Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Full team effort powered Blue Raiders past the Golden Eagles
10/31/2021 8:14:00 AM | Football
Big Plays came from both the usual and the unusual suspects on Saturday afternoon in Floyd Stadium
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Jordan Ferguson is a leader. Just about everyone in Murfreesboro knows that at this point in his career. And if they didn't, the big "C" emblazoned on the right shoulder of his uniform should clue you in that his Blue Raider teammates respect him.
"Ferg" as his teammates call him, had a heck of a game in Middle Tennessee's 35-10 win over Southern Miss. Eight tackles, two and half sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble. He calmly answered questions about his own performance at the post game podium, as he always does when he's called upon.
But when the subject turned to his freshman teammate, a fellow D-lineman getting playing time on the punt return unit? You could see how Ferguson was excited for his guy out of his room.
"Ralph Mency, no. 94," Ferguson said, offering his number, in case you forgot who blocked Southern Miss' second quarter punt that Tra Fluellen scooped up for MT's second touchdown of the day. "He takes pride in his role. He loves going down and hitting people every week. The big thing about it is, he's a freshman, he's young, and a lot of guys are doubling him on special teams."
The Golden Eagles might've doubled up Mency on the block, but the two-man wall was no match for No. 94, who stuck both hands out in a block Chuck Crawford would be proud of if one of his volleyball student athletes used the same technique in Alumni Memorial Gymnasium.
"We spend an enormous amount of time in the kicking game," head coach Rick Stockstill said, "You can scheme things up and think you've got a chance, but you never know. We were fortunate enough that we executed it. Ralph played hard. And when you play hard, you finish plays, and you've got a chance to be successful."
Mency was one of many players making big plays in roles they perhaps aren't accustomed to for the Blue Raiders on Saturday, teaming up with some of the names Middle Tennessee fans have heard over the Floyd Stadium PA system for years to put together a suffocating performance on defense and special teams in a game MT never really lost control of after that punt block touchdown.
In the latter category, there was DQ Thomas, leading the defense in tackles (10) while earning a pick-six late in the third quarter to put the Blue Raiders well out of the Golden Eagles' reach.
"First, it was go make the tackle," Thomas said of his read on the play. "Saw (the pass) was high, and then it was like 'it's time to go.' I just tried to make a big play for my team."
In the "unexpected heroes" category, chalk up one spot for Mike DiLiello, who took over at QB1 after Chase Cunningham went down with a lower body injury in the first half, and led the team in rushing with 77 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43 yard scamper that was very nearly even more.
A red zone package specialist through the Blue Raiders' first seven games, DiLiello got a chance to showcase his arm a little bit more on Saturday, tossing 78 yards in the air with a 66 percent completion percentage (8-12). But offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon also knew when to use DiLiello's strengths, dialing up two runs near the goal line to let the redshirt sophomore cook in space on the edge.
"It was kind of a cluster," DiLiello said of his second touchdown run. "I went on the sideline and talked to Martell Pettaway afterwards, and I said 'you know, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.' It kind of just worked out."
But even beyond guys stepping up when granted the opportunity, there were guys getting a chance to play roles they usually don't on defense. Jordan Branch, for instance, getting to show off his own personal truck stick at the tail end of a 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Or Marley Cook, getting his head up on a deflection to haul in his first career interception.
There was certainly much room for improvement for the Blue Raiders after a rainy day in Murfreesboro. While Stockstill said the defense and special teams were "elite," he thought his offense merely did "enough" to win. And with a rivalry game at Western Kentucky on tap, there's time to iron out the kinks in practice this week.
But on this Hallow-homecoming weekend, a full team effort is something to hang your hat on, for at least one night.
"Ferg" as his teammates call him, had a heck of a game in Middle Tennessee's 35-10 win over Southern Miss. Eight tackles, two and half sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble. He calmly answered questions about his own performance at the post game podium, as he always does when he's called upon.
But when the subject turned to his freshman teammate, a fellow D-lineman getting playing time on the punt return unit? You could see how Ferguson was excited for his guy out of his room.
