Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Stockstill sees 'mixed bag' in second scrimmage
8/17/2018 4:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –Middle Tennessee held its second full team scrimmage of the season Friday, marking the halfway point of fall camp.
While there were still plenty of things head coach Rick Stockstill saw that need corrected, plenty of improvement was shown, too.
"It was a little bit of a mixed bag," the 13-year head man said. "I thought our first offense looked really sharp – I thought we came out and executed the offense really well. I don't think we tackled as well as we need to tackle … but we made some nice plays on the defensive side.
"Overall, it was better than the first [scrimmage]. Still not good enough to win right now, but there was some improvement out there."
Big plays were made in each phase of the game.
The offense was highlighted by a pinballing 30-yard touchdown run from redshirt junior Maurice Gordon on the first drive, and redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill also hit a diving Ty Lee on a nice 17-yard play from the opponent's 2-yard line.
Defensively, some plays were made in the backfield, including a few gang tackles for loss and another gang sack led by redshirt freshmen linebackers Cody Smith and Cain McWilliams.
Redshirt sophomore placekicker Crews Holt, who'll be the full-time field goal kicker for the first time this season, also had a good day. He missed from 52 and 29 yards but hit others from 41, 41, 30 and 32 yards, continuing what Coach Stockstill said has been a good camp so far.
"Crews has kicked really well all camp," Coach Stockstill said. "He's been very consistent, and he kicked well today. He just has to do it when the lights come on."
Some other big plays were negated by penalties, something Coach Stockstill was also displeased with in the team's first scrimmage.
"We had a lot of penalties that we have to get corrected," he said. "After the first couple of drives, when we took some of our starters out, a lot of new guys were playing. They have to know how to get lined up and go when the ball snaps. That was the disappointing part."
Quick stats leaders
Passing
Chase Cunningham: 7-12, 44 yds.
Chance Nolan: 4-6, 59 yds., 1 TD
Rushing
Maurice Gordon: 3 rushes, 38 yds., 1 TD
Tavares Thomas: 3 rushes, 24 yds.
Receiving
Zack Dobson: 4 receptions, 35 yds.
Defense
Team: 9 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups
Cain McWilliams: .5 sack, 2 TFLs
Cody Smith: .5 sack, 1 TFL
Gregory Grate Jr.: 1 INT
Other TFLs: Wayne Parks, Darius Harris, Malik Manciel, Aaron Griffith, Jordan Branch, Ja'Kerrius Wyatt
Fan Day is Sunday
Blue Raider fans can get their first autographs from all of the fall sports teams on Sunday at the annual Fan Day inside Floyd Stadium.
From 2-4 p.m., fans will have the chance to meet members of the football, soccer and volleyball teams; get autographs signed; pick up an "Our Town. Our Team." yard sign and schedule posters; and check out several sponsors who will be set up in the North end zone providing free giveaways.
The Blue Raider Ticket Office will also be holding a select-a-seat event inside Floyd Stadium. This provides fans a chance to see which seats are still available for the 2017 season. The Ticket Office is located outside of Gate 3.
Coach Stockstill said he hopes to see all Blue Raider fans come out to support MT's fall sports.
"It's always fun, and I always appreciate the people who come out for it," he said. "I know our guys get excited for it every year … I hope everybody will come out to support our teams."
While there were still plenty of things head coach Rick Stockstill saw that need corrected, plenty of improvement was shown, too.
"It was a little bit of a mixed bag," the 13-year head man said. "I thought our first offense looked really sharp – I thought we came out and executed the offense really well. I don't think we tackled as well as we need to tackle … but we made some nice plays on the defensive side.
"Overall, it was better than the first [scrimmage]. Still not good enough to win right now, but there was some improvement out there."
Big plays were made in each phase of the game.
The offense was highlighted by a pinballing 30-yard touchdown run from redshirt junior Maurice Gordon on the first drive, and redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill also hit a diving Ty Lee on a nice 17-yard play from the opponent's 2-yard line.
Defensively, some plays were made in the backfield, including a few gang tackles for loss and another gang sack led by redshirt freshmen linebackers Cody Smith and Cain McWilliams.
Redshirt sophomore placekicker Crews Holt, who'll be the full-time field goal kicker for the first time this season, also had a good day. He missed from 52 and 29 yards but hit others from 41, 41, 30 and 32 yards, continuing what Coach Stockstill said has been a good camp so far.
"Crews has kicked really well all camp," Coach Stockstill said. "He's been very consistent, and he kicked well today. He just has to do it when the lights come on."
Some other big plays were negated by penalties, something Coach Stockstill was also displeased with in the team's first scrimmage.
"We had a lot of penalties that we have to get corrected," he said. "After the first couple of drives, when we took some of our starters out, a lot of new guys were playing. They have to know how to get lined up and go when the ball snaps. That was the disappointing part."
Quick stats leaders
Passing
Chase Cunningham: 7-12, 44 yds.
Chance Nolan: 4-6, 59 yds., 1 TD
Rushing
Maurice Gordon: 3 rushes, 38 yds., 1 TD
Tavares Thomas: 3 rushes, 24 yds.
Receiving
Zack Dobson: 4 receptions, 35 yds.
Defense
Team: 9 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups
Cain McWilliams: .5 sack, 2 TFLs
Cody Smith: .5 sack, 1 TFL
Gregory Grate Jr.: 1 INT
Other TFLs: Wayne Parks, Darius Harris, Malik Manciel, Aaron Griffith, Jordan Branch, Ja'Kerrius Wyatt
Fan Day is Sunday
Blue Raider fans can get their first autographs from all of the fall sports teams on Sunday at the annual Fan Day inside Floyd Stadium.
From 2-4 p.m., fans will have the chance to meet members of the football, soccer and volleyball teams; get autographs signed; pick up an "Our Town. Our Team." yard sign and schedule posters; and check out several sponsors who will be set up in the North end zone providing free giveaways.
The Blue Raider Ticket Office will also be holding a select-a-seat event inside Floyd Stadium. This provides fans a chance to see which seats are still available for the 2017 season. The Ticket Office is located outside of Gate 3.
Coach Stockstill said he hopes to see all Blue Raider fans come out to support MT's fall sports.
"It's always fun, and I always appreciate the people who come out for it," he said. "I know our guys get excited for it every year … I hope everybody will come out to support our teams."
Players Mentioned
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