Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Looking ahead to MT and FAU
11/27/2020 3:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Full bellies will have to be overcome Saturday when Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic take the Floyd Stadium turf.
The Thanksgiving weekend showdown against the reigning Conference USA champion Owls (5-1, 4-1) is much-anticipated for the Blue Raiders (3-6, 2-4), who will play their first home game in 42 days.
"They're a very good football team and very athletic," MT head coach Rick 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."
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: ESPN3
Radio: The Game 102.5/97.5 FM, WGNS 100.5 FM/1450 AM/101.9 FM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app; go to CUSA.TV/RaiderVision for the audio stream
Coaches tale of the tape
Rick Stockstill
Record, in conference (C-USA, Sun Belt): 94-92 (15th year), 70-45
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, third all-time at MT in wins
Willie Taggart
Record, at FAU: 61-63 (11 years), 5-1 (first year)
Bowl appearances as head coach, record: 1, 0-1 (his teams made three more bowl games)
Accolades: Led WKU to its first bowl game as head coach in 2012, though he didn't coach in it because he left for South Florida; coached in only bowl game in 2015 Miami Beach Bowl, losing to WKU; led teams to bowl games in 2016 and 2017, but didn't coach in either
Series history
The two teams know each other very well, having played against each other every year since 2003, FAU's third season having a football program.
Though it could be called a bit of a rivalry, since the teams have been in the same conference since 2005, it's been rather one-sided. The Owls secured their very first FBS win over MT in the first meeting in 2003, then won again in 2004, but since, it's been all Blue Raiders. They own a 12-5 overall record over FAU, including a seven-game home winning streak.
Florida Atlantic does have two wins in the past three games of the series, both in Boca Raton, Florida.
Last meeting
FAU captured its second conference win of the season over MT on Oct. 12, 2019, capping a four-game winning streak for the eventual C-USA champions.
Then coached by Lane Kiffin, the Owls outscored the Blue Raiders 16-0 in the second half to take a 28-13 win.
Middle Tennessee led 13-9 in the second quarter before a FAU field goal made the halftime score 13-12. The Raiders offense then got cold, only racking up 91 yards in the third quarter before a pair of interceptions sealed their fate.
It wasn't like MT couldn't move the football — quarterback Asher O'Hara threw for 335 yards and the rushing attack averaged 4.3 yards per carry, giving the Raiders a 459-368 advantage in total offense. The problem was three interceptions that proved costly, plus the Owls' potent rushing attack led by Malcolm Davidson's 149 yards.
Home cooking
It's been quite some time since Middle Tennessee last played a game at Floyd Stadium. In fact, it's been 42 days, the longest stretch in single-season program history.
The Blue Raiders were supposed to play Charlotte at home Nov. 7, but the game was postponed due to COVID-19 issues for the 49ers.
"It'll be good to get off that bus," Stockstill 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, and I have a lot of confidence that we will. … It's just good to be at home."
Efficient offense vs. stingy defense
Middle Tennessee got some good redemption last week against Troy, turning around a 47-14 Week 2 loss to the Trojans into a 20-17 road win.
It was an efficient, mistake-free showing for MT. On offense, redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara had 210 passing yards and a team-high 86 rushing yards, while the team had 186 total rushing yards.
The Blue Raiders will have to be solid again on offense Saturday. FAU has one of the best defensive units in C-USA, if not the nation, ranking in the top two in the league in scoring (11.2, second nationally), total defense (293, eighth nationally) and sacks per game (3.7, eighth nationally), among other categories. Its only given up two touchdowns in the last four games overall.
Where the Owls have been particularly tough has been in the red zone, where they rank second in the country only allowing scores 54.5% of the time. They've only given up one red zone touchdown this season.
"There's no person that's a weak link on that defense," O'Hara said. "Their secondary is very, very special … so they can load the box and just keep a few guys back for man.
"We're going to have to play a great game in order to win it."
Forcing turnovers
It hasn't always been pretty for Middle Tennessee's defense, but Stockstill has been very satisfied with how the group has played the last few weeks.
In particular, the coaching staff has marveled at the Blue Raiders' ability to force turnovers. They picked off two passes against Troy last week, giving them 10 turnovers forced in the last five games, including six interceptions.
FAU has done a good job this year of keeping ahold of the ball, only giving up four turnovers in six games. The Blue Raiders would do well to keep that turnover streak going.
"We're taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented," senior linebacker DQ Thomas said. "Last year, I feel like we had a lot of missed opportunities … so we're just trying to take advantage of those when they come to us."
One of those interceptions against Troy came at the hands of junior safety Greg Grate. His four interceptions this season lead C-USA and are good for third nationally.
Raiders' last game?
Saturday's contest is technically the last one currently on the Blue Raiders' schedule, though they have the Charlotte postponement that could still be rescheduled.
While there are some uncertainties flying around regarding when they'll actually finish the season, Stockstill and his players are focusing on one thing: beating FAU.
"We know and understand that every game could be taken out from under your feet … so we're not worried about talking about this being the last one," he said. "It's got nothing to do with how you play and prepare for FAU. That's our focus."
