Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Raiders ready for another November to remember
10/28/2019 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Mother Nature helped Middle Tennessee get back on track Saturday in a homecoming win over FIU, and now the calendar flips to its most-favorable month.
The Blue Raiders used a heavy downpour in the second half to run roughshod over the Panthers. Their 471 rushing yards went down as the fourth most in program single-game history, and for the first time ever, three players — Asher O'Hara (159), Jayy McDonald (138) and Terelle West (130) — eclipsed 100 rushing yards in the same game. The 471 yards was also the most by any Group of 5 team in the NCAA this season and the second most overall.
It was a good sign for the Raiders, who've struggled at times this year running the ball with players who aren't O'Hara. He's rushed for 609 yards, third most in the country among quarterbacks.
"We have gotten a little bit better each week running the ball," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Now, Terelle and Jayy, hopefully they have a little more confidence coming off the games they had so we don't have to rely so much on Asher in the run game for production."
They'll need that running attack to stay dangerous heading into November, when historically they've played their best football.
Since Stockstill was hired in 2006, MT holds a 32-17 overall record in the penultimate month of the year, including wins in 12 of the last 16 games in the month. That's the most wins for the program in any month under the 14-year head man.
"It's the old saying, 'You remember November,'" Stockstill said. "There's a lot on the line when you get to the last month of the season … and I take pride in how we play in November.
"It goes back to finishing what you started. It doesn't matter if you're 3-5 or 8-0, you have to finish. That's what I'm proud of our teams, because we'll always fight, compete and play as hard as we can until the end."
A promising November could again be in store for Middle Tennessee, as the schedule appears to be lightening up for the remaining four games. The next three contests are against Conference USA teams with a combined 4-20 record before the season finale at WKU.
The Blue Raiders (3-5, 2-2) will begin the month with a road trip to Charlotte (3-5, 1-3), which beat North Texas 39-38 Saturday on a last-minute touchdown.
Though they're 0-4 all-time against MT and are in the first year under new head coach Will Healy, the 49ers will still present a challenge. Mainly, from running back Benny LeMay, who paces C-USA with 822 rushing yards this season.
"They're coming off a really exciting, dramatic win," Stockstill said. "I think Charlotte is a really good football team. A staple of their program … is they play hard.
"Benny LeMay, I think, is really good. He's physical, he runs behind his pads and he's a really tough, hard-nosed runner … and they utilize him a lot in the passing game, probably more so than they ever have. He's a guy that's very dangerous."
If Middle Tennessee can slow LeMay and Charlotte down, it'll be set up for another November victory. Then, a couple more will bring six wins and bowl eligibility for the 11th time in 14 years.
November could prove fruitful for the Blue Raiders yet again, and they'll need it.
The Blue Raiders used a heavy downpour in the second half to run roughshod over the Panthers. Their 471 rushing yards went down as the fourth most in program single-game history, and for the first time ever, three players — Asher O'Hara (159), Jayy McDonald (138) and Terelle West (130) — eclipsed 100 rushing yards in the same game. The 471 yards was also the most by any Group of 5 team in the NCAA this season and the second most overall.
It was a good sign for the Raiders, who've struggled at times this year running the ball with players who aren't O'Hara. He's rushed for 609 yards, third most in the country among quarterbacks.
"We have gotten a little bit better each week running the ball," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Now, Terelle and Jayy, hopefully they have a little more confidence coming off the games they had so we don't have to rely so much on Asher in the run game for production."
They'll need that running attack to stay dangerous heading into November, when historically they've played their best football.
Since Stockstill was hired in 2006, MT holds a 32-17 overall record in the penultimate month of the year, including wins in 12 of the last 16 games in the month. That's the most wins for the program in any month under the 14-year head man.
"It's the old saying, 'You remember November,'" Stockstill said. "There's a lot on the line when you get to the last month of the season … and I take pride in how we play in November.
"It goes back to finishing what you started. It doesn't matter if you're 3-5 or 8-0, you have to finish. That's what I'm proud of our teams, because we'll always fight, compete and play as hard as we can until the end."
A promising November could again be in store for Middle Tennessee, as the schedule appears to be lightening up for the remaining four games. The next three contests are against Conference USA teams with a combined 4-20 record before the season finale at WKU.
The Blue Raiders (3-5, 2-2) will begin the month with a road trip to Charlotte (3-5, 1-3), which beat North Texas 39-38 Saturday on a last-minute touchdown.
Though they're 0-4 all-time against MT and are in the first year under new head coach Will Healy, the 49ers will still present a challenge. Mainly, from running back Benny LeMay, who paces C-USA with 822 rushing yards this season.
"They're coming off a really exciting, dramatic win," Stockstill said. "I think Charlotte is a really good football team. A staple of their program … is they play hard.
"Benny LeMay, I think, is really good. He's physical, he runs behind his pads and he's a really tough, hard-nosed runner … and they utilize him a lot in the passing game, probably more so than they ever have. He's a guy that's very dangerous."
If Middle Tennessee can slow LeMay and Charlotte down, it'll be set up for another November victory. Then, a couple more will bring six wins and bowl eligibility for the 11th time in 14 years.
November could prove fruitful for the Blue Raiders yet again, and they'll need it.
MTSU Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference 1/17/26
Saturday, January 17
Introducing Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach - Anthony Scelfo
Tuesday, January 13
MTSU Football Signing Day Press Conference 12/3/25
Wednesday, December 03
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Sunday, November 30
