Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, November 12
2:30 PM CT
Middle Tennessee
vs
Charlotte
Preview: Q&A with Charlotte Beat Writer Hunter Bailey
11/11/2022 10:56:00 AM | Football
Middle Tennessee looks to get back in win column in final C-USA matchup with the 49ers
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The message Rick Stockstill gives every day at the Murphy Center for Middle Tennessee football, but particularly the past month, has remained the same: We've got to keep the focus on us.
Flush the negatives, build off the positives, continue to get better at practice each week. Work on what you can control, rather than worrying about what you can't.
"The focus really this week, every coach says it, I say it, but it's about us," Stockstill said. "We've got to worry and fix ourselves."
After a loss on the road to LA Tech dropped the Blue Raiders to 4-5 overall this season, MTSU needs to win two out of their last three games to become bowl eligible. That starts this Saturday on Salute to Veterans Day, when the 2-8 Charlotte 49ers visit Floyd Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN3 and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
As for the 49ers, to say things have not gone the way Charlotte football has wanted this season would be an understatement.
There was the Week Zero game at FAU, getting their C-USA campaign off on the wrong foot early with a 43-13 loss in Boca Raton. That game saw star quarterback Chris Reynolds leave with an injury, and his absence played no small part in Charlotte's 41-24 loss to FCS William & Mary the next week. Reynolds came back eventually, helping pilot a win on the road at Georgia State, but after C-USA play restarted with three more losses, the writing was on the wall for the 49ers.
Head Coach Will Healy was fired. Interim Coach Pete Rossomando took his place, leading Charlotte to a win in his first game at the helm, blowing out Rice 56-23 in Houston. But that was followed up by a quick return to earth, with a 59-7 shellacking at home against Western Kentucky.
When Reynolds, the program's all-time passing leader, has been healthy, the offense has been effective. The sixth-year signal-caller, who like Cunningham started in the program as a walk-on, earned a lot of praise from MTSU this week.
"The biggest thing about him is he's a tough kid," defensive end Jordan Ferguson said. "You hit him, you hit him, you hit him, over the years we've hit a lot. And over the years he's found a way to keep playing and keep battling. I respect him a lot."
The defense? Well, the less said about a unit that ranks last in Conference USA in rushing, passing and scoring defense, the better. But with the offense's struggles turning the ball over in Ruston, focus has been key at practice this week for MTSU. Additionally, many Blue Raiders are game time decisions this week after leaving last week's game due to injury, including quarterback Chase Cunningham and wide receiver Jaylin Lane.
To get a closer look at the 49ers, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton once again sat down with Hunter Bailey, who covers Charlotte for the Charlotte Observer, to run down some names to know, check in on how things have transitioned with an interim coach, and go over some keys to the game.
You can follow Bailey and his work on Twitter @HunterBailey45.
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1) Thinks quickly went south for Will Healy this season, with three straight losses to open the year making way to losing his job after a 1-7 start. You did a great job recapping the how of his departure for Underdog Dynasty, so don't want to dive into that too much here. But the team seems to have gotten a slight spark from Pete Rossomando taking over as the interim coach. What have you seen change around the program over the past few weeks and what are some of the goals the 49ers are discussing for the rest of the season?
At this point in the year, I think they just want to enjoy the remaining days together and find a way to have success and open Club Lit again for the seniors. Rossomando has made changes to the practice schedule, shortening the daily practice and replacing the "fast Friday" with a rest day to keep players healthy. The players have expressed their enthusiasm for the change, however, Rossomando closed practice to the media, so I haven't been able to see the changes in action.
I believe that finding a way to win at least one game and end this year – one that had such high expectations and such low realities – on a high note is the main goal. Creating any sort of momentum ahead of the jump to the American Athletic Conference would be great, too.
2) Charlotte's slow start had a lot to do with Chris Reynolds missing time with an injury early this season. Since he's been back, the offense has generally had that big play ability they've been known for the past few years. How has the veteran signal-caller handled the adversity after coming back for a COVID year and what continues to make him one of the more dynamic threats at the quarterback position in C-USA?
Chris has been in nearly every game situation in football during his six years at Charlotte. And if he hasn't played the exact situation, he's watched film and prepared for it. Reynolds has been up and down this year, but his best performances have both come in victories, throwing five touchdowns against both Georgia State and Rice.
