Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
"There’s really no margin for error. We made some errors” — MTSU drops fourth straight rivalry game to WKU
10/16/2022 7:52:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — For at least one quarter, MTSU played better than the Blue Raiders have in weeks. A fumble recovery on the first defensive play of the game, a QB run for a touchdown featuring great blocking along the perimeter. Pressure, tight coverage, forcing errant passes from a WKU offense that was among the most prolific in the country.
For 60 minutes, however, modest improvements gave way to persistent problems that have plagued the Blue Raiders the past three weeks, when MTSU faced the three teams expected to compete for this year's Conference USA title and came away with losses in all three contests, two of them on the field at Floyd Stadium.
Poor wide receiver blocking and screens constantly being blown up on the outside, coupled with interior offensive line struggles that make most north-south play designs trick propositions at best. Poor eyes in the second level of the defense leading to missed tackles and the subsequent explosive plays that fueled the Hilltoppers second half run.
So many steps forward. So many more steps back.
"When you're playing those types of teams, there's really no margin for error," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We've had some errors."
The offense was inconsistent, getting 20 first downs but averaging just 3.8 yards per play, finishing just 3-for-17 on third down as poor first down production stalled offensive momentum. MTSU rushed for just 68 yards, averaging 2.4 yards a carry and just 3.4 yards per carry when one removes lost sack yardage.
The Blue Raiders tried to swing the ball out to the flats, cut up field for some gains. There was some success, like Frank Peasant's 32-yard second quarter catch on the swing pass off the blitz that set MTSU up just outside the red zone. But many times, WKU looked like they knew where the ball was going, stopping plays for short gains if the pass was completed at all.
"It's not really what they do, it's about what we do," wide receiver Yusuf Ali said. "We've got to be better on the perimeter, blocking for our teammates."
The offensive line, missing key cog backup Seth Falley and only having a limited Jahlil Ryles, continued their struggles, with poor snaps costing the Blue Raiders plays and constant pressure forcing a plethora of Chase Cunningham throwaways, so much that folks around Floyd Stadium began to sigh every time head referee Kevin Vicknair announced there was no penalty for intentional grounding.
"We've got to establish a line of scrimmage," Stockstill said of his offensive line. "We've got to be more physical, we've got to be more consistent, not only in our run blocking but in our pass protection."
The defense showed up, securing three takeaways that resulted in 14 of MTSU's 17 points. A move of Teldrick Ross from safety to corner, with Jakobe Thomas taking his place as a safety, paid huge dividends to the Blue Raiders' pass defense, particularly early on Saturday.
But a second half punch in the mouth from the Hilltoppers gave WKU a 21-10 lead after their first second half drive, and MTSU never found the counter punch in a moment that mattered the rest of the way.
"People start playing sloppy," Ross said of how WKU's tempo can affect defenses, an effect he attributes to his unit's second half regression. "They want you to fall asleep, get lackadaisical and that's how they get their big plays."
Stockstill was pleased with the progress in the secondary, crediting the switch to zone defense for helping keep the ball in front of his team, and also was impressed with his defensive line's impact given WKU's propensity to get the ball out quickly. But with a sputtering offense, a perfect game was needed from the defense. MTSU only got a decent one.
"I thought our front still did a good job, against the run, got a little bit of pressure when they could," Stockstill said. "A couple of times, their quarterback hurt us with quarterback draw, he scrambled out one time. They're an explosive offense, you can't give them anything, and we gave them a couple of things."
WKU has now taken the all-time series lead at 36-35-1, the first time the Blue Raiders have trailed the overall series since 1981. It's the first time any team in the rivalry has won four games in a row since MTSU did so from 1981-1985.
Perhaps the only other silver lining for the Blue Raiders is that the toughest stretch of their schedule is now behind them, with an open week to help heal the plethora of injuries that have swept through seemingly every unit, with key starters DJ England-Chisolm, Raquon Hartley and now Frank Peasant all missing time these past three games.
Before UTEP, however, there will need to be many more steps forward. Stockstill is confident his team still has what it takes to get there.
