Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Looking ahead to MT and Iowa
9/27/2019 3:00:00 PM | Football
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Another first-time opponent awaits Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
The Blue Raiders (1-2) will travel to Iowa City, Iowa for the first time to take on the No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0) in front of a national audience on ESPN2. It will be the third time this season MT has taken on an opponent for the first time, following games at Michigan and against Duke.
Iowa has College Football Playoff aspirations, but head coach Rick Stockstill and his Raiders are hoping to spoil them.
"Obviously, Iowa is a very talented team," he said. "They're very well-coached.
"We've got a great challenge ahead of us, and a great opportunity ahead of us, one that we're looking forward to. When you play on the road — when you play in away games — you've got to bring your toughness. We've got to be a level ahead of their toughness because they're a tough, physical football team."
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: ESPN2
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): 88-80 (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
Kirk Ferentz
Record, at Iowa: 167-122 (24th year), 155-101 (21st year)
Bowl appearances as head coach (last), record: 16 (2018 Outback Bowl), 8-8
Accolades: Longest-tenured coach in NCAA Division I football; four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2002, 2004, 2009, 2015); two-time Big Ten champion (2002, 2004), Big Ten West Division winner in 2015; fifth all-time in Big Ten with 155 wins, a program record
Stockstill on Ferentz: "I don't know him personally, but I have a ton of respect for him and how he runs his program. Every year, his team is right there in the mix of things. To be able to stay there as long as he has is a testament to his character and the integrity of the team, how they play, how hard they play. I have a lot of respect for him, and I'm looking forward to meeting him and talking to him before the game because I do respect coaches like him."
MT vs. the Big Ten
Middle Tennessee is hoping its second venture this season into the Big Ten Conference goes better than the first, when the Blue Raiders traveled to Michigan in the season opener and lost 40-21.
The blue and white are 2-11 against current members of the Big Ten, five of those games coming against Nebraska and Maryland before they joined the league in 2011 and 2014, respectively.
Here are MT's records against current Big Ten members:
Illinois: 0-3
Maryland: 2-2
Minnesota: 0-3
Nebraska: 0-1
Purdue: 0-1
Michigan: 0-1
Getting a tune up
Both teams had a bye last week after some tough matchups to start the season. Middle Tennessee used the off week to fine tune some things and get some rest.
Offensively, the Blue Raiders didn't look themselves at times against Duke in Week 3. They struggled to run the ball effectively and fell behind the chains on third down, converting only five of their 12 attempts.
Finding a way to run the ball more consistently was a focus on that side during the bye.
"We just focused on us," redshirt junior offensive lineman Will Gilchrist said. "We knew what we had to do, we just had to come back to our techniques and come back to what we knew and just do what we know all the time, and just focus on us."
The Raiders' defense maybe should've gotten comfortable on the couch last week.
The stop squad has been on the field a lot this season, 39 more plays than their offense. Middle Tennessee's average of 25 minutes of possession per game is also one of the lowest in the nation.
Forcing some turnovers so they can get off the field quickly will be a key for the MT defense this week. It could benefit from getting pressure on the quarterback — the Raiders only have two sacks — but Iowa won't make it easy.
Classic Hawkeyes
Led by experienced senior quarterback Nate Stanley, the Hawkeye offense is what most come to expect year after year: big, physical and smart. They've only turned the ball over once in three games and are towards the top of the country in a lot of team stats, including time of possession, red zone conversions and tackles for loss allowed.
Stanley has started the last 29 games for Iowa at QB, and he's protected by a talented offensive line led by NFL Draft prospect Tristan Wirfs at left tackle. As usual for Iowa, Stanley has talented tight ends to throw to alongside leading receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and running back Mekhi Sargent is a threat in the running and passing game.
"Coach [Stockstill] said we'll be aggressive, so we'll try and blitz to get some pressure from the outside," redshirt senior safety Jovante Moffatt said. "They have a lot of bigger guys on their offensive line, so we've got to get those guys moving laterally. Whatever Coach [Shafer] comes up with will be a good plan, and we'll be ready to attack it."
Iowa isn't just talented on offense. Its defense will be one of the best Middle Tennessee sees this season, if not the best.
Led by Preseason AP All-American defensive end A.J. Epenesa, the Hawkeyes have been a force through three games, giving up only 262 yards per game (186 passing) and coming up with six turnovers. Cornerback Michael Ojemudia is tied for the Big Ten lead with two interceptions already this season.
Back-to-back legendary coaching battles
Saturday's matchup will feature the longest and sixth-longest tenured head coaches in Division I football in Ferentz (21 years) and Stockstill (14 years).
That makes two straight games for MT where Stockstill takes on another long-tenured coach. David Cutcliffe has been at Duke since 2008, tying him for the 12th longest.
Stockstill said he hopes people see his program in the same light as his two counterparts.
"I hope when people play us or watch us play that they say some of the same things, that our team plays hard, they play with great effort, they're smart, they do things the right way on and off the field," he said. "I would like to think that we do, and I'm really proud of what we've accomplished in my time being here. It's a credit to our players and our coaching staff, and I would hope people say similar things."
Time for conference play
After Iowa, Middle Tennessee will enter Conference USA play with a home contest against Marshall, followed by road games at Florida Atlantic and North Texas before returning home for homecoming versus FIU.
