Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Looking ahead to MT and Marshall
10/4/2019 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Four grueling nonconference games are in the books, and now Middle Tennessee's focus turns to Conference USA division title defense.
The defending East Division champion Blue Raiders (1-3) kick off their C-USA slate Saturday at home against the always-tough Marshall Thundering Herd (2-2).
"Opening up conference play this week, we're excited to get started in that," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We've got a tough challenge ahead of us, and we're looking forward to it."
The contest is scheduled for a 2:35 p.m. kickoff inside Floyd Stadium.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: CBSSN on Facebook
Radio: The Game 102.5/97.5 FM, WGNS 100.5 FM/1450 AM/101.9 FM, WDUC 93.9 FM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
Coaches tale of the tape
Rick Stockstill
Record, in conference (C-USA, Sun Belt): 88-81 (14th year), 65-36
Bowl appearances, record: 8 (2018 New Orleans Bowl), 2-6
Accolades: 6-time coach of the year, 2018 C-USA COY, sixth-longest tenured coach in the country, 3rd all-time at MT in wins
Doc Holliday
Record, at Marshall: 72-48 (10th year), same
Bowl appearances as head coach (last), record: 6 (2018 Gasparilla Bowl), 6-0
Accolades: Marshall has longest bowl winning streak in the country (7), 6 bowl wins are most in program history, three straight 10-win seasons (2013-15), 26 All-C-USA first team selections, 9 C-USA Players of the Year, 5 All-Americans, C-USA championship in 2014, C-USA division titles in 2013-14, ranked No. 22 in Coaches Poll and 23 in AP Poll in 2014, C-USA Coach of the Year in 2014
Stockstill on Holliday: "I have a ton of respect for Marshall's football program, Doc Holliday, his coaching staff and what they've done there since he's been there … his players and how they play the game, the toughness they play with, I have a lot of respect for those guys."
Series history
Middle Tennessee and Marshall have been Conference USA foes since the Blue Raiders entered the league in 2013, but their series predates that. The two also met in the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs twice, first in the 1992 quarterfinals and again two years later in the first round, both Herd victories.
Since MT joined C-USA in 2013, the two have split six meetings 3-3. The Blue Raiders won their first game over Marshall in 2013, a thrilling 51-49 contest in Murfreesboro.
In its three wins in the series, Middle Tennessee has margins of victory of two, three (triple overtime in 2015) and 10 (last season). Two of those wins have come at home, where MT holds a 2-1 record against the Thundering Herd, while last year's victory was in Huntington.
Last meeting
After falling in their first four tries at beating Marshall on the road, the Blue Raiders finally got over the hump last season, going to Huntington and leaving with a 34-24 victory.
The win was spurred by a big second half, when MT outscored the Herd 24-7 to turn a 17-10 halftime deficit into a 10-point win. Its defense led the way in the second half, limiting the home team to just 149 total yards after the break.
Middle Tennessee's defense was led by a big game from safety Jovante Moffatt. The now redshirt senior, who played in four games last year, racked up a career-high 17 tackles to go with a forced fumble. Fellow redshirt senior Khalil Brooks also had a standout performance, totaling 11 tackles to go with two of MT's five sacks.
Offensively, quarterback Brent Stockstill had a normal Stockstill-like performance, throwing for 317 yards and a touchdown and adding 31 yards rushing and another score.
Run, run, run
Missing from last year's matchup was Marshall starting quarterback Isaiah Green. The redshirt sophomore was injured for three games, and his absence caused the Herd offense to derail in the second half of the contest.
Back in the fold this season, Green has made his presence known with his arm and legs. He's one of the most athletic quarterbacks in C-USA and loves to utilize his running ability, ranking third on the team with 24 rushing attempts this year.
Stopping Green and a stable of running backs, led by fellow redshirt sophomore Brendan Knox (296 rushing yards, four TDs this season), will be key No. 1 for Stockstill and his defense. The Blue Raiders have given up 254.3 yards per game on the ground so far, but that may be a little misleading because of the competition they've faced.
"It starts with we've got to stop the run," Stockstill said. "They're averaging over 200 yards rushing a game … to me, that's where it starts — we've got to stop the run, limit the big play."