The Thanksgiving weekend showdown against the reigning Conference USA champion Owls (5-1, 4-1) is much-anticipated for the Blue Raiders (3-6, 2-4), who will play their first home game in 42 days.
"They're a very good football team and very athletic," MT head coach Rick 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."
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Where can you watch or listen?
TV: ESPN3
Radio: The Game 102.5/97.5 FM, WGNS 100.5 FM/1450 AM/101.9 FM
Search 'Middle Tennessee' on the TuneIn app; go to CUSA.TV/RaiderVision for the audio stream
Coaches tale of the tape
Rick Stockstill
Record, in conference (C-USA, Sun Belt): 94-92 (15th year), 70-45
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, third all-time at MT in wins
Willie Taggart
Record, at FAU: 61-63 (11 years), 5-1 (first year)
Bowl appearances as head coach, record: 1, 0-1 (his teams made three more bowl games)
Accolades: Led WKU to its first bowl game as head coach in 2012, though he didn't coach in it because he left for South Florida; coached in only bowl game in 2015 Miami Beach Bowl, losing to WKU; led teams to bowl games in 2016 and 2017, but didn't coach in either
Series history
The two teams know each other very well, having played against each other every year since 2003, FAU's third season having a football program.
Though it could be called a bit of a rivalry, since the teams have been in the same conference since 2005, it's been rather one-sided. The Owls secured their very first FBS win over MT in the first meeting in 2003, then won again in 2004, but since, it's been all Blue Raiders. They own a 12-5 overall record over FAU, including a seven-game home winning streak.
Florida Atlantic does have two wins in the past three games of the series, both in Boca Raton, Florida.
Last meeting
FAU captured its second conference win of the season over MT on Oct. 12, 2019, capping a four-game winning streak for the eventual C-USA champions.
Then coached by Lane Kiffin, the Owls outscored the Blue Raiders 16-0 in the second half to take a 28-13 win.
Middle Tennessee led 13-9 in the second quarter before a FAU field goal made the halftime score 13-12. The Raiders offense then got cold, only racking up 91 yards in the third quarter before a pair of interceptions sealed their fate.
It wasn't like MT couldn't move the football — quarterback Asher O'Hara threw for 335 yards and the rushing attack averaged 4.3 yards per carry, giving the Raiders a 459-368 advantage in total offense. The problem was three interceptions that proved costly, plus the Owls' potent rushing attack led by Malcolm Davidson's 149 yards.
Home cooking
It's been quite some time since Middle Tennessee last played a game at Floyd Stadium. In fact, it's been 42 days, the longest stretch in single-season program history.
The Blue Raiders were supposed to play Charlotte at home Nov. 7, but the game was postponed due to COVID-19 issues for the 49ers.
"It'll be good to get off that bus," Stockstill 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, and I have a lot of confidence that we will. … It's just good to be at home."
Efficient offense vs. stingy defense
Middle Tennessee got some good redemption last week against Troy, turning around a 47-14 Week 2 loss to the Trojans into a 20-17 road win.
It was an efficient, mistake-free showing for MT. On offense, redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara had 210 passing yards and a team-high 86 rushing yards, while the team had 186 total rushing yards.
The Blue Raiders will have to be solid again on offense Saturday. FAU has one of the best defensive units in C-USA, if not the nation, ranking in the top two in the league in scoring (11.2, second nationally), total defense (293, eighth nationally) and sacks per game (3.7, eighth nationally), among other categories. Its only given up two touchdowns in the last four games overall.
Where the Owls have been particularly tough has been in the red zone, where they rank second in the country only allowing scores 54.5% of the time. They've only given up one red zone touchdown this season.
"There's no person that's a weak link on that defense," O'Hara said. "Their secondary is very, very special … so they can load the box and just keep a few guys back for man.
"We're going to have to play a great game in order to win it."
Forcing turnovers
It hasn't always been pretty for Middle Tennessee's defense, but Stockstill has been very satisfied with how the group has played the last few weeks.
In particular, the coaching staff has marveled at the Blue Raiders' ability to force turnovers. They picked off two passes against Troy last week, giving them 10 turnovers forced in the last five games, including six interceptions.
FAU has done a good job this year of keeping ahold of the ball, only giving up four turnovers in six games. The Blue Raiders would do well to keep that turnover streak going.
"We're taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented," senior linebacker DQ Thomas said. "Last year, I feel like we had a lot of missed opportunities … so we're just trying to take advantage of those when they come to us."
One of those interceptions against Troy came at the hands of junior safety Greg Grate. His four interceptions this season lead C-USA and are good for third nationally.
Raiders' last game?
Saturday's contest is technically the last one currently on the Blue Raiders' schedule, though they have the Charlotte postponement that could still be rescheduled.
While there are some uncertainties flying around regarding when they'll actually finish the season, Stockstill and his players are focusing on one thing: beating FAU.
"We know and understand that every game could be taken out from under your feet … so we're not worried about talking about this being the last one," he said. "It's got nothing to do with how you play and prepare for FAU. That's our focus."
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