Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Five takeaways from Saturday's win over UNT
11/22/2015 2:11:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO – The Blue Raiders (6-5, 5-2 C-USA) took a commanding 31-7 halftime lead and didn't look back, picking up their decisive sixth win of the season, 41-7, over North Texas (1-10, 1-6 C-USA) at Floyd Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Here are five takeaways from Middle Tennessee's victory over the Mean Green:
Bowl Eligible
With Saturday's win, the Blue Raiders became bowl eligible for the fourth-straight year, and seventh time in 10 years under MT head coach Rick Stockstill.
Since 2009, Middle Tennessee has been bowl eligible six times out of the last seven years, more than any other FBS program in the state of Tennessee.
Tennessee has been bowl eligible four times, Vanderbilt three and Memphis twice.
"Our goal coming in wasn't to be bowl eligible," Stockstill said. "It's to go to a bowl. We've put ourselves in a position to do that, and it's been a heck of a comeback. I'm really proud of our football team."
One game remains in the regular season for Middle Tennessee, as the Blue Raiders eye a return to a bowl game for the first time since 2013 when MT played in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Early Christmas
MT has been terrific in conference play, with five of its six wins this season being against C-USA opponents.
But, the Blue Raiders have been even better against Conference-USA teams in the comforts of Floyd Stadium.
Following MT's blowout win over the Mean Green, the Blue Raiders have now won 11-straight games at home against C-USA opponents.
"We're a tough team," Stockstill explained. "We've had some bumps in the road, every team does. But, we continue to give everything we've got whether we're home or away. There's no magic wand being waved, we just have a great mindset and we play hard."
Not only is Middle Tennessee playing well against conference foes, but they're also continuing their success in the month of November.
Under Stockstill, MT is 23-13 in November and have won 11 of its last 14 games in the month.
Stockstill Makes History…Again.
Another game, more records broken for the MT quarterback.
Brent Stockstill completed 27-of-38 passes, including 13-straight completions to begin the game, for 322 yards and three touchdowns.
Stockstill's 14-consecutive passes (including one completion against FAU) was the third-highest total in Middle Tennessee history.
Along with his steady amount of completed passes, Stockstill racked up the yardage and touchdowns.
With his 322 passing yards against North Texas, Stockstill set a new C-USA freshman record for passing yards in a single season.
Stockstill now has 3,421 yards on the year, breaking former Southern Miss and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Austin Davis' 3,128 yards in 2008.
His 300-plus yard performance was also the seventh of the season, tying Stockstill with Wes Counts' all-time record in just his first season.
Going into Saturday's game against the Mean Green, Stockstill was tied with Dwight Dasher's single-season record for passing touchdowns with 23.
Three touchdowns later, Stockstill now owns the MT single-season passing touchdowns record with 26.
"It's humbling," Stockstill said. "I've always dreamed big, but I never expected to have a type of year like this. It's humbling to see your hard work pay off, and I know I say it every week, but the guys around me are unbelievable."
Byard Gets No. 18
Late in the third quarter, North Texas quarterback DaMarcus Smith dropped back to deliver a pass.
Deciding to take a shot down the field, he looked for a receiver deep across the middle from his own 49-yard line.
MT senior safety Kevin Byard had other plans, though.
Byard jumped the seam route, intercepting Smith's pass across the middle to break the MT all-time interceptions record.
"I'm forever thankful and grateful," Byard said about breaking the record. "It was very rewarding to get it in my last home game on Senior Night. It was a very special moment to get the record in front of family and friends. It's humbling and I'm just forever grateful."
His 18th-career interception surpasses James Griffin's (1979-82) previous record of 17 picks.
Following the interception, Byard gave the ball to someone who has helped him on his journey.
"As soon as I caught the interception I took it straight to my father," Byard explained. "He's just so proud of me. My whole family is proud of me, and I'm just thankful to get it on my Senior Night."
Dynamic Duo Steady
It was another day at the office for redshirt freshman receiver Richie James and redshirt senior wide out Ed Batties.
James hauled in 11 catches for 98 yards, bringing his catches total to 93 for the season.
"Brent's done a great job, and congrats to him too," James said. "That was just the game plan this week. We were going to try and throw the ball, and then set up for the run."
Batties, whose birthday was on Saturday, celebrated in style.
He brought down four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
"It was a good day," Batties said after the win. "With it being my birthday, I wanted to go out and get the win, and I'm proud that we got the win."