On the flip side, Stockstill wants to see his offense establish the run early, something they've failed to do consistently this season with players not named Asher O'Hara. The quarterback leads the team with 235 rushing yards.
Marshall has been susceptible to big runs the past two games, allowing 453 rushing yards combined against Cincinnati and Ohio. New defensive coordinator Brad Lambert — the former Charlotte head coach — has plenty of experience against MT, but, like most teams in the league, he's struggled in the past to slow down the Blue Raiders on the ground.
Since entering C-USA, Middle Tennessee has averaged 193.5 yards per game on the ground in conference games.
"It's really just about focusing on us," redshirt junior offensive lineman Will Gilchrist said about getting the run game going. "It's on us for shooting ourselves in the foot and getting a bunch of penalties here and there and getting behind the sticks. We need to come back to us and keep working and grinding every day."
Turnover time
One calling card for Middle Tennessee's defense in three years under defensive coordinator Scott Shafer has been forcing turnovers. However, the Blue Raiders haven't forced one since Week 2 against Tennessee State.
That will have to change Saturday in order to get MT's defense off the field quickly. The Raiders' stoppers are currently on the field for an average of almost 35 minutes per game.
"They can throw the ball well, they can run, they use a lot of sniffers, stuff like that with the tight ends," Moffatt said. "We know it's conference play, and in our conference, you're going to get a lot of throwing the ball and spreads and stuff like that. Going into this next game and going into this next week, teams are going to do things as we've talked about going into conference play."
On a positive note, while Middle Tennessee hasn't forced a turnover the last two games, it also hasn't committed any. Its turnover margin is currently zero (four gained, four lost).
Marshall has also given the ball away four times this season while grabbing five.
Title defense starts here
The defending C-USA East Division champions should feel good about starting their title defense at home. The Blue Raiders, who are 33-15 all-time against the league (not counting last season's championships game), are 23-5-1 all-time in conference home openers. They're also 5-1 in C-USA openers since joining the league.
Marshall was picked first in the East in the preseason by the conference's media members. Getting a leg up in the standings with a win over the favorite would be quite a way to start MT's title defense.
"Yeah, this is where it really matters," Moffatt said. "Everything that we want to accomplish is still in front of us. We all know that this is a big week and a big game. We're going to be ready."
The defending East Division champion Blue Raiders (1-3) kick off their C-USA slate Saturday at home against the always-tough Marshall Thundering Herd (2-2).
"Opening up conference play this week, we're excited to get started in that," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We've got a tough challenge ahead of us, and we're looking forward to it."
The contest is scheduled for a 2:35 p.m. kickoff inside Floyd Stadium.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: CBSSN on Facebook
Radio: The Game 102.5/97.5 FM, WGNS 100.5 FM/1450 AM/101.9 FM, WDUC 93.9 FM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app.
Coaches tale of the tape
Rick Stockstill
Record, in conference (C-USA, Sun Belt): 88-81 (14th year), 65-36
Bowl appearances, record: 8 (2018 New Orleans Bowl), 2-6
Accolades: 6-time coach of the year, 2018 C-USA COY, sixth-longest tenured coach in the country, 3rd all-time at MT in wins
Doc Holliday
Record, at Marshall: 72-48 (10th year), same
Bowl appearances as head coach (last), record: 6 (2018 Gasparilla Bowl), 6-0
Accolades: Marshall has longest bowl winning streak in the country (7), 6 bowl wins are most in program history, three straight 10-win seasons (2013-15), 26 All-C-USA first team selections, 9 C-USA Players of the Year, 5 All-Americans, C-USA championship in 2014, C-USA division titles in 2013-14, ranked No. 22 in Coaches Poll and 23 in AP Poll in 2014, C-USA Coach of the Year in 2014
Stockstill on Holliday: "I have a ton of respect for Marshall's football program, Doc Holliday, his coaching staff and what they've done there since he's been there … his players and how they play the game, the toughness they play with, I have a lot of respect for those guys."
Series history
Middle Tennessee and Marshall have been Conference USA foes since the Blue Raiders entered the league in 2013, but their series predates that. The two also met in the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs twice, first in the 1992 quarterfinals and again two years later in the first round, both Herd victories.
Since MT joined C-USA in 2013, the two have split six meetings 3-3. The Blue Raiders won their first game over Marshall in 2013, a thrilling 51-49 contest in Murfreesboro.
