and for this team as well. Somewhere we're going to get better for it...This team has stayed together. That's what's impressed me the most about them. They've gone out every day and practiced just like this is for the championship and they'll do it again this week."
While McCollum wants his team to play with a sense of urgency, he isn't looking at the rematch with North Texas as Middle Tennessee's "bowl game".
"We didn't earn a bowl bid this year," McCollum said, "so this is not a bowl game for us. I do think, however, that it is our next opportunity to be a good football team. It's an opportunity for us, with all of our guys back, to go out and play hard and represent our University against a good football team that is going to a bowl."
Prior to the New Mexico State game Saturday, North Texas' defense had only allowed 12 points in Sun Belt play. And that's where the Mean Green lives up to its nickname.
"That's where it starts," McCollum said of North Texas' defense. "They've got a lot of players playing hard and playing with an attitude. That's how you play defense. They'll be as good a defensive football team as we have played, and we've played some good ones."
Normally with a good defense comes a good running attack. And that's exactly what the Mean Green will bring to Murfreesboro Saturday afternoon.
"(Kevin Galbreath) is tough," McCollum said of the North Texas running back. "They're a running football team. They're going to control the clock and run the football with their big and physical offensive line."
And it's the line play, both offensively and defensively, that McCollum said will be the key to Saturday's game.
"I think every game starts up front," McCollum said. "Every single game we play starts with the defensive and offensive lines. Their defensive line plays extremely hard and the offensive line is big and physical. They're a well-coached football team."
Special teams will also play a key factor in determining the outcome like it did a year ago.
"One of the biggest plays a year ago," McCollum said, "was a special teams play. They ran an onsides kick against us and did a good job executing."
Kick off is set for 2:36 PM CST at Floyd Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the SBC network - locally on CSS cable channel 27. You can also hear the game on the Blue Raider Network and GoBlueRaiders.com.
