Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT ready to return to field against No. 16 Marshall
11/9/2020 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It wasn't expected, but Middle Tennessee got an extra week of rest ahead of a tough road matchup with maybe the best team in Conference USA.
The Blue Raiders (2-5, 2-3) prepared for a week and a half to host Charlotte, only to have the game canceled Friday because of positive COVID-19 tests for the 49ers. That gave MT two weeks off heading into its road game at No. 16 Marshall (6-0, 3-0) this week.
"This will be our first game in three weeks, so it's a little different and unique from that standpoint," Blue Raiders head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Marshall has an excellent football team. … It's a great opportunity for us to go up there and play a really good football team."
Having two weeks to prepare for the Thundering Herd would've been a blessing for Middle Tennessee. However, the Blue Raiders really didn't get any extra time to switch from Charlotte to Marshall, considering the game wasn't canceled until Friday.
Still, having two weeks to rest and heal wasn't something Stockstill took for granted.
"We've had a good couple of weeks," he said. "It's not an advantage, because we didn't spend any extra time working on Marshall … but it is what it is. You can't control it."
The Thundering Herd present one of the biggest challenges Middle Tennessee will face this season, particularly because of their defense.
They've statistically been the best defensive unit in C-USA this season, pacing the conference and ranking third nationally in both points per game (9.4) and rushing yards allowed per game (72). They're also fifth in the country and first in the league in total defense, allowing only 265 yards per game to opponents.
"They have the best defense statistically right now in the conference," Stockstill said. "They have a lot of guys returning from last year. They're athletic, they're fast, they run well and they pressure the quarterback. It's a really good defense."
The Blue Raiders have improved offensively seemingly every week this season. That will have to continue Saturday if they want to move the ball effectively against Marshall.
Redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara had maybe his best game passing the last time out against Rice, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns while not turning the ball over.
"We have to be really good offensively staying on the field," Stockstill said. "If we can be better on first down, that will help that."
It's always hard for opposing teams to get wins at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Marshall has the fourth-best home winning percentage in the country for teams at their current home fields, winning 82.8% (168-35) of the time.
The last time Middle Tennessee went to Huntington, though, it came home with a 34-24 victory on its way to the 2018 C-USA East Division title. The Raiders are hoping for a similar outcome Saturday.
"They play well at home," Stockstill said. "Going on the road, we have to be mentally and physically tough going up there and focus on what we can control."
The Blue Raiders (2-5, 2-3) prepared for a week and a half to host Charlotte, only to have the game canceled Friday because of positive COVID-19 tests for the 49ers. That gave MT two weeks off heading into its road game at No. 16 Marshall (6-0, 3-0) this week.
"This will be our first game in three weeks, so it's a little different and unique from that standpoint," Blue Raiders head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Marshall has an excellent football team. … It's a great opportunity for us to go up there and play a really good football team."
Having two weeks to prepare for the Thundering Herd would've been a blessing for Middle Tennessee. However, the Blue Raiders really didn't get any extra time to switch from Charlotte to Marshall, considering the game wasn't canceled until Friday.
Still, having two weeks to rest and heal wasn't something Stockstill took for granted.
"We've had a good couple of weeks," he said. "It's not an advantage, because we didn't spend any extra time working on Marshall … but it is what it is. You can't control it."
The Thundering Herd present one of the biggest challenges Middle Tennessee will face this season, particularly because of their defense.
They've statistically been the best defensive unit in C-USA this season, pacing the conference and ranking third nationally in both points per game (9.4) and rushing yards allowed per game (72). They're also fifth in the country and first in the league in total defense, allowing only 265 yards per game to opponents.
"They have the best defense statistically right now in the conference," Stockstill said. "They have a lot of guys returning from last year. They're athletic, they're fast, they run well and they pressure the quarterback. It's a really good defense."
The Blue Raiders have improved offensively seemingly every week this season. That will have to continue Saturday if they want to move the ball effectively against Marshall.
Redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara had maybe his best game passing the last time out against Rice, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns while not turning the ball over.
"We have to be really good offensively staying on the field," Stockstill said. "If we can be better on first down, that will help that."
It's always hard for opposing teams to get wins at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Marshall has the fourth-best home winning percentage in the country for teams at their current home fields, winning 82.8% (168-35) of the time.
The last time Middle Tennessee went to Huntington, though, it came home with a 34-24 victory on its way to the 2018 C-USA East Division title. The Raiders are hoping for a similar outcome Saturday.
"They play well at home," Stockstill said. "Going on the road, we have to be mentally and physically tough going up there and focus on what we can control."
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