Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Small change paying big dividends for Pierce, Raiders
9/30/2020 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A slight position change has paid dividends the past two games for Middle Tennessee's leading wide receiver.
After starting the season being utilized more on the outside, Jarrin Pierce has moved inside to the slot the last two weeks. The redshirt senior has responded with two career outings, helping to jumpstart a struggling Blue Raider offense.
"Playing inside was something I'm used to and I've always played," Pierce said. "I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I know a lot about playing on the outside now, and playing slot now feels like home again."
Against Troy on Sept. 19, Pierce set a career high with 11 catches for 81 yards, then followed that up with seven catches for 107 yards, also a career best, last week against UTSA.
It's clear he's more comfortable in his new role. He's provided a bit of a security blanket for redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara, who also set career highs against UTSA by completing 31-of-47 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns.
"He's an unreal player, and I have a ton of confidence throwing to him," O'Hara said. "What I like most is his communication to me. … We're really on the same page and have a good chemistry going."
Pierce's emergence has had a direct correlation to the entire offense's improvement.
In Week 1 against Army, the Blue Raiders struggled with just 184 total yards, when Pierce caught four passes for 33 yards. They upped to 241 total yards against Troy, then broke out for 563 at UTSA.
The improved passing attack, led by Pierce, also helped MT open up room for its rushing attack. It had 191 yards on 41 rushing attempts against the Roadrunners, by far season highs.
"He's a good player, and I'm sure Asher has a ton of confidence in him, like we all do," Blue Raiders head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Our backs ran better … and we have to continue to build on that."
With rival WKU making a trip to Floyd Stadium this week for homecoming, Pierce is hitting his stride at the perfect time.
He currently leads Conference USA and ranks 14th nationally with 7.3 receptions per game. He's also fifth in the league in receiving yards per game with 73.7, up from the 46.8 he averaged in 2019, his first season at Middle Tennessee after transferring from College of the Canyons.
The Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers are both looking for their first win of the 2020 campaign, making another good outing from Pierce vital for the blue and white. Getting into the end zone for the first time this year wouldn't hurt, either.
He expects to see quite a bit of man coverage and a little more emphasis from opposing defenses on slowing him down. Pierce is ready for it, though.
"We just have to do whatever it takes," he said. "I feel like we really have the ball rolling right now. … Now, it's just about utilizing our skills."
After starting the season being utilized more on the outside, Jarrin Pierce has moved inside to the slot the last two weeks. The redshirt senior has responded with two career outings, helping to jumpstart a struggling Blue Raider offense.
"Playing inside was something I'm used to and I've always played," Pierce said. "I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I know a lot about playing on the outside now, and playing slot now feels like home again."
Against Troy on Sept. 19, Pierce set a career high with 11 catches for 81 yards, then followed that up with seven catches for 107 yards, also a career best, last week against UTSA.
It's clear he's more comfortable in his new role. He's provided a bit of a security blanket for redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara, who also set career highs against UTSA by completing 31-of-47 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns.
"He's an unreal player, and I have a ton of confidence throwing to him," O'Hara said. "What I like most is his communication to me. … We're really on the same page and have a good chemistry going."
Pierce's emergence has had a direct correlation to the entire offense's improvement.
In Week 1 against Army, the Blue Raiders struggled with just 184 total yards, when Pierce caught four passes for 33 yards. They upped to 241 total yards against Troy, then broke out for 563 at UTSA.
The improved passing attack, led by Pierce, also helped MT open up room for its rushing attack. It had 191 yards on 41 rushing attempts against the Roadrunners, by far season highs.
"He's a good player, and I'm sure Asher has a ton of confidence in him, like we all do," Blue Raiders head coach Rick Stockstill said. "Our backs ran better … and we have to continue to build on that."
With rival WKU making a trip to Floyd Stadium this week for homecoming, Pierce is hitting his stride at the perfect time.
He currently leads Conference USA and ranks 14th nationally with 7.3 receptions per game. He's also fifth in the league in receiving yards per game with 73.7, up from the 46.8 he averaged in 2019, his first season at Middle Tennessee after transferring from College of the Canyons.
The Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers are both looking for their first win of the 2020 campaign, making another good outing from Pierce vital for the blue and white. Getting into the end zone for the first time this year wouldn't hurt, either.
He expects to see quite a bit of man coverage and a little more emphasis from opposing defenses on slowing him down. Pierce is ready for it, though.
"We just have to do whatever it takes," he said. "I feel like we really have the ball rolling right now. … Now, it's just about utilizing our skills."
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