I believe he was pressing a lot in 2021 as the season fell apart, with the feeling of needing to score on every possession becoming real. His decision to come back was based on unfinished business, and it's been tough to watch him go through the lows of this season knowing the mentality he brings every day. Adversity has been at an all-time high for his career at Charlotte, especially battling back from injury and having to change the way he plays to avoid hits and extra damage. With two games left, you can expect No. 3 will continue to do what he's done for the past five seasons – leave it all out on the field.
3) Elijah Spencer and Grant Dubose, if the future coaching staff can keep them around, are clearly two bright spots for the future at wide receiver for the 49ers, and two players that had MTSU's number last year in Charlotte when MTSU fell on the road. How have they developed through all of the challenges Charlotte has faced this season?
Both Spencer and DuBose are next-level talents, in my opinion. Spencer has caught touchdowns in six of the last seven games and is currently third in C-USA with 831 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on the year. His emergence has designated him as the number one target, and prior to the Western Kentucky game last Saturday, he had led the 49ers in receiving for eight consecutive games. He's averaging nearly 19 yards a catch and is elite in the yards after the catch department. Spencer, a true sophomore, has at least one final year in school before he can explore NFL opportunities. Whether it's at Charlotte or at a Power Five program – that kid is a stud. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is, he's getting open and he's only getting better.
DuBose's breakout season carried right into the season opener, reeling in the first touchdown of the season for the 49ers and being the lone bright spot in what was a disastrous performance at Florida Atlantic. His numbers have been up and down this season, but he's always shown up when it mattered most, especially catching the game-winning touchdown against Georgia State for Charlotte's first win. His 6-foot-2, 209lb frame makes him a red zone threat, and he has the ability to turn a 50-50 ball into an 80-20, and he will tell you that – all game. The trash talk starts and stops with DuBose. And he's backed it up. He is eligible for the NFL as a redshirt sophomore and has had multiple scouts in attendance on his behalf throughout the season.
4) Rick Stockstill was conciliatory to the Charlotte defense in his game week availability, saying that a lot of their struggles on that side of the ball have come against teams that have been productive against every team they've faced this year. But the fact remains they are at or near the bottom in almost every defensive category within C-USA this season. What has gone so wrong on that side of the ball, and what goes well the few games they have clicked (namely, Rice)?
It would be quicker for me to give you the list of things that have gone right for Charlotte's defense.
The injury bug has bitten nearly every week, depleting what was already a concerning secondary and requiring wide receivers to convert to cornerback (and learn literally in-game). The schematics of this unit have been in question from literally the first snap of the season, and alignment and assignment has been a struggle, especially against up-tempo teams. Charlotte is getting caught looking at the sideline repeatedly.
The main weakness is the pass defense. Teams are averaging 10.4 yards per attempt – yes, that says attempt. If you even consider throwing the ball, it's a first down. You can't win many games like that, especially if the offense doesn't come out firing immediately.
I think the Rice game was a great example of what this team could have been this season. It also was the first game after firing their head coach, which was extremely emotional for the locker room. The offense scored seven touchdowns in a row, and the defense was lights out from the second quarter on. The front four was getting pressure, and Rice was just flat-out terrible. Charlotte has been able to generate nearly one takeaway a game this season and will need more of that to score the third and final road victory of the season on Saturday.
5) Middle Tennessee will be desperate to get back in the win column to keep their bowl hopes alive, while Charlotte is just playing for pride at this point in the season. What do think will be the keys in order for the 49ers to get their second C-USA win in their final season in the conference?
Last season's matchup was one of the most fun games of the season, especially with surprise starter Chase Cunningham and Chris Reynolds combining for what felt like 20 touchdowns. There were so many timely plays that kept the 49ers afloat, and they will need more of that in Murfreesboro.
Three keys for the 49ers are as follows:
Flush the negatives, build off the positives, continue to get better at practice each week. Work on what you can control, rather than worrying about what you can't.
"The focus really this week, every coach says it, I say it, but it's about us," Stockstill said. "We've got to worry and fix ourselves."
After a loss on the road to LA Tech dropped the Blue Raiders to 4-5 overall this season, MTSU needs to win two out of their last three games to become bowl eligible. That starts this Saturday on Salute to Veterans Day, when the 2-8 Charlotte 49ers visit Floyd Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN3 and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
As for the 49ers, to say things have not gone the way Charlotte football has wanted this season would be an understatement.
