Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
10/15/2018 4:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Things got a lot more interesting in the Conference USA East Division on Saturday when Middle Tennessee fell at FIU 24-21.
The loss puts the Blue Raiders (3-3) in a tie with Marshall and Charlotte at 2-1 in conference play, while FIU (4-2) takes sole possession of first with a 2-0 record. The Panthers still have to play Marshall and Charlotte, not to mention preseason conference title favorite Florida Atlantic (1-1 in C-USA), whom MT has already beaten.
In order to keep pace in the crowded C-USA East race, Middle Tennessee needs to rebound with a homecoming win on Saturday over a surprising Charlotte team (3-3), with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. at Floyd Stadium.
The 49ers feature one of the better defenses in the league, ranking first in rushing defense (92.7 yards allowed) and third in total defense (329.8 yards per game).
"This is a good football team that we're getting ready to play," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "They're really good on defense … and are limiting the opportunities you get as an offense.
"I take my hat off to Brad Lambert and the job he's doing there at Charlotte … you can just see his influence and the direction that he's got this program going."
Historically, the Blue Raiders have had little issue with Charlotte, leading the all-time series 3-0 and outscoring the 49ers 146-66 combined.
This year's version of the 49ers is unlike any they've squared off against, though.
Charlotte was picked last in the East in the preseason by conference media members after registering a 4-20 record in its first three seasons in C-USA. With wins over Old Dominion and WKU this year, however, the 49ers find themselves in their first conference title race since becoming an FBS member in 2015.
"It's a much-improved team from last year," Stockstill said. "I told our team yesterday that this is the best Charlotte team that we've played since they came into the conference."
Not only will Charlotte possibly compete better than they ever have against Middle Tennessee, but it'll also look different schematically.
Head coach Brad Lambert, the only coach the 49ers have had since starting the program in 2013, hired new offensive and defensive coordinators this season in Shane Montgomery and Glenn Spencer.
"Brad Lambert has done a really, really good job there in building that program," Stockstill said. "I have so much respect for him as a coach and as a person.
"They're a lot more multiple on both sides of the ball, but more so defensively. The schemes are so different each game defensively … and offensively, they're hanging their hat a little more on the running game than they've done in the past."
A win on homecoming will be critical for Middle Tennessee's C-USA title chances. It won't come easily against a revamped Charlotte squad that's out for blood.
"I like our team, and that hasn't changed," Stockstill said. "We got kicked in the teeth [last week], and you're sick to your stomach, we all are. But, it's time to move on, and that's what we do."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
The loss puts the Blue Raiders (3-3) in a tie with Marshall and Charlotte at 2-1 in conference play, while FIU (4-2) takes sole possession of first with a 2-0 record. The Panthers still have to play Marshall and Charlotte, not to mention preseason conference title favorite Florida Atlantic (1-1 in C-USA), whom MT has already beaten.
In order to keep pace in the crowded C-USA East race, Middle Tennessee needs to rebound with a homecoming win on Saturday over a surprising Charlotte team (3-3), with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. at Floyd Stadium.
The 49ers feature one of the better defenses in the league, ranking first in rushing defense (92.7 yards allowed) and third in total defense (329.8 yards per game).
"This is a good football team that we're getting ready to play," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "They're really good on defense … and are limiting the opportunities you get as an offense.
"I take my hat off to Brad Lambert and the job he's doing there at Charlotte … you can just see his influence and the direction that he's got this program going."
Historically, the Blue Raiders have had little issue with Charlotte, leading the all-time series 3-0 and outscoring the 49ers 146-66 combined.
This year's version of the 49ers is unlike any they've squared off against, though.
Charlotte was picked last in the East in the preseason by conference media members after registering a 4-20 record in its first three seasons in C-USA. With wins over Old Dominion and WKU this year, however, the 49ers find themselves in their first conference title race since becoming an FBS member in 2015.
"It's a much-improved team from last year," Stockstill said. "I told our team yesterday that this is the best Charlotte team that we've played since they came into the conference."
Not only will Charlotte possibly compete better than they ever have against Middle Tennessee, but it'll also look different schematically.
Head coach Brad Lambert, the only coach the 49ers have had since starting the program in 2013, hired new offensive and defensive coordinators this season in Shane Montgomery and Glenn Spencer.
"Brad Lambert has done a really, really good job there in building that program," Stockstill said. "I have so much respect for him as a coach and as a person.
"They're a lot more multiple on both sides of the ball, but more so defensively. The schemes are so different each game defensively … and offensively, they're hanging their hat a little more on the running game than they've done in the past."
A win on homecoming will be critical for Middle Tennessee's C-USA title chances. It won't come easily against a revamped Charlotte squad that's out for blood.
"I like our team, and that hasn't changed," Stockstill said. "We got kicked in the teeth [last week], and you're sick to your stomach, we all are. But, it's time to move on, and that's what we do."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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