Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MT anticipates another tough game vs. North Texas
10/12/2020 6:00:00 PM | Football
Teams play Saturday at Floyd Stadium
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Coming off a thrilling last-minute victory over FIU, Middle Tennessee might have a little extra motivation heading into their home contest Saturday.
North Texas (1-3, 0-2) will make the long trip to Floyd Stadium, and the Blue Raiders (1-4, 1-2) will hope to redeem themselves after losing on a last-second field goal to the Mean Green last season.
"We're excited for another opportunity," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "This is going to be a four-quarter game, and if you think anything different than that, you're crazy."
Stockstill noticed a little more pep in his team's step during Sunday's practice following the big win over FIU on Saturday. His defense will need to keep that extra bounce all week.
While North Texas has a new quarterback this season after possibly the program's all-time best signal caller, Mason Fine, graduated last year, the Mean Green still have one of the best offenses in not just Conference USA, but the country.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Aune has stepped into the starting role, and he's performed well through four games. He's helped by what might be the best receiving corps in the conference, led by senior Jaelon Darden, who's averaging 121 yards per game. His 485 receiving yards and nine touchdowns are both tops in the country.
"They've got a very, very explosive offense," Stockstill said. "They have great receivers … and I have a lot of respect for their quarterback from the few games I've evaluated him."
If the Blue Raiders aren't able to contain North Texas' offense, they'll need another good performance out of their own QB, redshirt junior Asher O'Hara.
The dual-threat signal caller has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country statistically the last few weeks. He currently ranks 18th in the country in passing yards (1,012), and his 328 rushing yards lead the team and are second in the nation amongst QBs.
O'Hara shook off two early interceptions against FIU and was the catalyst of MT's comeback. He threw a last-minute touchdown to snatch the win to senior Jarrin Pierce, who's having an all-conference-type season of his own, ranking second in C-USA and 11th nationally with 7.2 receptions per game. His 366 receiving yards are tied for 10th in the country.
"[O'Hara] didn't let those two mistakes consume him and take away from the rest of the game," Stockstill said. "Stats and all of that stuff doesn't matter. In the quarterback position, your job is to win … and he did that last week."
If there's a secret weapon in the game, it might just be Middle Tennessee punter Kyle Ulbrich.
The redshirt junior is coming off a career outing against FIU, when he sent multiple punts more than 50 yards, including a 66-yarder that was downed at the 8-yard line and a 75-yarder that went for a touchback. In the fourth quarter, Ulbrich did his part to give the team a chance at a comeback, downing two of his three punts inside the 10 to go with the 75-yard touchback.
"He was really, really special Saturday, especially in the second half and especially in the fourth quarter," Stockstill said. "When you talk about everybody in that game, you have to talk about Kyle … because he had a big hand, or a big foot, in the outcome of that game."
The series between the Blue Raiders and Mean Green has been closely contested historically. Stockstill is expecting the same Saturday, and with last year's heartbreaker, there's plenty to motivate MT this week.
North Texas (1-3, 0-2) will make the long trip to Floyd Stadium, and the Blue Raiders (1-4, 1-2) will hope to redeem themselves after losing on a last-second field goal to the Mean Green last season.
"We're excited for another opportunity," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "This is going to be a four-quarter game, and if you think anything different than that, you're crazy."
Stockstill noticed a little more pep in his team's step during Sunday's practice following the big win over FIU on Saturday. His defense will need to keep that extra bounce all week.
While North Texas has a new quarterback this season after possibly the program's all-time best signal caller, Mason Fine, graduated last year, the Mean Green still have one of the best offenses in not just Conference USA, but the country.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Aune has stepped into the starting role, and he's performed well through four games. He's helped by what might be the best receiving corps in the conference, led by senior Jaelon Darden, who's averaging 121 yards per game. His 485 receiving yards and nine touchdowns are both tops in the country.
"They've got a very, very explosive offense," Stockstill said. "They have great receivers … and I have a lot of respect for their quarterback from the few games I've evaluated him."
If the Blue Raiders aren't able to contain North Texas' offense, they'll need another good performance out of their own QB, redshirt junior Asher O'Hara.
The dual-threat signal caller has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country statistically the last few weeks. He currently ranks 18th in the country in passing yards (1,012), and his 328 rushing yards lead the team and are second in the nation amongst QBs.
O'Hara shook off two early interceptions against FIU and was the catalyst of MT's comeback. He threw a last-minute touchdown to snatch the win to senior Jarrin Pierce, who's having an all-conference-type season of his own, ranking second in C-USA and 11th nationally with 7.2 receptions per game. His 366 receiving yards are tied for 10th in the country.
"[O'Hara] didn't let those two mistakes consume him and take away from the rest of the game," Stockstill said. "Stats and all of that stuff doesn't matter. In the quarterback position, your job is to win … and he did that last week."
If there's a secret weapon in the game, it might just be Middle Tennessee punter Kyle Ulbrich.
The redshirt junior is coming off a career outing against FIU, when he sent multiple punts more than 50 yards, including a 66-yarder that was downed at the 8-yard line and a 75-yarder that went for a touchback. In the fourth quarter, Ulbrich did his part to give the team a chance at a comeback, downing two of his three punts inside the 10 to go with the 75-yard touchback.
"He was really, really special Saturday, especially in the second half and especially in the fourth quarter," Stockstill said. "When you talk about everybody in that game, you have to talk about Kyle … because he had a big hand, or a big foot, in the outcome of that game."
The series between the Blue Raiders and Mean Green has been closely contested historically. Stockstill is expecting the same Saturday, and with last year's heartbreaker, there's plenty to motivate MT this week.
Players Mentioned
MTSU Football @ Kennesaw State post-game conference - 9/27/25
Saturday, September 27
Raider Report Week 5 - MTSU vs. Kennesaw State University
Friday, September 26
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 5 (Video)
Monday, September 22
MTSU Football Weekly Press Conference 9/22/25
Monday, September 22