There was the Week Zero game at FAU, getting their C-USA campaign off on the wrong foot early with a 43-13 loss in Boca Raton. That game saw star quarterback Chris Reynolds leave with an injury, and his absence played no small part in Charlotte's 41-24 loss to FCS William & Mary the next week. Reynolds came back eventually, helping pilot a win on the road at Georgia State, but after C-USA play restarted with three more losses, the writing was on the wall for the 49ers.
Head Coach Will Healy was fired. Interim Coach Pete Rossomando took his place, leading Charlotte to a win in his first game at the helm, blowing out Rice 56-23 in Houston. But that was followed up by a quick return to earth, with a 59-7 shellacking at home against Western Kentucky.
When Reynolds, the program's all-time passing leader, has been healthy, the offense has been effective. The sixth-year signal-caller, who like Cunningham started in the program as a walk-on, earned a lot of praise from MTSU this week.
"The biggest thing about him is he's a tough kid," defensive end Jordan Ferguson said. "You hit him, you hit him, you hit him, over the years we've hit a lot. And over the years he's found a way to keep playing and keep battling. I respect him a lot."
The defense? Well, the less said about a unit that ranks last in Conference USA in rushing, passing and scoring defense, the better. But with the offense's struggles turning the ball over in Ruston, focus has been key at practice this week for MTSU. Additionally, many Blue Raiders are game time decisions this week after leaving last week's game due to injury, including quarterback Chase Cunningham and wide receiver Jaylin Lane.
To get a closer look at the 49ers, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton once again sat down with Hunter Bailey, who covers Charlotte for the Charlotte Observer, to run down some names to know, check in on how things have transitioned with an interim coach, and go over some keys to the game.
You can follow Bailey and his work on Twitter @HunterBailey45.
----
1) Thinks quickly went south for Will Healy this season, with three straight losses to open the year making way to losing his job after a 1-7 start. You did a great job recapping the how of his departure for Underdog Dynasty, so don't want to dive into that too much here. But the team seems to have gotten a slight spark from Pete Rossomando taking over as the interim coach. What have you seen change around the program over the past few weeks and what are some of the goals the 49ers are discussing for the rest of the season?
At this point in the year, I think they just want to enjoy the remaining days together and find a way to have success and open Club Lit again for the seniors. Rossomando has made changes to the practice schedule, shortening the daily practice and replacing the "fast Friday" with a rest day to keep players healthy. The players have expressed their enthusiasm for the change, however, Rossomando closed practice to the media, so I haven't been able to see the changes in action.
I believe that finding a way to win at least one game and end this year – one that had such high expectations and such low realities – on a high note is the main goal. Creating any sort of momentum ahead of the jump to the American Athletic Conference would be great, too.
2) Charlotte's slow start had a lot to do with Chris Reynolds missing time with an injury early this season. Since he's been back, the offense has generally had that big play ability they've been known for the past few years. How has the veteran signal-caller handled the adversity after coming back for a COVID year and what continues to make him one of the more dynamic threats at the quarterback position in C-USA?
Chris has been in nearly every game situation in football during his six years at Charlotte. And if he hasn't played the exact situation, he's watched film and prepared for it. Reynolds has been up and down this year, but his best performances have both come in victories, throwing five touchdowns against both Georgia State and Rice.
I believe he was pressing a lot in 2021 as the season fell apart, with the feeling of needing to score on every possession becoming real. His decision to come back was based on unfinished business, and it's been tough to watch him go through the lows of this season knowing the mentality he brings every day. Adversity has been at an all-time high for his career at Charlotte, especially battling back from injury and having to change the way he plays to avoid hits and extra damage. With two games left, you can expect No. 3 will continue to do what he's done for the past five seasons – leave it all out on the field.
3) Elijah Spencer and Grant Dubose, if the future coaching staff can keep them around, are clearly two bright spots for the future at wide receiver for the 49ers, and two players that had MTSU's number last year in Charlotte when MTSU fell on the road. How have they developed through all of the challenges Charlotte has faced this season?
