Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MT turns attention to high-octane TSU
9/2/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee will renew an old rivalry on Saturday, and it better bring its defense.
Tennessee State will make the short trip from Nashville to Floyd Stadium for the first time since the two teams last played in the 1998 season, the Blue Raiders' last as a Division I-AA member.
"We're excited to get this week started," Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill said. "This is a really good football team coming in, really in all three phases of the game.
"We know the importance of this game. It has a little bit of a rivalry going back to the OVC days … and I know our fans and their fans will be excited about this game."
The series has always been close going back to the teams' days as rivals in the Ohio Valley Conference, MT leading all-time 10-9.
This year's edition features two offensive units coming off good showings in the first week of the season.
Tennessee State defeated Mississippi Valley State 26-20 in the 21st annual John Merritt Classic Saturday thanks to 447 total yards of offense, including 330 coming through the air from quarterback Cameron Rosendahl.
Rosendahl, a redshirt senior, is in his first year as the primary starter for the Tigers. He completed 25-of-42 passes on Saturday, 11 of those going to wideout Chris Rowland, who's one of the most dynamic offensive players Middle Tennessee will see this season. He was named the offensive MVP of the game, racking up 173 yards receiving and another 61 in punt returns, finishing with 235 all-purpose yards and scoring on a 53-yard reception.
"[Rowland] is a really good athlete," Stockstill said. "He's a very dynamic player … and he's definitely a guy we have to be concerned with, but at the same time, they have a lot of good players around him as well."
The Blue Raiders' offense looked good in its own right on Saturday against No. 7 Michigan, which finished 2018 with the nation's second-best total defense.
Facing one of the best defenses in college football, MT finished with 301 total yards and scored three touchdowns in a 40-21 loss. New starting quarterback Asher O'Hara accounted for 217 yards through the air, along with two scores, and added a team-high 32 rushing yards with another touchdown.
"I thought he did a nice job … and the moment wasn't too big for him," Stockstill said. "He did a lot of good things, and there were some things that you can't do. He has to get better … but, for the most part, I was really pleased.
"It'll be critical that we run the ball a little bit better than we did last week, but we're not going to force it if Tennessee State is going to overload the box and make you throw."
With two offenses that flashed plenty of promise in the first week of the season, it'll be up to the defenses to show up on Saturday.
Stockstill likes the one on his side, especially after stifling Michigan's offense at times in the opener, particularly in the second half, and forcing two turnovers.
"I know what kind of team we've got in that locker room," he said. "I like the identity of our team right now.
"We know what this game means to us and what it means to them. It's going to be a great ballgame."
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday at Floyd Stadium. It will be the debut of the Beer Garden, an improved and larger Family Fun Zone and there will be postgame fireworks.
Tennessee State will make the short trip from Nashville to Floyd Stadium for the first time since the two teams last played in the 1998 season, the Blue Raiders' last as a Division I-AA member.
"We're excited to get this week started," Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill said. "This is a really good football team coming in, really in all three phases of the game.
"We know the importance of this game. It has a little bit of a rivalry going back to the OVC days … and I know our fans and their fans will be excited about this game."
The series has always been close going back to the teams' days as rivals in the Ohio Valley Conference, MT leading all-time 10-9.
This year's edition features two offensive units coming off good showings in the first week of the season.
Tennessee State defeated Mississippi Valley State 26-20 in the 21st annual John Merritt Classic Saturday thanks to 447 total yards of offense, including 330 coming through the air from quarterback Cameron Rosendahl.
Rosendahl, a redshirt senior, is in his first year as the primary starter for the Tigers. He completed 25-of-42 passes on Saturday, 11 of those going to wideout Chris Rowland, who's one of the most dynamic offensive players Middle Tennessee will see this season. He was named the offensive MVP of the game, racking up 173 yards receiving and another 61 in punt returns, finishing with 235 all-purpose yards and scoring on a 53-yard reception.
"[Rowland] is a really good athlete," Stockstill said. "He's a very dynamic player … and he's definitely a guy we have to be concerned with, but at the same time, they have a lot of good players around him as well."
The Blue Raiders' offense looked good in its own right on Saturday against No. 7 Michigan, which finished 2018 with the nation's second-best total defense.
Facing one of the best defenses in college football, MT finished with 301 total yards and scored three touchdowns in a 40-21 loss. New starting quarterback Asher O'Hara accounted for 217 yards through the air, along with two scores, and added a team-high 32 rushing yards with another touchdown.
"I thought he did a nice job … and the moment wasn't too big for him," Stockstill said. "He did a lot of good things, and there were some things that you can't do. He has to get better … but, for the most part, I was really pleased.
"It'll be critical that we run the ball a little bit better than we did last week, but we're not going to force it if Tennessee State is going to overload the box and make you throw."
With two offenses that flashed plenty of promise in the first week of the season, it'll be up to the defenses to show up on Saturday.
Stockstill likes the one on his side, especially after stifling Michigan's offense at times in the opener, particularly in the second half, and forcing two turnovers.
"I know what kind of team we've got in that locker room," he said. "I like the identity of our team right now.
"We know what this game means to us and what it means to them. It's going to be a great ballgame."
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday at Floyd Stadium. It will be the debut of the Beer Garden, an improved and larger Family Fun Zone and there will be postgame fireworks.
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