"We wish we weren't sitting where we're sitting," Stockstill said. "But there's a lot of pride in that locker room, there's no quit in that locker room. It's not pretty right now, but we'll get things going next week."
For 60 minutes, however, modest improvements gave way to persistent problems that have plagued the Blue Raiders the past three weeks, when MTSU faced the three teams expected to compete for this year's Conference USA title and came away with losses in all three contests, two of them on the field at Floyd Stadium.
Poor wide receiver blocking and screens constantly being blown up on the outside, coupled with interior offensive line struggles that make most north-south play designs trick propositions at best. Poor eyes in the second level of the defense leading to missed tackles and the subsequent explosive plays that fueled the Hilltoppers second half run.
So many steps forward. So many more steps back.
"When you're playing those types of teams, there's really no margin for error," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We've had some errors."
The offense was inconsistent, getting 20 first downs but averaging just 3.8 yards per play, finishing just 3-for-17 on third down as poor first down production stalled offensive momentum. MTSU rushed for just 68 yards, averaging 2.4 yards a carry and just 3.4 yards per carry when one removes lost sack yardage.
The Blue Raiders tried to swing the ball out to the flats, cut up field for some gains. There was some success, like Frank Peasant's 32-yard second quarter catch on the swing pass off the blitz that set MTSU up just outside the red zone. But many times, WKU looked like they knew where the ball was going, stopping plays for short gains if the pass was completed at all.
"It's not really what they do, it's about what we do," wide receiver Yusuf Ali said. "We've got to be better on the perimeter, blocking for our teammates."
The offensive line, missing key cog backup Seth Falley and only having a limited Jahlil Ryles, continued their struggles, with poor snaps costing the Blue Raiders plays and constant pressure forcing a plethora of Chase Cunningham throwaways, so much that folks around Floyd Stadium began to sigh every time head referee Kevin Vicknair announced there was no penalty for intentional grounding.
"We've got to establish a line of scrimmage," Stockstill said of his offensive line. "We've got to be more physical, we've got to be more consistent, not only in our run blocking but in our pass protection."
The defense showed up, securing three takeaways that resulted in 14 of MTSU's 17 points. A move of Teldrick Ross from safety to corner, with Jakobe Thomas taking his place as a safety, paid huge dividends to the Blue Raiders' pass defense, particularly early on Saturday.
But a second half punch in the mouth from the Hilltoppers gave WKU a 21-10 lead after their first second half drive, and MTSU never found the counter punch in a moment that mattered the rest of the way.
"People start playing sloppy," Ross said of how WKU's tempo can affect defenses, an effect he attributes to his unit's second half regression. "They want you to fall asleep, get lackadaisical and that's how they get their big plays."
Stockstill was pleased with the progress in the secondary, crediting the switch to zone defense for helping keep the ball in front of his team, and also was impressed with his defensive line's impact given WKU's propensity to get the ball out quickly. But with a sputtering offense, a perfect game was needed from the defense. MTSU only got a decent one.
"I thought our front still did a good job, against the run, got a little bit of pressure when they could," Stockstill said. "A couple of times, their quarterback hurt us with quarterback draw, he scrambled out one time. They're an explosive offense, you can't give them anything, and we gave them a couple of things."
WKU has now taken the all-time series lead at 36-35-1, the first time the Blue Raiders have trailed the overall series since 1981. It's the first time any team in the rivalry has won four games in a row since MTSU did so from 1981-1985.
Perhaps the only other silver lining for the Blue Raiders is that the toughest stretch of their schedule is now behind them, with an open week to help heal the plethora of injuries that have swept through seemingly every unit, with key starters DJ England-Chisolm, Raquon Hartley and now Frank Peasant all missing time these past three games.
Before UTEP, however, there will need to be many more steps forward. Stockstill is confident his team still has what it takes to get there.
"We wish we weren't sitting where we're sitting," Stockstill said. "But there's a lot of pride in that locker room, there's no quit in that locker room. It's not pretty right now, but we'll get things going next week."
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