Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raiders looking for better start against FIU
10/8/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
MIAMI, Fla. – With back-to-back wins over Conference USA East Division contenders Florida Atlantic and Marshall, Middle Tennessee is sitting high in the league standings.
The wins over the preseason C-USA title favorite (FAU) then the team projected to finish second in the East (Marshall) have given the Blue Raiders (3-2, 2-0) plenty to be encouraged about. That doesn't mean there still isn't plenty to improve upon with a road contest against FIU (3-2, 1-0) looming.
"Another exciting week and another challenge for our football team," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "As we evaluate FIU, I think it's probably the best FIU team we've played in a long time."
In their back-to-back conference wins, the Raiders have shown a great ability to adjust. They were outscored by 18 points combined in the first halves, but after halftime outscored the Owls and Thundering Herd 39-10 and outgained them 387-274 in total yards.
While the second half performances have been sensational, getting off to better starts is a point of emphasis for Stockstill's squad.
"We just have to play better, and our guys know that," he said. "Our players have corrected themselves throughout the course of the game … and I think our coaches have done a good job of that, also."
If Middle Tennessee spots the Panthers points on Saturday, it could be tough to make a comeback with how head coach Butch Davis' team operates offensively. His team is currently second in C-USA with a 38.2 points-per-game average.
FIU redshirt junior quarterback James Morgan has been the most efficient signal caller in the league so far this season, sporting a pass efficiency rating of 171.7 alongside a C-USA leading 12 touchdown tosses against just four interceptions. A three-headed running back monster has also given the Panthers the third-best rushing average (185 yards per game) in the league.
"We just have to do a good job of tackling," MT senior linebacker Darius Harris said. "We had a lot of missed tackles this past game, which we have to get cleaned up.
"We know it's going to be a dog fight going down there."
The Panthers' defense has also been good at limiting opposing offenses in the second half this season.
They've given up just 37 points after halftime, including a shutout in Week 2 against C-USA foe Old Dominion, and have the current leader in tackles per game in the league in junior linebacker Sage Lewis (12.2).
"They're a really good defense, and really well-coached," MT redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill said. "This will be three weeks in a row in the conference that we're playing really good teams.
"We'll have to have a good plan and execute … we have a mature team, and I think our guys know how important this game is."
The Blue Raiders' 2-0 start to the C-USA season has been impressive, but if they want to make it 3-0, they'll have to get off to a better start against FIU on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT in Miami.
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 wins over the preseason C-USA title favorite (FAU) then the team projected to finish second in the East (Marshall) have given the Blue Raiders (3-2, 2-0) plenty to be encouraged about. That doesn't mean there still isn't plenty to improve upon with a road contest against FIU (3-2, 1-0) looming.
"Another exciting week and another challenge for our football team," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "As we evaluate FIU, I think it's probably the best FIU team we've played in a long time."
In their back-to-back conference wins, the Raiders have shown a great ability to adjust. They were outscored by 18 points combined in the first halves, but after halftime outscored the Owls and Thundering Herd 39-10 and outgained them 387-274 in total yards.
While the second half performances have been sensational, getting off to better starts is a point of emphasis for Stockstill's squad.
"We just have to play better, and our guys know that," he said. "Our players have corrected themselves throughout the course of the game … and I think our coaches have done a good job of that, also."
If Middle Tennessee spots the Panthers points on Saturday, it could be tough to make a comeback with how head coach Butch Davis' team operates offensively. His team is currently second in C-USA with a 38.2 points-per-game average.
FIU redshirt junior quarterback James Morgan has been the most efficient signal caller in the league so far this season, sporting a pass efficiency rating of 171.7 alongside a C-USA leading 12 touchdown tosses against just four interceptions. A three-headed running back monster has also given the Panthers the third-best rushing average (185 yards per game) in the league.
"We just have to do a good job of tackling," MT senior linebacker Darius Harris said. "We had a lot of missed tackles this past game, which we have to get cleaned up.
"We know it's going to be a dog fight going down there."
The Panthers' defense has also been good at limiting opposing offenses in the second half this season.
They've given up just 37 points after halftime, including a shutout in Week 2 against C-USA foe Old Dominion, and have the current leader in tackles per game in the league in junior linebacker Sage Lewis (12.2).
"They're a really good defense, and really well-coached," MT redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill said. "This will be three weeks in a row in the conference that we're playing really good teams.
"We'll have to have a good plan and execute … we have a mature team, and I think our guys know how important this game is."
The Blue Raiders' 2-0 start to the C-USA season has been impressive, but if they want to make it 3-0, they'll have to get off to a better start against FIU on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT in Miami.
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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