Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Tuesday, October 10
Murfreesboro, TN
6:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
vs
Louisiana Tech
Preview: Q&A with LA Tech Beat Writer Ben Carlisle
10/9/2023 10:42:00 AM | Football
The BleedTechBlue Publisher stops by to discuss the Bulldogs ahead of MTSU’s third midweek CUSA matchup
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Speaking on Friday ahead of MTSU's Tuesday night game this week, Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill was reflective about the task ahead in the second half of the season for the Blue Raiders.
"The game doesn't care, the game doesn't know who's supposed to win," Stockstill said. "All the game wants you to do show up and go to work."
After three-straight weeks of deflating losses, focus on the work, the grind of the day-to-day college football life is what's sustaining MTSU's hopes the rest of 2023, as the Blue Raiders welcome Louisiana Tech to Floyd Stadium for their third midweek matchup in as many weeks on Tuesday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Also sustaining that hope? The end to the Blue Raiders' 2022 season, where MTSU snapped out of a three-game skid to win five out of the team's last six games, including the Hawai'i Bowl. Something MTSU will have to do to be bowl eligible this season.
"We're in a little bit of a bigger hole this year," quarterback Nicholas Vattiato acknowledged. "But there's no doubt in my mind that the guys on this team and the coaches we have can find a way to rattle off some wins going into the second half of the season and turn this around. We went through it last year and found a way, and I know we're going to find a way this year."
Up first in that quest is a Louisiana Tech team that has shown flashes in Year 2 under head coach Sonny Cumbie, including a 2-1 record in CUSA play so far this season. An offense filled with talented skill players is second in Conference USA in scoring and first in total yards is no surprise, given Cumbie's background as both an Air Raid quarterback and coordinator.
The Bulldogs are coming off a tough loss of their own to Western Kentucky, falling 35-28 after trailing 35-7 at the half. Vattiato said the comeback attempt, while falling short, shows the ceiling of what LA Tech's defense and offense can be.
"Obviously, their second half adjustments proved well," Vattiato said of the Bulldog defense. "They really gave their team a chance to get back in the game...they're not a group that's going to give up."
Keeping one step ahead of those adjustments will be key on Tuesday. For now, however, MTSU is still focused on what the game wants them to do: show up to work.
"Right now is a time where we could easily be like 'This is hard and we don't want to do it,' but we're still going," safety Tra Fluellen said. "We're still fighting the good fight. We've still got games to play and we've still got a season."
To learn more about the Bulldogs in 2023, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton reached out to Ben Carlisle, who is the Publisher for BleedTechBlue, the Rivals affiliate that covers LA Tech. Carlisle discusses the two quarterbacks that have played for the Bulldogs so far this season, names to know on the LA Tech defense and what he thinks the key matchups will be on Tuesday night.
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1. Sonny Cumbie had a rough Year 1 in Ruston record wise, but the Bulldogs definitely had their moments in several tight games. So far in Year 2, Cumbie was able to match his season win total from Year 1 in just six games. How do you assess the job the former Texas Tech offensive coordinator has done in his rebuild of the LA Tech program so far?
There have certainly been flashes to where the program looks improved, and there are other moments against SMU & WKU where you leave scratching your head. The offense is really similar to where it was a season ago, but the defense is allowing 10 fewer points per game. With Cumbie 19 games into his Tech tenure, there is no doubt that there is still plenty of room for growth across the program.
2. After injuries to Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier forced him into action, Jack Turner has been a fairly steady hand at times under center for the Bulldogs. But even with Bachmeier dressing out against WKU and LA Tech quickly falling behind on Thursday, Cumbie rolled with Turner through the Bulldogs' comeback attempt. In your view, who do you think has the edge to finish out the season at quarterback? What do each of the two signal callers bring the LA Tech offense?
It's pretty clear cut at this point that Cumbie is going to stick with Turner. He doesn't have a whole lot of experience in high school, JC, or the FBS level, but he's held his own over the last 3+ games. The accuracy can come and go at times, but his ability to use his legs to create more time to throw the football has been a big plus. I'm interested in watching how he continues to progress over the final five games of the season.
3. Smoke Harris returning kicks has always been appointment viewing since he came to Ruston, but it seems like he's also growing even more as a receiver now in his redshirt senior season. What has led to his growth on offense so far and, perhaps more importantly, what leads to games where his production drops, like against UTEP and SMU this season?
He's been fantastic through seven games with 48 catches for 485 yards, and 3 TDs. In games where he doesn't produce, it seems to be pretty simple in the fact that sometimes he gets forgotten about within the offense. Tech has to prioritize getting him the ball 8-10 times a game on offense so that the unit can play to its fullest potential.
4. MTSU QB Nicholas Vattiato was quick to compliment the resolve of the LA Tech defense in their comeback attempt against WKU. Through an up-and-down year for the defense so far, who are some of players that the Bulldogs need to play well on that side of the ball to have a successful night in Murfreesboro?
Deshon Hall has been solid for five years on the defensive line and has a team-high 2 sacks. Jeslord Boateng transferred in from Akron and has been rock solid at linebacker with 46 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 1 sack. (Defensive Back) Willie Roberts is the name to know on the Tech defense, though. Roberts has 29 tackles, 9 PBUs, and 1 INT. Opposing QBs are only completing 27 percent of their throws when he's been targeted.
5. It's a short week in Conference USA again for both teams, though LA Tech will lose an extra day compared to MTSU thanks to the Thursday night kickoff. What do you think will be the key matchup LA Tech needs to win to win Tuesday's game, as close to a must-win for both programs as any this far into the season?
