Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Raiders working but excited about Hawaii
12/13/2016 4:30:00 PM | Football
Last practice is Saturday before departing Monday
MURFREESBORO - As Monday's departure for the Hawai'i Bowl inches closer, Middle Tennessee is laying the framework and practicing the execution of a gameplan to get a victory over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
While the Blue Raiders (8-4) look ahead to the Warriors (6-7), head coach Rick Stockstill doesn't want them to forget about what an outstanding season it has been in Murfreesboro.
"I'm really proud of what our football team accomplished this year," he said. "I'm sure every coach sits up here and talks about adversity that a team has to overcome throughout the year … but, I don't know if I've ever been a part of a team that had to overcome as much adversity as this team. Because of what they've done and how hard they've played and competed, that makes this team special."
If the Raiders are going to come back with a victory, they will have to take their powerful, record-setting offense with them. They have set single-season records this season in total offense (6,188 yards), points scored (481) and total touchdowns (62), among several others.
That offense will be key against a Rainbow Warrior defensive squad that likes to blitz the quarterback behind linebacker Jahlani Tavai (team-high 118 tackles and seven sacks).
"As soon as we turned on the film, we saw they blitzed on every play we watched," redshirt senior running back I'Tavius Mathers, MT's single-season all-purpose yards (2,093) and rushing yards (1,532) leader, said. "I have to be ready to stay low, block well and just adjust to certain things while knowing what guys to pick up and what guys to help out on."
Middle Tennessee's offense could be helped by two big factors. The first is Hawaii's defense ranked last in the Mountain West in scoring, giving up 37.5 points per game. The second is redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill, MTSU's all-time passing TD leader, may be healed from a broken collarbone in time to suit up for the Raiders.
Stockstill, who has thrown for 2,801 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, was injured in the first quarter of the Blue Raiders' ninth game against UTSA and hasn't seen the field since. But, Rick Stockstill is "optimistic" his son and starting QB will be ready for the bowl game.
"I feel good, I feel healthy – if it was up to me, I would say I'm ready to go, but obviously it isn't up to me," Brent Stockstill, who resumed practicing with the team this week, said. "I have a couple more doctor's appointments in the next couple of days, and I'm very optimistic about it. We'll see what happens, and I'm ready if my number is called."
Middle Tennessee's defense will face a different Hawaii offense than college football fans have seen in the past. Known historically as a team that likes to spread out defenses and throw the ball extensively, the Rainbow Warriors this year have been led by a rushing attack.
They've run for 2,088 yards and 23 touchdowns as a team, led by Diocemy Saint Juste (836 yards, three TDs) and Steven Lakalaka (423 yards, 12 TDs).
"They'll give you multiple formations," Rick Stockstill said. "They're very balanced not only in play call selection, but in productivity. Their running backs are good, and we have to do a good job of tackling. I think it's critical, especially in this game, to be able to slow down their running game."
While their ultimate mission is to go to Hawaii and come back to Murfreesboro with a Hawaii Bowl win, their head coach still wants his players to experience something they may not be able to ever again.
"Being a college athlete is a tremendous opportunity to experience many different things in your lifetime that you would never get the chance to experience," Rick Stockstill said. "You're afforded the opportunities to visit places you've never been exposed to before. It's a unique opportunity for these young men to create a memory."
Even those who took redshirt seasons or have not gotten much playing time have the chance to see some action. At the end of every practice leading up until Monday's departure for Honolulu, those players get to take the reins off and let loose at practice to show the coaching staff what they can do.
"Now that you get to see them scrimmage, you look forward to seeing the years to come from those young guys and just can't wait to see what they have and what role they'll play for Middle Tennessee football," redshirt senior defensive lineman Raynard Felton said. "It also gives us a chance to talk competitive to each other while we're coaching up the young guys."
While getting extra football work in and having the opportunity to travel to a place where many of the players have never been are icing on the cake, the Blue Raiders know a bigger gift is waiting on Christmas Eve: a Hawai'i Bowl victory.
