Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MT has first scrimmage as spring nears halfway point
4/3/2021 2:39:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Beautiful weather finally let Middle Tennessee hold its first scrimmage of the spring Saturday.
The Blue Raiders were hoping to scrimmage last Saturday, but heavy rains forced them to cancel. Finally getting the chance to go through some game situations was cause for plenty of excitement around Floyd Stadium.
"It was a controlled scrimmage — we didn't tackle to the ground — but we got a lot of work in, and I thought it was a good day," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "The objective is to be able to practice and get better individually, and then collectively as a team. I thought we did that."
The controlled scrimmage included 85 plays with situations like third down, red zone and a full drive from the offense's 25-yard line.
Offensively, the three quarterbacks switching in and out of first-team reps — redshirt juniors Chase Cunningham and Bailey Hockman and redshirt sophomore Mike DiLiello — each had good moments.
Hockman got the most pass attempts, finishing 11-for-18 for two touchdowns and 140 yards.
Cunningham was 6-for-10 for 57 yards and two touchdowns, and DiLiello completed 6-of-7 throws for 67 yards and a TD and added another score on an untouched 32-yard run.
Senior Jimmy Marshall caught three passes for 50 yards to lead the wideouts, and redshirt senior running back Martell Pettaway rushed five times for 69 yards and had three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Though the offense had a few too many penalties, mainly offsides, new offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon was satisfied with the how the group looked.
"I like our guys' tempo and excitement today," he said. "Our guys were moving around a little better than just a normal practice. You could feel it got a little game day like. … We've thrown a lot at these kids in a seven, eight-day window here, but I was pretty happy with how they came out and competed and flew around today."
Defensively, there were some things defensive coordinator Scott Shafer would like to see more fine-tuned.
There are several linebackers and defensive backs who aren't taking part in some or all of spring drills, giving some younger guys a chance to see significant reps.
"It was great to be back out there today," redshirt junior defensive end Jordan Ferguson said. "We got a chance to do some extended drives, which was good. … I think the best thing we can do is just get better as a unit. We have some guys on the back end who are out, so we have to bring our young guys along and just keep getting better."
Middle Tennessee is almost halfway through spring practice. With just a few weeks left, Stockstill just wants to see his team build on what's been a good spring period so far.
"Some guys are starting to separate a little bit," he said. "We'll continue to practice like we've been … but the big thing is just to take advantage of every single day. No matter what we do, whether it's situational practice or individual drills, we just have to get better. The guys have had a great attitude and great work ethic, and I know they'll keep doing that."
The Blue Raiders were hoping to scrimmage last Saturday, but heavy rains forced them to cancel. Finally getting the chance to go through some game situations was cause for plenty of excitement around Floyd Stadium.
"It was a controlled scrimmage — we didn't tackle to the ground — but we got a lot of work in, and I thought it was a good day," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "The objective is to be able to practice and get better individually, and then collectively as a team. I thought we did that."
The controlled scrimmage included 85 plays with situations like third down, red zone and a full drive from the offense's 25-yard line.
Offensively, the three quarterbacks switching in and out of first-team reps — redshirt juniors Chase Cunningham and Bailey Hockman and redshirt sophomore Mike DiLiello — each had good moments.
Hockman got the most pass attempts, finishing 11-for-18 for two touchdowns and 140 yards.
Cunningham was 6-for-10 for 57 yards and two touchdowns, and DiLiello completed 6-of-7 throws for 67 yards and a TD and added another score on an untouched 32-yard run.
Senior Jimmy Marshall caught three passes for 50 yards to lead the wideouts, and redshirt senior running back Martell Pettaway rushed five times for 69 yards and had three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Though the offense had a few too many penalties, mainly offsides, new offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon was satisfied with the how the group looked.
"I like our guys' tempo and excitement today," he said. "Our guys were moving around a little better than just a normal practice. You could feel it got a little game day like. … We've thrown a lot at these kids in a seven, eight-day window here, but I was pretty happy with how they came out and competed and flew around today."
Defensively, there were some things defensive coordinator Scott Shafer would like to see more fine-tuned.
There are several linebackers and defensive backs who aren't taking part in some or all of spring drills, giving some younger guys a chance to see significant reps.
"It was great to be back out there today," redshirt junior defensive end Jordan Ferguson said. "We got a chance to do some extended drives, which was good. … I think the best thing we can do is just get better as a unit. We have some guys on the back end who are out, so we have to bring our young guys along and just keep getting better."
Middle Tennessee is almost halfway through spring practice. With just a few weeks left, Stockstill just wants to see his team build on what's been a good spring period so far.
"Some guys are starting to separate a little bit," he said. "We'll continue to practice like we've been … but the big thing is just to take advantage of every single day. No matter what we do, whether it's situational practice or individual drills, we just have to get better. The guys have had a great attitude and great work ethic, and I know they'll keep doing that."
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