Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Lee finding stride important for MT passing attack
10/24/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The past few years, Middle Tennessee's offense hasn't experienced many slumps, particularly in the passing game.
Since offensive coordinator Tony Franklin arrived on campus in 2016, the Blue Raiders have averaged 274 yards per game passing, making them one of the best air attacks in Conference USA and the nation.
This season has seen uncharacteristic inconsistency in the air, though.
Middle Tennessee has ended four games with less than 200 passing yards, including the last two, and is 1-3 in those contests.
"We've played good at times this year, but we want to be more consistent," redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "Our defense has kept us in a lot of games, and it's been a complete team effort this season. We just need to find ways to get more explosive plays and stay on the field longer."
Despite their struggles through the air, the Blue Raiders have shown some signs of life, most notably between their quarterback and No. 1 receiver.
Stockstill has a career average of 273.4 passing yards per game, throwing for more than 10,000 yards and 90 touchdowns to lead the program all-time.
More than 1,900 of those yards have gone to junior wideout Ty Lee.
The quiet leader of the receiving corps didn't get off to a great start in 2018, catching only 10 balls for 50 yards through three games. The last four, though, he's upped his output to 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, both coming on homecoming against Charlotte.
He's led the team in receiving each of the last three games, finding a better connectivity with his QB.
"Every week, Coach Franklin has said he's going to get me more targets," Lee said. "I'm always confident and just trying to give it everything I've got.
"I trust Brent to put it where I need it, and I just go and get it for him. He's the man, he's the GOAT."
The quiet three-game start was abnormal for Lee, who ranks in the top 10 at MT all-time in catches (173, fourth), receiving yards (1,967, sixth) and receiving TDs (16, tied for seventh).
He's finding more and more comfortability in a new role, though, as evidenced by his production the last few weeks.
Lee has played on the outside more this season rather than in the slot, where he made a name for himself the last two years playing alongside Middle Tennessee all-time leading receiver Richie James.
The change has caused Lee to develop more as a pass-catcher, even incorporating some new routes into his repertoire. One of those is a back-shoulder fade, a throw dependent on perfect timing that Lee and Stockstill have connected on several times for key gains.
"Really, that's on Brent. He's putting it where it needs to be," Lee said. "That's something we got in the spring and the fall. We're hitting it in games, and nobody is stopping it. We'll keep hitting it when we can get the chance."
Middle Tennessee has some favorable matchups the next three games, with opponents ranking in the bottom half of Conference USA in total and scoring defense.
It's setting up as prime opportunity for the Blue Raiders' best receiver to keep finding his stride.
"I just have to keep catching everything that comes my way," Lee said.
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.
Since offensive coordinator Tony Franklin arrived on campus in 2016, the Blue Raiders have averaged 274 yards per game passing, making them one of the best air attacks in Conference USA and the nation.
This season has seen uncharacteristic inconsistency in the air, though.
Middle Tennessee has ended four games with less than 200 passing yards, including the last two, and is 1-3 in those contests.
"We've played good at times this year, but we want to be more consistent," redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "Our defense has kept us in a lot of games, and it's been a complete team effort this season. We just need to find ways to get more explosive plays and stay on the field longer."
Despite their struggles through the air, the Blue Raiders have shown some signs of life, most notably between their quarterback and No. 1 receiver.
Stockstill has a career average of 273.4 passing yards per game, throwing for more than 10,000 yards and 90 touchdowns to lead the program all-time.
More than 1,900 of those yards have gone to junior wideout Ty Lee.
The quiet leader of the receiving corps didn't get off to a great start in 2018, catching only 10 balls for 50 yards through three games. The last four, though, he's upped his output to 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, both coming on homecoming against Charlotte.
He's led the team in receiving each of the last three games, finding a better connectivity with his QB.
"Every week, Coach Franklin has said he's going to get me more targets," Lee said. "I'm always confident and just trying to give it everything I've got.
"I trust Brent to put it where I need it, and I just go and get it for him. He's the man, he's the GOAT."
The quiet three-game start was abnormal for Lee, who ranks in the top 10 at MT all-time in catches (173, fourth), receiving yards (1,967, sixth) and receiving TDs (16, tied for seventh).
He's finding more and more comfortability in a new role, though, as evidenced by his production the last few weeks.
Lee has played on the outside more this season rather than in the slot, where he made a name for himself the last two years playing alongside Middle Tennessee all-time leading receiver Richie James.
The change has caused Lee to develop more as a pass-catcher, even incorporating some new routes into his repertoire. One of those is a back-shoulder fade, a throw dependent on perfect timing that Lee and Stockstill have connected on several times for key gains.
"Really, that's on Brent. He's putting it where it needs to be," Lee said. "That's something we got in the spring and the fall. We're hitting it in games, and nobody is stopping it. We'll keep hitting it when we can get the chance."
Middle Tennessee has some favorable matchups the next three games, with opponents ranking in the bottom half of Conference USA in total and scoring defense.
It's setting up as prime opportunity for the Blue Raiders' best receiver to keep finding his stride.
"I just have to keep catching everything that comes my way," Lee said.
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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