"Ralph Mency, no. 94," Ferguson said, offering his number, in case you forgot who blocked Southern Miss' second quarter punt that Tra Fluellen scooped up for MT's second touchdown of the day. "He takes pride in his role. He loves going down and hitting people every week. The big thing about it is, he's a freshman, he's young, and a lot of guys are doubling him on special teams."
The Golden Eagles might've doubled up Mency on the block, but the two-man wall was no match for No. 94, who stuck both hands out in a block Chuck Crawford would be proud of if one of his volleyball student athletes used the same technique in Alumni Memorial Gymnasium.
The FOURTH blocked kick of the season for your #BlueRaiders results in a TD! 😎@Mency_Ralph20 | @tra_fluellen pic.twitter.com/AHLcYHshxR
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 30, 2021
"We spend an enormous amount of time in the kicking game," head coach Rick Stockstill said, "You can scheme things up and think you've got a chance, but you never know. We were fortunate enough that we executed it. Ralph played hard. And when you play hard, you finish plays, and you've got a chance to be successful."
Mency was one of many players making big plays in roles they perhaps aren't accustomed to for the Blue Raiders on Saturday, teaming up with some of the names Middle Tennessee fans have heard over the Floyd Stadium PA system for years to put together a suffocating performance on defense and special teams in a game MT never really lost control of after that punt block touchdown.
In the latter category, there was DQ Thomas, leading the defense in tackles (10) while earning a pick-six late in the third quarter to put the Blue Raiders well out of the Golden Eagles' reach.
HOUSE CALL 🗣@_dqthomas20 | #EATT pic.twitter.com/Pbms2fv3aR
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 30, 2021
"First, it was go make the tackle," Thomas said of his read on the play. "Saw (the pass) was high, and then it was like 'it's time to go.' I just tried to make a big play for my team."
In the "unexpected heroes" category, chalk up one spot for Mike DiLiello, who took over at QB1 after Chase Cunningham went down with a lower body injury in the first half, and led the team in rushing with 77 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43 yard scamper that was very nearly even more.
Mike's got some wheels 💨@mikediliello1 | #EATT pic.twitter.com/1wLBXn8Zip
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 30, 2021
A red zone package specialist through the Blue Raiders' first seven games, DiLiello got a chance to showcase his arm a little bit more on Saturday, tossing 78 yards in the air with a 66 percent completion percentage (8-12). But offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon also knew when to use DiLiello's strengths, dialing up two runs near the goal line to let the redshirt sophomore cook in space on the edge.
"It was kind of a cluster," DiLiello said of his second touchdown run. "I went on the sideline and talked to Martell Pettaway afterwards, and I said 'you know, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.' It kind of just worked out."
Rushing TD No. 2 today for No. 12.@mikediliello1 | #EATT pic.twitter.com/9bs7jUawNM
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 30, 2021
But even beyond guys stepping up when granted the opportunity, there were guys getting a chance to play roles they usually don't on defense. Jordan Branch, for instance, getting to show off his own personal truck stick at the tail end of a 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Or Marley Cook, getting his head up on a deflection to haul in his first career interception.
If you don't love a lineman scoop-n-score, then we can't be friends.
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 30, 2021
Another touchdown for @MT_FB puts the Blue Raiders ahead 21-7. #SCTop10 | @piesmantrophy pic.twitter.com/zF1qCPOsfe
This defense is on 🔥@marl3ycook57 makes it three turnovers this half. pic.twitter.com/i2knmGskZz
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 30, 2021
There was certainly much room for improvement for the Blue Raiders after a rainy day in Murfreesboro. While Stockstill said the defense and special teams were "elite," he thought his offense merely did "enough" to win. And with a rivalry game at Western Kentucky on tap, there's time to iron out the kinks in practice this week.
But on this Hallow-homecoming weekend, a full team effort is something to hang your hat on, for at least one night.
Great team WIN💙 https://t.co/7EQ82VlgJ2
— Chase Cunningham (@Chase_C_5) October 30, 2021
Players Mentioned
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