Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Friday, November 2
Murfreesboro, TN
7:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
vs
Western Kentucky
Looking ahead to MT and WKU
11/1/2018 10:42:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The 100 Miles of Hate rivalry between Middle Tennessee and WKU will have the usual fire Friday night.
The Hilltoppers (1-7, 0-4) go into the game on a four-game losing streak, but they've beaten the Blue Raiders (5-3, 4-1) three straight times and would like nothing more than to all but crush MT's Conference USA title hopes.
"We all know [the history of the game], the rivalry of the game," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "When you look back over the years, it's two evenly matched teams. Usually it's a close game and goes down to the wire."
Kickoff on Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the contest will also serve as Middle Tennessee's annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 102.5 FM, 89.5 FM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM, 1450 AM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
Series history
Conference USA's most-played matchup between two current league teams has been incredibly close since it started in 1914, and it's been taken to a new level in the past six years.
Four of the last six meetings have gone to overtime, including the last two overall and the last three played in Murfreesboro.
Unfortunately for the Blue Raiders, who own the all-time series advantage 34-32-1, they're just 1-3 in those overtime games and 2-4 in the last six. They've also lost three in a row overall.
Last meeting
The 2017 version of the 100 Miles of Hate rivalry was the second straight that was decided thanks to a missed Middle Tennessee kick.
The Blue Raiders went into the penultimate week of the regular season needing a win to reach bowl eligibility, and they battled the Hilltoppers all the way to overtime tied at 24.
After both teams scored touchdowns on their first two drives of overtime, Middle Tennessee was halted on its third chance and forced to line up for a 42-yard field goal.
Canon Rooker, who had made seven straight field goals of more than 40 yards, was wide left on his attempt, giving WKU a chance to steal the win with a score on the ensuing drive.
The Hilltoppers nailed a 37-yard field goal, taking a 41-38 victory.
MT was led in the game by 294 yards and a touchdown passing from Brent Stockstill, and Tavares Thomas added 92 rushing yards and another 49 receiving with two TDs. Ty Lee led the receivers with 114 yards on 11 catches.
Defensively, Darius Harris had a fumble scoop and score of 40 yards, and five Blue Raiders had five double-digit tacklers. They forced five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Not the same Toppers
It's rather easy to see this isn't the same Hilltoppers team that has expected success in C-USA in past seasons.
WKU has featured one of the most potent offenses in the country the last four years, ranking in the top 10 nationally in passing offense each season. It's also had a top-15 defense as recently as 2013.
This year's version of the Toppers isn't as strong statistically.
WKU doesn't rank in the top half of the league in scoring offense or defense nor total offense or defense. It's pass offense is sixth (239.8 yards per game).
Despite the Hilltoppers' struggles, MT isn't taking its rival lightly.
"We're not looking for one second at their record, and we know we'll get their best shot," Rick Stockstill said. "We want to be sure we give them our best shot, too."
Defense on a tear
Middle Tennessee has rattled off four wins in its past five games, and the victories have come because of stingy defense.
The Blue Raiders have forced 12 turnovers over that span, seven coming via interceptions. Two of those picks were returned for scores, both coming last week against Old Dominion.
The first of the interceptions returned for a score against ODU ended up as an ESPN top-10 play.
As the first half clock ticked to zero, sophomore safety Reed Blankenship tipped a pass that was intended for a receiver in the end zone, and he corralled it one-handed, turned and ran more than 100 yards down the right sideline to give MT a 31-10 lead.
"It was a great pick and such a good play to make it all the way back," redshirt senior linebacker Darius Harris said. "I was sure he stepped out of bounds, but after he got out of the crowd, I knew he was gone.
"That brought the defense a lot of confidence and energy going into the half and put us in a good position going forward."
Blankenship has been the leader of the Blue Raider stoppers since C-USA play started.