Both Spencer and DuBose are next-level talents, in my opinion. Spencer has caught touchdowns in six of the last seven games and is currently third in C-USA with 831 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on the year. His emergence has designated him as the number one target, and prior to the Western Kentucky game last Saturday, he had led the 49ers in receiving for eight consecutive games. He's averaging nearly 19 yards a catch and is elite in the yards after the catch department. Spencer, a true sophomore, has at least one final year in school before he can explore NFL opportunities. Whether it's at Charlotte or at a Power Five program – that kid is a stud. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is, he's getting open and he's only getting better.
DuBose's breakout season carried right into the season opener, reeling in the first touchdown of the season for the 49ers and being the lone bright spot in what was a disastrous performance at Florida Atlantic. His numbers have been up and down this season, but he's always shown up when it mattered most, especially catching the game-winning touchdown against Georgia State for Charlotte's first win. His 6-foot-2, 209lb frame makes him a red zone threat, and he has the ability to turn a 50-50 ball into an 80-20, and he will tell you that – all game. The trash talk starts and stops with DuBose. And he's backed it up. He is eligible for the NFL as a redshirt sophomore and has had multiple scouts in attendance on his behalf throughout the season.
4) Rick Stockstill was conciliatory to the Charlotte defense in his game week availability, saying that a lot of their struggles on that side of the ball have come against teams that have been productive against every team they've faced this year. But the fact remains they are at or near the bottom in almost every defensive category within C-USA this season. What has gone so wrong on that side of the ball, and what goes well the few games they have clicked (namely, Rice)?
It would be quicker for me to give you the list of things that have gone right for Charlotte's defense.
The injury bug has bitten nearly every week, depleting what was already a concerning secondary and requiring wide receivers to convert to cornerback (and learn literally in-game). The schematics of this unit have been in question from literally the first snap of the season, and alignment and assignment has been a struggle, especially against up-tempo teams. Charlotte is getting caught looking at the sideline repeatedly.
The main weakness is the pass defense. Teams are averaging 10.4 yards per attempt – yes, that says attempt. If you even consider throwing the ball, it's a first down. You can't win many games like that, especially if the offense doesn't come out firing immediately.
I think the Rice game was a great example of what this team could have been this season. It also was the first game after firing their head coach, which was extremely emotional for the locker room. The offense scored seven touchdowns in a row, and the defense was lights out from the second quarter on. The front four was getting pressure, and Rice was just flat-out terrible. Charlotte has been able to generate nearly one takeaway a game this season and will need more of that to score the third and final road victory of the season on Saturday.
5) Middle Tennessee will be desperate to get back in the win column to keep their bowl hopes alive, while Charlotte is just playing for pride at this point in the season. What do think will be the keys in order for the 49ers to get their second C-USA win in their final season in the conference?
Last season's matchup was one of the most fun games of the season, especially with surprise starter Chase Cunningham and Chris Reynolds combining for what felt like 20 touchdowns. There were so many timely plays that kept the 49ers afloat, and they will need more of that in Murfreesboro.
Three keys for the 49ers are as follows:
- Slow down Franklin Peasant. In Middle Tennessee's four wins, Peasant is rushing for over 95 yards and scoring nearly two touchdowns per game. In their five losses, Peasant is scoreless and is averaging 32 yards per game. Charlotte must be disciplined in the run fits and utilize frequent substitution packages to keep energy high and combat the up-tempo offense.
- Protect Chris Reynolds. Reynolds was under pressure on nearly 50% of his dropbacks against Western Kentucky, according to Pro Football Focus. If they can keep the 5-foot-11 signal-caller up and give him time in the pocket, he could have a big day against a Blue Raider defense that's allowing 275 yards per game through the air, ranking fourth worst in C-USA (almost as bad as Charlotte's). I am excited to see Decorian Patterson against the 49ers' Big 3. Elijah Spencer said that he, "didn't see it as a big challenge," at Tuesday's press conference.
- Be aggressive on special teams. Because why not? They have literally nothing to lose, and it worked great against Rice. We've seen onside kicks, fake punts, reverses on kick returns, and excellent punt coverage – especially from DuBose, who may be as good of a gunner as he is a wideout. Shadrick Byrd has been solid in the kick return game and was honored as C-USA special teams' player of the week two weeks ago with his performance against Rice. This is the time when you put the analytics book down and take risks, especially if the offense needs a spark.
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