While the Blue Raiders (8-4) look ahead to the Warriors (6-7), head coach Rick Stockstill doesn't want them to forget about what an outstanding season it has been in Murfreesboro.
"I'm really proud of what our football team accomplished this year," he said. "I'm sure every coach sits up here and talks about adversity that a team has to overcome throughout the year … but, I don't know if I've ever been a part of a team that had to overcome as much adversity as this team. Because of what they've done and how hard they've played and competed, that makes this team special."
If the Raiders are going to come back with a victory, they will have to take their powerful, record-setting offense with them. They have set single-season records this season in total offense (6,188 yards), points scored (481) and total touchdowns (62), among several others.
That offense will be key against a Rainbow Warrior defensive squad that likes to blitz the quarterback behind linebacker Jahlani Tavai (team-high 118 tackles and seven sacks).
"As soon as we turned on the film, we saw they blitzed on every play we watched," redshirt senior running back I'Tavius Mathers, MT's single-season all-purpose yards (2,093) and rushing yards (1,532) leader, said. "I have to be ready to stay low, block well and just adjust to certain things while knowing what guys to pick up and what guys to help out on."
Middle Tennessee's offense could be helped by two big factors. The first is Hawaii's defense ranked last in the Mountain West in scoring, giving up 37.5 points per game. The second is redshirt sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill, MTSU's all-time passing TD leader, may be healed from a broken collarbone in time to suit up for the Raiders.
Stockstill, who has thrown for 2,801 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, was injured in the first quarter of the Blue Raiders' ninth game against UTSA and hasn't seen the field since. But, Rick Stockstill is "optimistic" his son and starting QB will be ready for the bowl game.
"I feel good, I feel healthy – if it was up to me, I would say I'm ready to go, but obviously it isn't up to me," Brent Stockstill, who resumed practicing with the team this week, said. "I have a couple more doctor's appointments in the next couple of days, and I'm very optimistic about it. We'll see what happens, and I'm ready if my number is called."
Middle Tennessee's defense will face a different Hawaii offense than college football fans have seen in the past. Known historically as a team that likes to spread out defenses and throw the ball extensively, the Rainbow Warriors this year have been led by a rushing attack.
They've run for 2,088 yards and 23 touchdowns as a team, led by Diocemy Saint Juste (836 yards, three TDs) and Steven Lakalaka (423 yards, 12 TDs).
"They'll give you multiple formations," Rick Stockstill said. "They're very balanced not only in play call selection, but in productivity. Their running backs are good, and we have to do a good job of tackling. I think it's critical, especially in this game, to be able to slow down their running game."
While their ultimate mission is to go to Hawaii and come back to Murfreesboro with a Hawaii Bowl win, their head coach still wants his players to experience something they may not be able to ever again.
"Being a college athlete is a tremendous opportunity to experience many different things in your lifetime that you would never get the chance to experience," Rick Stockstill said. "You're afforded the opportunities to visit places you've never been exposed to before. It's a unique opportunity for these young men to create a memory."
Even those who took redshirt seasons or have not gotten much playing time have the chance to see some action. At the end of every practice leading up until Monday's departure for Honolulu, those players get to take the reins off and let loose at practice to show the coaching staff what they can do.
"Now that you get to see them scrimmage, you look forward to seeing the years to come from those young guys and just can't wait to see what they have and what role they'll play for Middle Tennessee football," redshirt senior defensive lineman Raynard Felton said. "It also gives us a chance to talk competitive to each other while we're coaching up the young guys."
While getting extra football work in and having the opportunity to travel to a place where many of the players have never been are icing on the cake, the Blue Raiders know a bigger gift is waiting on Christmas Eve: a Hawai'i Bowl victory.
Players Mentioned
Raider Report Game 10 - MTSU vs. Western Kentucky University
Friday, November 14
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 12 (Video)
Monday, November 10
MTSU Football Weekly Presser 11/10/25
Monday, November 10
MTSU Football vs. FIU post-game press conference – 11/08/25
Saturday, November 08