The Blue Raiders (1-2) will travel to Iowa City, Iowa for the first time to take on the No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0) in front of a national audience on ESPN2. It will be the third time this season MT has taken on an opponent for the first time, following games at Michigan and against Duke.
Iowa has College Football Playoff aspirations, but head coach Rick Stockstill and his Raiders are hoping to spoil them.
"Obviously, Iowa is a very talented team," he said. "They're very well-coached.
"We've got a great challenge ahead of us, and a great opportunity ahead of us, one that we're looking forward to. When you play on the road — when you play in away games — you've got to bring your toughness. We've got to be a level ahead of their toughness because they're a tough, physical football team."
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: ESPN2
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): 88-80 (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
Kirk Ferentz
Record, at Iowa: 167-122 (24th year), 155-101 (21st year)
Bowl appearances as head coach (last), record: 16 (2018 Outback Bowl), 8-8
Accolades: Longest-tenured coach in NCAA Division I football; four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2002, 2004, 2009, 2015); two-time Big Ten champion (2002, 2004), Big Ten West Division winner in 2015; fifth all-time in Big Ten with 155 wins, a program record
Stockstill on Ferentz: "I don't know him personally, but I have a ton of respect for him and how he runs his program. Every year, his team is right there in the mix of things. To be able to stay there as long as he has is a testament to his character and the integrity of the team, how they play, how hard they play. I have a lot of respect for him, and I'm looking forward to meeting him and talking to him before the game because I do respect coaches like him."
MT vs. the Big Ten
Middle Tennessee is hoping its second venture this season into the Big Ten Conference goes better than the first, when the Blue Raiders traveled to Michigan in the season opener and lost 40-21.
The blue and white are 2-11 against current members of the Big Ten, five of those games coming against Nebraska and Maryland before they joined the league in 2011 and 2014, respectively.
Here are MT's records against current Big Ten members:
Illinois: 0-3
Maryland: 2-2
Minnesota: 0-3
Nebraska: 0-1
Purdue: 0-1
Michigan: 0-1
Getting a tune up
Both teams had a bye last week after some tough matchups to start the season. Middle Tennessee used the off week to fine tune some things and get some rest.
Offensively, the Blue Raiders didn't look themselves at times against Duke in Week 3. They struggled to run the ball effectively and fell behind the chains on third down, converting only five of their 12 attempts.
Finding a way to run the ball more consistently was a focus on that side during the bye.
"We just focused on us," redshirt junior offensive lineman Will Gilchrist said. "We knew what we had to do, we just had to come back to our techniques and come back to what we knew and just do what we know all the time, and just focus on us."
The Raiders' defense maybe should've gotten comfortable on the couch last week.
The stop squad has been on the field a lot this season, 39 more plays than their offense. Middle Tennessee's average of 25 minutes of possession per game is also one of the lowest in the nation.
Forcing some turnovers so they can get off the field quickly will be a key for the MT defense this week. It could benefit from getting pressure on the quarterback — the Raiders only have two sacks — but Iowa won't make it easy.
Classic Hawkeyes
Led by experienced senior quarterback Nate Stanley, the Hawkeye offense is what most come to expect year after year: big, physical and smart. They've only turned the ball over once in three games and are towards the top of the country in a lot of team stats, including time of possession, red zone conversions and tackles for loss allowed.
Stanley has started the last 29 games for Iowa at QB, and he's protected by a talented offensive line led by NFL Draft prospect Tristan Wirfs at left tackle. As usual for Iowa, Stanley has talented tight ends to throw to alongside leading receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and running back Mekhi Sargent is a threat in the running and passing game.
"Coach [Stockstill] said we'll be aggressive, so we'll try and blitz to get some pressure from the outside," redshirt senior safety Jovante Moffatt said. "They have a lot of bigger guys on their offensive line, so we've got to get those guys moving laterally. Whatever Coach [Shafer] comes up with will be a good plan, and we'll be ready to attack it."
Iowa isn't just talented on offense. Its defense will be one of the best Middle Tennessee sees this season, if not the best.
Led by Preseason AP All-American defensive end A.J. Epenesa, the Hawkeyes have been a force through three games, giving up only 262 yards per game (186 passing) and coming up with six turnovers. Cornerback Michael Ojemudia is tied for the Big Ten lead with two interceptions already this season.
Back-to-back legendary coaching battles
Saturday's matchup will feature the longest and sixth-longest tenured head coaches in Division I football in Ferentz (21 years) and Stockstill (14 years).
That makes two straight games for MT where Stockstill takes on another long-tenured coach. David Cutcliffe has been at Duke since 2008, tying him for the 12th longest.
Stockstill said he hopes people see his program in the same light as his two counterparts.
"I hope when people play us or watch us play that they say some of the same things, that our team plays hard, they play with great effort, they're smart, they do things the right way on and off the field," he said. "I would like to think that we do, and I'm really proud of what we've accomplished in my time being here. It's a credit to our players and our coaching staff, and I would hope people say similar things."
Time for conference play
After Iowa, Middle Tennessee will enter Conference USA play with a home contest against Marshall, followed by road games at Florida Atlantic and North Texas before returning home for homecoming versus FIU.
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