Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders not taking bye lightly
9/18/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Though only four weeks into the season, Middle Tennessee's first bye week might just have come at the perfect time.
Following three weeks of tough competition, including one team currently ranked 11th in the AP Poll and another banging on the door of entering the top 25 of the Coaches Poll, the bye provides a chance to get better on the practice field and in the film room while also nursing some ailments.
"After a few tough games, it's good to just take a step back and reflect on everything we've done, things we need to improve on and things we can do to win ballgames," senior defensive tackle Malik Manciel said. "It's good to take that step back, let our hair down and breathe a little bit.
"I'm going to watch so much college football on Saturday, I might not go anywhere but my couch."
This year's first off week is a little unique, not because of its placement — MT's bye last year was also in Week 4 — but because in seven weeks the Blue Raiders will get another one.
Thanks to how the NCAA's schedule falls in the calendar, college football teams this season have 14 weeks to play 12 games, meaning each school gets two byes for the first time since 2014. Middle Tennessee's second will be the weekend of Nov. 9.
"It's been a long time since we've had two open dates," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "I'm sure that by the time the next one comes, we'll need it to heal up a little bit."
There's plenty for the Blue Raiders to focus on this week while not having a Saturday contest taking their attention.
Through three games, MT ranks towards the top of Conference USA in most offensive categories, including third in passing and fifth in scoring, but its defense is 12th in scoring and 13th in total defense.
Some of Middle Tennessee's defensive woes have come as a result of being on the field too much. The Blue Raiders only possess the ball for an average of 25:36 per game, ranking in the bottom 12 of the country, three minutes less on average than the next closest C-USA team.
Finding a way to hold onto the ball will be a key as their attention starts to turn to No. 18 Iowa, waiting for a Sept. 28 matchup in Iowa City.
"We're just trying to get everyone healthy and rally around each other this week," redshirt sophomore quarterback Asher O'Hara said. "We're going to Iowa to win, and this week will help us prepare. A bye always comes at a good time … we'll use it to our advantage."
The bye will also supply the players with an opportunity to relax on Saturday and be college football fans.
"I'll get to spend it at home, getting a taste of some of the old days watching [college football] with my dad," O'Hara said.
While there will be some time for the players to rest up, the coaches don't get much of that luxury during the bye.
After two days of practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, they'll head out on the recruiting trail Thursday and Friday.
"We're not resting; we'll work Tuesday and Wednesday then head out recruiting on Thursday and Friday," Stockstill said. "We're using these few days to get a head start on Iowa and improve in the areas that we have to improve on."
Following three weeks of tough competition, including one team currently ranked 11th in the AP Poll and another banging on the door of entering the top 25 of the Coaches Poll, the bye provides a chance to get better on the practice field and in the film room while also nursing some ailments.
"After a few tough games, it's good to just take a step back and reflect on everything we've done, things we need to improve on and things we can do to win ballgames," senior defensive tackle Malik Manciel said. "It's good to take that step back, let our hair down and breathe a little bit.
"I'm going to watch so much college football on Saturday, I might not go anywhere but my couch."
This year's first off week is a little unique, not because of its placement — MT's bye last year was also in Week 4 — but because in seven weeks the Blue Raiders will get another one.
Thanks to how the NCAA's schedule falls in the calendar, college football teams this season have 14 weeks to play 12 games, meaning each school gets two byes for the first time since 2014. Middle Tennessee's second will be the weekend of Nov. 9.
"It's been a long time since we've had two open dates," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "I'm sure that by the time the next one comes, we'll need it to heal up a little bit."
There's plenty for the Blue Raiders to focus on this week while not having a Saturday contest taking their attention.
Through three games, MT ranks towards the top of Conference USA in most offensive categories, including third in passing and fifth in scoring, but its defense is 12th in scoring and 13th in total defense.
Some of Middle Tennessee's defensive woes have come as a result of being on the field too much. The Blue Raiders only possess the ball for an average of 25:36 per game, ranking in the bottom 12 of the country, three minutes less on average than the next closest C-USA team.
Finding a way to hold onto the ball will be a key as their attention starts to turn to No. 18 Iowa, waiting for a Sept. 28 matchup in Iowa City.
"We're just trying to get everyone healthy and rally around each other this week," redshirt sophomore quarterback Asher O'Hara said. "We're going to Iowa to win, and this week will help us prepare. A bye always comes at a good time … we'll use it to our advantage."
The bye will also supply the players with an opportunity to relax on Saturday and be college football fans.
"I'll get to spend it at home, getting a taste of some of the old days watching [college football] with my dad," O'Hara said.
While there will be some time for the players to rest up, the coaches don't get much of that luxury during the bye.
After two days of practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, they'll head out on the recruiting trail Thursday and Friday.
"We're not resting; we'll work Tuesday and Wednesday then head out recruiting on Thursday and Friday," Stockstill said. "We're using these few days to get a head start on Iowa and improve in the areas that we have to improve on."
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