Tech has struggled to throw the football consistently, but the run game is averaging 182 yards per game over its last 5 contests. Tyre Shelton has run for 100+ yards in his last 3 games. Running the football will be essential for the Bulldogs on offense. Defensively, Tech has to limit the big play. Big plays have killed Scott Power's unit all season.
"The game doesn't care, the game doesn't know who's supposed to win," Stockstill said. "All the game wants you to do show up and go to work."
After three-straight weeks of deflating losses, focus on the work, the grind of the day-to-day college football life is what's sustaining MTSU's hopes the rest of 2023, as the Blue Raiders welcome Louisiana Tech to Floyd Stadium for their third midweek matchup in as many weeks on Tuesday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Also sustaining that hope? The end to the Blue Raiders' 2022 season, where MTSU snapped out of a three-game skid to win five out of the team's last six games, including the Hawai'i Bowl. Something MTSU will have to do to be bowl eligible this season.
"We're in a little bit of a bigger hole this year," quarterback Nicholas Vattiato acknowledged. "But there's no doubt in my mind that the guys on this team and the coaches we have can find a way to rattle off some wins going into the second half of the season and turn this around. We went through it last year and found a way, and I know we're going to find a way this year."
Up first in that quest is a Louisiana Tech team that has shown flashes in Year 2 under head coach Sonny Cumbie, including a 2-1 record in CUSA play so far this season. An offense filled with talented skill players is second in Conference USA in scoring and first in total yards is no surprise, given Cumbie's background as both an Air Raid quarterback and coordinator.
The Bulldogs are coming off a tough loss of their own to Western Kentucky, falling 35-28 after trailing 35-7 at the half. Vattiato said the comeback attempt, while falling short, shows the ceiling of what LA Tech's defense and offense can be.
"Obviously, their second half adjustments proved well," Vattiato said of the Bulldog defense. "They really gave their team a chance to get back in the game...they're not a group that's going to give up."
Keeping one step ahead of those adjustments will be key on Tuesday. For now, however, MTSU is still focused on what the game wants them to do: show up to work.
"Right now is a time where we could easily be like 'This is hard and we don't want to do it,' but we're still going," safety Tra Fluellen said. "We're still fighting the good fight. We've still got games to play and we've still got a season."
To learn more about the Bulldogs in 2023, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton reached out to Ben Carlisle, who is the Publisher for BleedTechBlue, the Rivals affiliate that covers LA Tech. Carlisle discusses the two quarterbacks that have played for the Bulldogs so far this season, names to know on the LA Tech defense and what he thinks the key matchups will be on Tuesday night.
---
1. Sonny Cumbie had a rough Year 1 in Ruston record wise, but the Bulldogs definitely had their moments in several tight games. So far in Year 2, Cumbie was able to match his season win total from Year 1 in just six games. How do you assess the job the former Texas Tech offensive coordinator has done in his rebuild of the LA Tech program so far?
There have certainly been flashes to where the program looks improved, and there are other moments against SMU & WKU where you leave scratching your head. The offense is really similar to where it was a season ago, but the defense is allowing 10 fewer points per game. With Cumbie 19 games into his Tech tenure, there is no doubt that there is still plenty of room for growth across the program.
2. After injuries to Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier forced him into action, Jack Turner has been a fairly steady hand at times under center for the Bulldogs. But even with Bachmeier dressing out against WKU and LA Tech quickly falling behind on Thursday, Cumbie rolled with Turner through the Bulldogs' comeback attempt. In your view, who do you think has the edge to finish out the season at quarterback? What do each of the two signal callers bring the LA Tech offense?
It's pretty clear cut at this point that Cumbie is going to stick with Turner. He doesn't have a whole lot of experience in high school, JC, or the FBS level, but he's held his own over the last 3+ games. The accuracy can come and go at times, but his ability to use his legs to create more time to throw the football has been a big plus. I'm interested in watching how he continues to progress over the final five games of the season.
3. Smoke Harris returning kicks has always been appointment viewing since he came to Ruston, but it seems like he's also growing even more as a receiver now in his redshirt senior season. What has led to his growth on offense so far and, perhaps more importantly, what leads to games where his production drops, like against UTEP and SMU this season?
He's been fantastic through seven games with 48 catches for 485 yards, and 3 TDs. In games where he doesn't produce, it seems to be pretty simple in the fact that sometimes he gets forgotten about within the offense. Tech has to prioritize getting him the ball 8-10 times a game on offense so that the unit can play to its fullest potential.
4. MTSU QB Nicholas Vattiato was quick to compliment the resolve of the LA Tech defense in their comeback attempt against WKU. Through an up-and-down year for the defense so far, who are some of players that the Bulldogs need to play well on that side of the ball to have a successful night in Murfreesboro?
Deshon Hall has been solid for five years on the defensive line and has a team-high 2 sacks. Jeslord Boateng transferred in from Akron and has been rock solid at linebacker with 46 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 1 sack. (Defensive Back) Willie Roberts is the name to know on the Tech defense, though. Roberts has 29 tackles, 9 PBUs, and 1 INT. Opposing QBs are only completing 27 percent of their throws when he's been targeted.
5. It's a short week in Conference USA again for both teams, though LA Tech will lose an extra day compared to MTSU thanks to the Thursday night kickoff. What do you think will be the key matchup LA Tech needs to win to win Tuesday's game, as close to a must-win for both programs as any this far into the season?
Tech has struggled to throw the football consistently, but the run game is averaging 182 yards per game over its last 5 contests. Tyre Shelton has run for 100+ yards in his last 3 games. Running the football will be essential for the Bulldogs on offense. Defensively, Tech has to limit the big play. Big plays have killed Scott Power's unit all season.
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