Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MT finally tasting some home cooking this week
11/23/2020 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It's been a while since Middle Tennessee has been able to take the Floyd Stadium turf for a football game. That'll make this Thanksgiving weekend's matchup with Florida Atlantic all the more relieving.
The Blue Raiders haven't played at home since Oct. 17, a 52-35 loss to North Texas. Since, they've had two off weeks and traveled to Rice, Marshall and Troy, three long, draining road trips.
They haven't fared particularly well at home this season, currently winless in three games at Floyd Stadium, and head coach Rick Stockstill is hoping to change that Saturday.
"It'll be good to get off that bus," he said. "We haven't played our best ball at home this year, and it's time we do it. We need to play well this weekend at home, and I have a lot of confidence that we will."
Finally being able to sleep in their own beds will hopefully do the Raiders (3-6, 2-4) some good as they prepare for the defending Conference USA champion Owls. FAU, which has a new head coach this year in Willie Taggert, is currently 5-1 overall on the season and 4-1 in C-USA play, its only loss coming on the road at Marshall.
"They're a very good football team and very athletic," Stockstill said. "They're doing a really good job of not giving up many points … and it will be a great challenge for us, but we're looking forward to it."
The Owls are particularly tough on defense, where they rank second in C-USA in scoring (11.2 points per game), total defense (293.8 yards per game) and rushing defense (105.3 yards per game). They're also first in sacks per game (3.67).
Middle Tennessee's offense had one of its best performances of the season last Saturday against Troy, racking up 186 rushing and 210 passing yards while controlling time of possession. Redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara threw for 210 yards and rushed for 86 more, while running backs Chaton Mobley and Frank Peasant combined for 82 rushing yards and scored a touchdown apiece.
"We had more designed quarterback runs with Asher this past week, and he did a really good job with that," Stockstill said. "I think the other thing was we got 80 yards out of our tailbacks, and it was more downhill runs … and that's what they are. They're power, run through you, type of guys."
Similar to its offensive counterpart, MT's defense has also done well in the run game the past few weeks, and that's helped create some turnovers. It'll have to be good again against FAU's talented run game, which averages 197.5 yards per game to rank fourth in C-USA.
The Blue Raiders held Troy last week to 92 rushing yards, a much better showing than their Week 2 contest with Troy when they gave up 240 yards and three rushing scores. The better run defense forced the Trojans into predictable passing plays, and MT was able to snag two interceptions, giving them nine turnovers in the last four games.
"A lot of it is you have to force the other team into making mistakes, but when you do get the opportunity to recover a fumble or make an interception, you have to make that play," Stockstill said. "Our defensive guys constantly work on it every day when we go against each other in team situations. … We spend a great deal working on it, and I talk about the value of winning the turnover margin daily. It's the most important stat out there."
Another sound performance will be needed Saturday for Middle Tennessee to take down the streaking Owls. The Blue Raiders will at least get to be at home for Thanksgiving while they prepare for a tough matchup.
The Blue Raiders haven't played at home since Oct. 17, a 52-35 loss to North Texas. Since, they've had two off weeks and traveled to Rice, Marshall and Troy, three long, draining road trips.
They haven't fared particularly well at home this season, currently winless in three games at Floyd Stadium, and head coach Rick Stockstill is hoping to change that Saturday.
"It'll be good to get off that bus," he said. "We haven't played our best ball at home this year, and it's time we do it. We need to play well this weekend at home, and I have a lot of confidence that we will."
Finally being able to sleep in their own beds will hopefully do the Raiders (3-6, 2-4) some good as they prepare for the defending Conference USA champion Owls. FAU, which has a new head coach this year in Willie Taggert, is currently 5-1 overall on the season and 4-1 in C-USA play, its only loss coming on the road at Marshall.
"They're a very good football team and very athletic," Stockstill said. "They're doing a really good job of not giving up many points … and it will be a great challenge for us, but we're looking forward to it."
The Owls are particularly tough on defense, where they rank second in C-USA in scoring (11.2 points per game), total defense (293.8 yards per game) and rushing defense (105.3 yards per game). They're also first in sacks per game (3.67).
Middle Tennessee's offense had one of its best performances of the season last Saturday against Troy, racking up 186 rushing and 210 passing yards while controlling time of possession. Redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara threw for 210 yards and rushed for 86 more, while running backs Chaton Mobley and Frank Peasant combined for 82 rushing yards and scored a touchdown apiece.
"We had more designed quarterback runs with Asher this past week, and he did a really good job with that," Stockstill said. "I think the other thing was we got 80 yards out of our tailbacks, and it was more downhill runs … and that's what they are. They're power, run through you, type of guys."
Similar to its offensive counterpart, MT's defense has also done well in the run game the past few weeks, and that's helped create some turnovers. It'll have to be good again against FAU's talented run game, which averages 197.5 yards per game to rank fourth in C-USA.
The Blue Raiders held Troy last week to 92 rushing yards, a much better showing than their Week 2 contest with Troy when they gave up 240 yards and three rushing scores. The better run defense forced the Trojans into predictable passing plays, and MT was able to snag two interceptions, giving them nine turnovers in the last four games.
"A lot of it is you have to force the other team into making mistakes, but when you do get the opportunity to recover a fumble or make an interception, you have to make that play," Stockstill said. "Our defensive guys constantly work on it every day when we go against each other in team situations. … We spend a great deal working on it, and I talk about the value of winning the turnover margin daily. It's the most important stat out there."
Another sound performance will be needed Saturday for Middle Tennessee to take down the streaking Owls. The Blue Raiders will at least get to be at home for Thanksgiving while they prepare for a tough matchup.
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