After totaling just six tackles through the first two games, he was forced to sit out Week 3 at Georgia with a leg injury. He's responded since by racking up 57 total tackles in five games, including a career-high 17 against ODU to go with three tackles for loss and a sack.
The Athens, Alabama native was named MT's second Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week award winner in program history for his efforts.
Blankenship's 63 total tackles currently lead the team, and his nine tackles per game are sixth in C-USA.
Rushing offense finding stride?
Alongside their good defensive effort, the Blue Raiders were also granted with a good rushing attack against ODU.
Led by redshirt junior Terelle West, MT eclipsed the 200-yard plateau for the first time this season, finishing with 208 on 38 attempts.
West's 120 yards went down as a career high, and he was the first Middle Tennessee back to have a 100-yard rushing game this year. He also had a 71-yard TD run on his first touch of the game, one of two Blue Raider offensive plays that went for 70 yards against the Monarchs.
"The three seniors on the offensive line really had a good edge about them and took it personal that we needed to run the ball better," Rick Stockstill said. "Terelle ran hard and did a nice job when he was in there … Obviously, we had not been very good in the running game from a running back standpoint. So, it was nice to see that, and we need to continue that this week."
Middle Tennessee may want to keep riding the legs of its backs against WKU.
The Hilltoppers rank eighth in C-USA in rushing defense (175 yards per game allowed) and have allowed more than 200 yards in three games this season.
In its last three outings, WKU has surrendered an average of 196 yards on the ground and nine total touchdowns.
Stockstill looking for first win over WKU
Middle Tennessee redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill has had success against just about every Conference USA opponent since taking over as the starter in 2015.
He's had some struggles against his rival, though.
It's not Stockstill's stats that leave something to be desired, as he's racked up an average of 341 yards per game against the Hilltoppers with seven TDs against two interceptions. It's the wins that MT's all-time leading passer is missing.
The Murfreesboro native is 0-3 all-time against WKU, something he badly wants to change come Friday night.
"I just know I need to give everything for my teammates and prepare the best I can and play hard, and then at the end of the game, look at the scoreboard and see what happened," he said. "It's more of an internal thing and a battle within myself, but that won't change the way I prepare or play."
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 Hilltoppers (1-7, 0-4) go into the game on a four-game losing streak, but they've beaten the Blue Raiders (5-3, 4-1) three straight times and would like nothing more than to all but crush MT's Conference USA title hopes.
"We all know [the history of the game], the rivalry of the game," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said at Monday's weekly press conference. "When you look back over the years, it's two evenly matched teams. Usually it's a close game and goes down to the wire."
Kickoff on Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the contest will also serve as Middle Tennessee's annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 102.5 FM, 89.5 FM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM, 1450 AM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
Series history
Conference USA's most-played matchup between two current league teams has been incredibly close since it started in 1914, and it's been taken to a new level in the past six years.
Four of the last six meetings have gone to overtime, including the last two overall and the last three played in Murfreesboro.
Unfortunately for the Blue Raiders, who own the all-time series advantage 34-32-1, they're just 1-3 in those overtime games and 2-4 in the last six. They've also lost three in a row overall.
Last meeting
The 2017 version of the 100 Miles of Hate rivalry was the second straight that was decided thanks to a missed Middle Tennessee kick.
The Blue Raiders went into the penultimate week of the regular season needing a win to reach bowl eligibility, and they battled the Hilltoppers all the way to overtime tied at 24.
After both teams scored touchdowns on their first two drives of overtime, Middle Tennessee was halted on its third chance and forced to line up for a 42-yard field goal.
Canon Rooker, who had made seven straight field goals of more than 40 yards, was wide left on his attempt, giving WKU a chance to steal the win with a score on the ensuing drive.
The Hilltoppers nailed a 37-yard field goal, taking a 41-38 victory.
MT was led in the game by 294 yards and a touchdown passing from Brent Stockstill, and Tavares Thomas added 92 rushing yards and another 49 receiving with two TDs. Ty Lee led the receivers with 114 yards on 11 catches.