For the season, Batties has 71 receptions, 878 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Here are five takeaways from Middle Tennessee's victory over the Mean Green:
Bowl Eligible
With Saturday's win, the Blue Raiders became bowl eligible for the fourth-straight year, and seventh time in 10 years under MT head coach Rick Stockstill.
Since 2009, Middle Tennessee has been bowl eligible six times out of the last seven years, more than any other FBS program in the state of Tennessee.
Tennessee has been bowl eligible four times, Vanderbilt three and Memphis twice.
"Our goal coming in wasn't to be bowl eligible," Stockstill said. "It's to go to a bowl. We've put ourselves in a position to do that, and it's been a heck of a comeback. I'm really proud of our football team."
One game remains in the regular season for Middle Tennessee, as the Blue Raiders eye a return to a bowl game for the first time since 2013 when MT played in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Early Christmas
MT has been terrific in conference play, with five of its six wins this season being against C-USA opponents.
But, the Blue Raiders have been even better against Conference-USA teams in the comforts of Floyd Stadium.
Following MT's blowout win over the Mean Green, the Blue Raiders have now won 11-straight games at home against C-USA opponents.
"We're a tough team," Stockstill explained. "We've had some bumps in the road, every team does. But, we continue to give everything we've got whether we're home or away. There's no magic wand being waved, we just have a great mindset and we play hard."
Not only is Middle Tennessee playing well against conference foes, but they're also continuing their success in the month of November.
Under Stockstill, MT is 23-13 in November and have won 11 of its last 14 games in the month.
Stockstill Makes History…Again.
Another game, more records broken for the MT quarterback.
Brent Stockstill completed 27-of-38 passes, including 13-straight completions to begin the game, for 322 yards and three touchdowns.
Stockstill's 14-consecutive passes (including one completion against FAU) was the third-highest total in Middle Tennessee history.
Along with his steady amount of completed passes, Stockstill racked up the yardage and touchdowns.
With his 322 passing yards against North Texas, Stockstill set a new C-USA freshman record for passing yards in a single season.
Stockstill now has 3,421 yards on the year, breaking former Southern Miss and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Austin Davis' 3,128 yards in 2008.
His 300-plus yard performance was also the seventh of the season, tying Stockstill with Wes Counts' all-time record in just his first season.
Going into Saturday's game against the Mean Green, Stockstill was tied with Dwight Dasher's single-season record for passing touchdowns with 23.
Three touchdowns later, Stockstill now owns the MT single-season passing touchdowns record with 26.
"It's humbling," Stockstill said. "I've always dreamed big, but I never expected to have a type of year like this. It's humbling to see your hard work pay off, and I know I say it every week, but the guys around me are unbelievable."
Byard Gets No. 18
Late in the third quarter, North Texas quarterback DaMarcus Smith dropped back to deliver a pass.
Deciding to take a shot down the field, he looked for a receiver deep across the middle from his own 49-yard line.
MT senior safety Kevin Byard had other plans, though.
Byard jumped the seam route, intercepting Smith's pass across the middle to break the MT all-time interceptions record.
"I'm forever thankful and grateful," Byard said about breaking the record. "It was very rewarding to get it in my last home game on Senior Night. It was a very special moment to get the record in front of family and friends. It's humbling and I'm just forever grateful."
His 18th-career interception surpasses James Griffin's (1979-82) previous record of 17 picks.
Following the interception, Byard gave the ball to someone who has helped him on his journey.
"As soon as I caught the interception I took it straight to my father," Byard explained. "He's just so proud of me. My whole family is proud of me, and I'm just thankful to get it on my Senior Night."
Dynamic Duo Steady
It was another day at the office for redshirt freshman receiver Richie James and redshirt senior wide out Ed Batties.
James hauled in 11 catches for 98 yards, bringing his catches total to 93 for the season.
"Brent's done a great job, and congrats to him too," James said. "That was just the game plan this week. We were going to try and throw the ball, and then set up for the run."
Batties, whose birthday was on Saturday, celebrated in style.
He brought down four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
"It was a good day," Batties said after the win. "With it being my birthday, I wanted to go out and get the win, and I'm proud that we got the win."
For the season, Batties has 71 receptions, 878 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Players Mentioned
Friday, April 03
Thursday, March 19
Monday, March 16
Tuesday, January 13
