Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Q&A with Ed Batties
12/16/2015 6:00:00 PM | Football
Senior has enjoyed productive season
MURFREESBORO – MT senior receiver Ed Batties had a phenomenal season in 2015 as he posted 77 catches, 960 yards and a school record 13 touchdowns.
With the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl the only game remaining in his collegiate career, the senior wide out hopes to end his career on a high note.
MT Athletics beat writer Connor Grott talked with Batties about his MT career, and what he wants to accomplish in the future.
Q: Earlier in fall camp, you made a prediction that you would have over 1,000 yards, 12 touchdowns and you'd be an all-American. Looking back, how do you feel about your prediction heading into the bowl game?
Batties: I feel pretty good about it. I went out there, played and gave it everything I had every snap. That's what I expected out of myself and I'm pretty sure that's what my coaches and teammates expected. I'm just really proud about everything that transpired. I'm satisfied with the outcome because I always strive to do better. That's why I set those high goals.
Q: How special has this season been to you so far?
Batties: Ah, man. It's been a great season. I really enjoyed my last year. We got people like that. [Batties points at freshman receiver Richie James …] We got freshmen that want to cut up all day. I've just really enjoyed it though; it's been a great journey.
Q: You just pointed to James. What has it been like to play with him?
Batties: It's been great, man. At the beginning of the season, many people wouldn't have expected this to happen. I'm just glad to be out here and be a part of it, and to be a part of Richie James. He's up there pretty high on my favorite-teammates list.
Q: Talk about the feeling of having MT freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill throwing you the ball?
Batties: I love it. I'm glad to have him at quarterback. I like the tenacity he brings and how he continues to get better each day. He comes out every day and works hard.
Q: You and the Blue Raiders are finally back in a bowl game. What's going through your mind when you realize you have one more game left?
Batties: It feels really good. We're going to be able to go out there and try to win some hardware. It's exciting and it's a pretty big deal to me and the team. Words can't really express how I feel about this bowl game.
Q: Not only do you get to go to a bowl game, but it's in the Bahamas?
Batties: Aw, man. I don't know. [Laughs…] I hope it's going to be great. It sounds like a great time and I can't wait to get there and enjoy myself with my teammates and my family.
Q: What do you want to accomplish in your final game?
Batties: I want to finish out with a few more touchdowns and hopefully reach 1,000 yards. But more than anything, I just want to win the bowl game. It's really just about winning and being happy about a victory with my teammates.
Q: Has it hit you yet that this is your last collegiate game at MT?
Batties: It really hasn't hit me yet. It's been kind of bittersweet because I've been thinking about it. It hasn't dawned on me yet, but I think about it a lot and wonder what's going to happen next. It's come really fast too, so I'm just trying to soak everything in and enjoy my time I have left.
Q: What's been your favorite moment throughout your senior season?
Batties: The game against Marshall was probably one of my favorites. It was a hard-fought game and to overcome that adversity and win was special, especially against a top-ranked team.
Q: So, after your bowl game, what's next for Ed Batties?
Batties: I'm just going to get back to work and get the right training, and just see what comes next. I want a shot at the NFL and hopefully I get a chance to get my foot in the door. I'm going to work extremely hard and make the best of any opportunity I get.
With the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl the only game remaining in his collegiate career, the senior wide out hopes to end his career on a high note.
MT Athletics beat writer Connor Grott talked with Batties about his MT career, and what he wants to accomplish in the future.
Q: Earlier in fall camp, you made a prediction that you would have over 1,000 yards, 12 touchdowns and you'd be an all-American. Looking back, how do you feel about your prediction heading into the bowl game?
Batties: I feel pretty good about it. I went out there, played and gave it everything I had every snap. That's what I expected out of myself and I'm pretty sure that's what my coaches and teammates expected. I'm just really proud about everything that transpired. I'm satisfied with the outcome because I always strive to do better. That's why I set those high goals.
Q: How special has this season been to you so far?
Batties: Ah, man. It's been a great season. I really enjoyed my last year. We got people like that. [Batties points at freshman receiver Richie James …] We got freshmen that want to cut up all day. I've just really enjoyed it though; it's been a great journey.
Q: You just pointed to James. What has it been like to play with him?
Batties: It's been great, man. At the beginning of the season, many people wouldn't have expected this to happen. I'm just glad to be out here and be a part of it, and to be a part of Richie James. He's up there pretty high on my favorite-teammates list.
Q: Talk about the feeling of having MT freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill throwing you the ball?
Batties: I love it. I'm glad to have him at quarterback. I like the tenacity he brings and how he continues to get better each day. He comes out every day and works hard.
Q: You and the Blue Raiders are finally back in a bowl game. What's going through your mind when you realize you have one more game left?
Batties: It feels really good. We're going to be able to go out there and try to win some hardware. It's exciting and it's a pretty big deal to me and the team. Words can't really express how I feel about this bowl game.
Q: Not only do you get to go to a bowl game, but it's in the Bahamas?
Batties: Aw, man. I don't know. [Laughs…] I hope it's going to be great. It sounds like a great time and I can't wait to get there and enjoy myself with my teammates and my family.
Q: What do you want to accomplish in your final game?
Batties: I want to finish out with a few more touchdowns and hopefully reach 1,000 yards. But more than anything, I just want to win the bowl game. It's really just about winning and being happy about a victory with my teammates.
Q: Has it hit you yet that this is your last collegiate game at MT?
Batties: It really hasn't hit me yet. It's been kind of bittersweet because I've been thinking about it. It hasn't dawned on me yet, but I think about it a lot and wonder what's going to happen next. It's come really fast too, so I'm just trying to soak everything in and enjoy my time I have left.
Q: What's been your favorite moment throughout your senior season?
Batties: The game against Marshall was probably one of my favorites. It was a hard-fought game and to overcome that adversity and win was special, especially against a top-ranked team.
Q: So, after your bowl game, what's next for Ed Batties?
Batties: I'm just going to get back to work and get the right training, and just see what comes next. I want a shot at the NFL and hopefully I get a chance to get my foot in the door. I'm going to work extremely hard and make the best of any opportunity I get.
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