Defensively, Darius Harris had a fumble scoop and score of 40 yards, and five Blue Raiders had five double-digit tacklers. They forced five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Not the same Toppers
It's rather easy to see this isn't the same Hilltoppers team that has expected success in C-USA in past seasons.
WKU has featured one of the most potent offenses in the country the last four years, ranking in the top 10 nationally in passing offense each season. It's also had a top-15 defense as recently as 2013.
This year's version of the Toppers isn't as strong statistically.
WKU doesn't rank in the top half of the league in scoring offense or defense nor total offense or defense. It's pass offense is sixth (239.8 yards per game).
Despite the Hilltoppers' struggles, MT isn't taking its rival lightly.
"We're not looking for one second at their record, and we know we'll get their best shot," Rick Stockstill said. "We want to be sure we give them our best shot, too."
Defense on a tear
Middle Tennessee has rattled off four wins in its past five games, and the victories have come because of stingy defense.
The Blue Raiders have forced 12 turnovers over that span, seven coming via interceptions. Two of those picks were returned for scores, both coming last week against Old Dominion.
The first of the interceptions returned for a score against ODU ended up as an ESPN top-10 play.
As the first half clock ticked to zero, sophomore safety Reed Blankenship tipped a pass that was intended for a receiver in the end zone, and he corralled it one-handed, turned and ran more than 100 yards down the right sideline to give MT a 31-10 lead.
"It was a great pick and such a good play to make it all the way back," redshirt senior linebacker Darius Harris said. "I was sure he stepped out of bounds, but after he got out of the crowd, I knew he was gone.
"That brought the defense a lot of confidence and energy going into the half and put us in a good position going forward."
Blankenship has been the leader of the Blue Raider stoppers since C-USA play started.
After totaling just six tackles through the first two games, he was forced to sit out Week 3 at Georgia with a leg injury. He's responded since by racking up 57 total tackles in five games, including a career-high 17 against ODU to go with three tackles for loss and a sack.
The Athens, Alabama native was named MT's second Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week award winner in program history for his efforts.
Blankenship's 63 total tackles currently lead the team, and his nine tackles per game are sixth in C-USA.
Rushing offense finding stride?
Alongside their good defensive effort, the Blue Raiders were also granted with a good rushing attack against ODU.
Led by redshirt junior Terelle West, MT eclipsed the 200-yard plateau for the first time this season, finishing with 208 on 38 attempts.
West's 120 yards went down as a career high, and he was the first Middle Tennessee back to have a 100-yard rushing game this year. He also had a 71-yard TD run on his first touch of the game, one of two Blue Raider offensive plays that went for 70 yards against the Monarchs.
"The three seniors on the offensive line really had a good edge about them and took it personal that we needed to run the ball better," Rick Stockstill said. "Terelle ran hard and did a nice job when he was in there … Obviously, we had not been very good in the running game from a running back standpoint. So, it was nice to see that, and we need to continue that this week."
Middle Tennessee may want to keep riding the legs of its backs against WKU.
The Hilltoppers rank eighth in C-USA in rushing defense (175 yards per game allowed) and have allowed more than 200 yards in three games this season.
In its last three outings, WKU has surrendered an average of 196 yards on the ground and nine total touchdowns.
Stockstill looking for first win over WKU
Middle Tennessee redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill has had success against just about every Conference USA opponent since taking over as the starter in 2015.
He's had some struggles against his rival, though.
It's not Stockstill's stats that leave something to be desired, as he's racked up an average of 341 yards per game against the Hilltoppers with seven TDs against two interceptions. It's the wins that MT's all-time leading passer is missing.
The Murfreesboro native is 0-3 all-time against WKU, something he badly wants to change come Friday night.
"I just know I need to give everything for my teammates and prepare the best I can and play hard, and then at the end of the game, look at the scoreboard and see what happened," he said. "It's more of an internal thing and a battle within myself, but that won't change the way I prepare or play."
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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