In its three wins in the series, Middle Tennessee has margins of victory of two, three (triple overtime in 2015) and 10 (last season). Two of those wins have come at home, where MT holds a 2-1 record against the Thundering Herd, while last year's victory was in Huntington.
Last meeting
After falling in their first four tries at beating Marshall on the road, the Blue Raiders finally got over the hump last season, going to Huntington and leaving with a 34-24 victory.
The win was spurred by a big second half, when MT outscored the Herd 24-7 to turn a 17-10 halftime deficit into a 10-point win. Its defense led the way in the second half, limiting the home team to just 149 total yards after the break.
Middle Tennessee's defense was led by a big game from safety Jovante Moffatt. The now redshirt senior, who played in four games last year, racked up a career-high 17 tackles to go with a forced fumble. Fellow redshirt senior Khalil Brooks also had a standout performance, totaling 11 tackles to go with two of MT's five sacks.
Offensively, quarterback Brent Stockstill had a normal Stockstill-like performance, throwing for 317 yards and a touchdown and adding 31 yards rushing and another score.
Run, run, run
Missing from last year's matchup was Marshall starting quarterback Isaiah Green. The redshirt sophomore was injured for three games, and his absence caused the Herd offense to derail in the second half of the contest.
Back in the fold this season, Green has made his presence known with his arm and legs. He's one of the most athletic quarterbacks in C-USA and loves to utilize his running ability, ranking third on the team with 24 rushing attempts this year.
Stopping Green and a stable of running backs, led by fellow redshirt sophomore Brendan Knox (296 rushing yards, four TDs this season), will be key No. 1 for Stockstill and his defense. The Blue Raiders have given up 254.3 yards per game on the ground so far, but that may be a little misleading because of the competition they've faced.
"It starts with we've got to stop the run," Stockstill said. "They're averaging over 200 yards rushing a game … to me, that's where it starts — we've got to stop the run, limit the big play."
On the flip side, Stockstill wants to see his offense establish the run early, something they've failed to do consistently this season with players not named Asher O'Hara. The quarterback leads the team with 235 rushing yards.
Marshall has been susceptible to big runs the past two games, allowing 453 rushing yards combined against Cincinnati and Ohio. New defensive coordinator Brad Lambert — the former Charlotte head coach — has plenty of experience against MT, but, like most teams in the league, he's struggled in the past to slow down the Blue Raiders on the ground.
Since entering C-USA, Middle Tennessee has averaged 193.5 yards per game on the ground in conference games.
"It's really just about focusing on us," redshirt junior offensive lineman Will Gilchrist said about getting the run game going. "It's on us for shooting ourselves in the foot and getting a bunch of penalties here and there and getting behind the sticks. We need to come back to us and keep working and grinding every day."
Turnover time
One calling card for Middle Tennessee's defense in three years under defensive coordinator Scott Shafer has been forcing turnovers. However, the Blue Raiders haven't forced one since Week 2 against Tennessee State.
That will have to change Saturday in order to get MT's defense off the field quickly. The Raiders' stoppers are currently on the field for an average of almost 35 minutes per game.
"They can throw the ball well, they can run, they use a lot of sniffers, stuff like that with the tight ends," Moffatt said. "We know it's conference play, and in our conference, you're going to get a lot of throwing the ball and spreads and stuff like that. Going into this next game and going into this next week, teams are going to do things as we've talked about going into conference play."
On a positive note, while Middle Tennessee hasn't forced a turnover the last two games, it also hasn't committed any. Its turnover margin is currently zero (four gained, four lost).
Marshall has also given the ball away four times this season while grabbing five.
Title defense starts here
The defending C-USA East Division champions should feel good about starting their title defense at home. The Blue Raiders, who are 33-15 all-time against the league (not counting last season's championships game), are 23-5-1 all-time in conference home openers. They're also 5-1 in C-USA openers since joining the league.
Marshall was picked first in the East in the preseason by the conference's media members. Getting a leg up in the standings with a win over the favorite would be quite a way to start MT's title defense.
"Yeah, this is where it really matters," Moffatt said. "Everything that we want to accomplish is still in front of us. We all know that this is a big week and a big game. We're going to be ready."
Players Mentioned
QB
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