Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
History points to run game as key for MT this week
10/30/2019 5:00:00 PM | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The clock was ticking on Middle Tennessee.
With just over a minute remaining in its first-ever trip to Charlotte to take on the 49ers in 2016, the Blue Raiders found themselves in a stalemate, 31-31, trying to end a two-game losing streak.
After a Charlotte punt, quarterback John Urzua, filling in for an injured Brent Stockstill, completed two passes to start the drive, setting MT up with a first down at its own 39.
Urzua dropped back on first down and fired towards freshman wideout Ty Lee. The pass was incomplete, the second time in a row the duo had failed to connect — the other was on third down the previous drive, forcing the Raiders to punt.
The incompletion brought a second and 10, and with the clock ticking under a minute and a half left, overtime was becoming more of a definite than a possibility.
Lee had other ideas.
Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin sent his prized freshman into the backfield with Urzua, and, maybe surprising the 49er defenders, called for the 5-foot-9, 155-pound receiver to get the handoff.
The rest was history.
Lee found a giant hole in front of him and took the carry 61 yards untouched for a game-winning touchdown, giving Middle Tennessee a 38-31 lead with 1:12 remaining.
"The possession before that play, I dropped a third-down ball," Lee said. "I prayed on the sideline to make a play, and next thing I know, I break off a 60-yarder."
Lee's performance that day — he rushed for 68 yards on two carries and caught five passes for 71 yards and another TD — was a sign of things to come for the Moultrie, Georgia native against Charlotte.
He's become one of the greatest wideouts in MT history and is nearing almost every program receiving record, and he should thank the 49ers for some of it. In three games against the Conference USA foe, Lee has caught 17 passes for 252 yards and five total touchdowns, including the 61-yard rush.
"They try to go man a lot," he said. "Them going man just makes me have to make a play."
It hasn't just been Lee who's torched Charlotte. In the teams' four meetings, the Blue Raiders have racked up almost 433 yards per game, 184 coming on the ground.
I'Tavius Mathers joined Lee with a big day in 2016, taking 16 carries for 101 yards. Then, the next year, Tavares Thomas had a career day against the 49ers with 29 totes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Not to be left out, in the first meeting in 2015, Jordan Parker carried the rock 14 times for 142 yards and three scores.
For Middle Tennessee to move to 5-0 all-time against Charlotte when the squads meet Saturday, it'll likely need another big day on the ground. Luckily, the Blue Raiders are taking some rushing momentum to North Carolina.
Against FIU last week, Middle Tennessee set a team record with three players going for more than 100 yards on the ground — redshirt sophomore quarterback Asher O'Hara with 159, junior Jayy McDonald with 138 and redshirt senior Terelle West with 130.
It's been a struggle finding consistency from MT's running backs this year. O'Hara leads the team with 609 rushing yards, but no other player has eclipsed 210 on the season. However, the big game against FIU might've been the shot in the arm they needed.
"It was big, but it's a new week," West said. "We just have to be ready every week.
"The O-line has been getting better every week. Early in the season, it can be hard to get the running game down pat, but I feel like as the weeks go on, we get better and better each week."
Charlotte has had its own struggles this season stopping the run, ranking 11th in C-USA giving up 199.5 yards per game on the ground.
The Blue Raiders might just be set up for another big day rushing, but if they struggle, don't be surprised to see Franklin sneak a receiver into the backfield to break off a big one. They've done it before, and it turned into a last-minute victory.
With just over a minute remaining in its first-ever trip to Charlotte to take on the 49ers in 2016, the Blue Raiders found themselves in a stalemate, 31-31, trying to end a two-game losing streak.
After a Charlotte punt, quarterback John Urzua, filling in for an injured Brent Stockstill, completed two passes to start the drive, setting MT up with a first down at its own 39.
Urzua dropped back on first down and fired towards freshman wideout Ty Lee. The pass was incomplete, the second time in a row the duo had failed to connect — the other was on third down the previous drive, forcing the Raiders to punt.
The incompletion brought a second and 10, and with the clock ticking under a minute and a half left, overtime was becoming more of a definite than a possibility.
Lee had other ideas.
Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin sent his prized freshman into the backfield with Urzua, and, maybe surprising the 49er defenders, called for the 5-foot-9, 155-pound receiver to get the handoff.
The rest was history.
Lee found a giant hole in front of him and took the carry 61 yards untouched for a game-winning touchdown, giving Middle Tennessee a 38-31 lead with 1:12 remaining.
"The possession before that play, I dropped a third-down ball," Lee said. "I prayed on the sideline to make a play, and next thing I know, I break off a 60-yarder."
Lee's performance that day — he rushed for 68 yards on two carries and caught five passes for 71 yards and another TD — was a sign of things to come for the Moultrie, Georgia native against Charlotte.
He's become one of the greatest wideouts in MT history and is nearing almost every program receiving record, and he should thank the 49ers for some of it. In three games against the Conference USA foe, Lee has caught 17 passes for 252 yards and five total touchdowns, including the 61-yard rush.
"They try to go man a lot," he said. "Them going man just makes me have to make a play."
It hasn't just been Lee who's torched Charlotte. In the teams' four meetings, the Blue Raiders have racked up almost 433 yards per game, 184 coming on the ground.
I'Tavius Mathers joined Lee with a big day in 2016, taking 16 carries for 101 yards. Then, the next year, Tavares Thomas had a career day against the 49ers with 29 totes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Not to be left out, in the first meeting in 2015, Jordan Parker carried the rock 14 times for 142 yards and three scores.
For Middle Tennessee to move to 5-0 all-time against Charlotte when the squads meet Saturday, it'll likely need another big day on the ground. Luckily, the Blue Raiders are taking some rushing momentum to North Carolina.
Against FIU last week, Middle Tennessee set a team record with three players going for more than 100 yards on the ground — redshirt sophomore quarterback Asher O'Hara with 159, junior Jayy McDonald with 138 and redshirt senior Terelle West with 130.
It's been a struggle finding consistency from MT's running backs this year. O'Hara leads the team with 609 rushing yards, but no other player has eclipsed 210 on the season. However, the big game against FIU might've been the shot in the arm they needed.
"It was big, but it's a new week," West said. "We just have to be ready every week.
"The O-line has been getting better every week. Early in the season, it can be hard to get the running game down pat, but I feel like as the weeks go on, we get better and better each week."
Charlotte has had its own struggles this season stopping the run, ranking 11th in C-USA giving up 199.5 yards per game on the ground.
The Blue Raiders might just be set up for another big day rushing, but if they struggle, don't be surprised to see Franklin sneak a receiver into the backfield to break off a big one. They've done it before, and it turned into a last-minute victory.
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