Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, November 25
Huntsville, TX
11:00 AM
Middle Tennessee
at
Sam Houston
PREVIEW: Q&A with Huntsville Item Sports Editor Colton Foster
11/24/2023 11:19:00 AM | Football
GBR.com previews MTSU’s final football game of the season against CUSA newcomer Sam Houston
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It's safe to say that much like the Blue Raiders, Sam Houston has not had the 2023 on the gridiron they wanted.
In a year where the other two programs in year two of their FCS-to-FBS transitions, James Madison and Jacksonville State, would be in line to play their way into conference title games if not for their transition rules barring them from immediate postseason eligibility, the Bearkats have had a much, much tougher season, entering Saturday afternoon's contest just 2-9 after opening the season on an eight game losing streak.
Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill cautioned folks not to read too much into the Bearkats record when judging their ability, however.
"Their overall record does not indicate how good this team is," Stockstill said. "This is not coach speak sitting up here talking about a 2-9 team. They've lost a bunch of games by one score. They've been in just about every game they've played."
Five of the Bearkats losses have come by one score, with two of those losses coming in overtime. Additionally, early season matchups Sam Houston held BYU to just 14 points and Air Force to just 13 points, before dropping those games in two-score contests. The Bearkats have been a tough out, even if the wins haven't come in bunches quite yet.
The flipside, of course, is equally as true. If not for a tight, 24-21 victory over future conference mate Kennesaw State and a pick-6 to ice the game on the road at LA Tech, the Bearkats could easily be looking for their first FBS victory heading into Saturday's 11 a.m. CT kickoff on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
MTSU can relate to that sentiment, having dropped five of their seven losses in one score games as well, but with two of their three conference wins coming in equally as close circumstances. But for the second Saturday in a row, Middle Tennessee will face a program that in 2023 will be playing for just pride at the end of the season. That fact hasn't diminished his team's focus, Stockstill said.
"We're fired up about this opportunity to finish out the season," Stockstill said. "Proud of our guys and how they've responded here the last three weeks of the season, would not expect anything different this week."
On the field, the Bearkats possess one of the better defenses in Conference USA, particularly when healthy. Their fourth best scoring defense has kept them in a plethora of games.
"They're not an easy unit to play," quarterback Nicholas Vattiato said, highlighting the play of linebacker Trevor Williams. "He flies around the ball, sideline-to-sideline, fitting gaps in the run game, getting coverage in the passing game, getting to his zones or if he has to match it back to man. He has so much responsibility on his plate, and he handles it so well."
Offensively, the Bearkats' depth moving up to the FBS has been tested, to mixed results, but wide receiver Noah Smith has been a star, leading the CUSA in receptions per game entering Saturday.
"He gets open, he catches the ball," safety Tra Fluellen said. "He's very good at catching the ball. He reminds a little bit of (MTSU WR Holden Willis) because Holden can catch any ball that comes his way."
To learn more about the Bearkats, GoBlueRaiders.com staff writer Sam Doughton chatted with Colton Foster, who covers Sam Houston while being the sports editor for the Bearkats' hometown newspaper, the Huntsville Item. Foster discussed the Bearkats transition, some of the injuries Sam Houston has dealt with, players to know and much more!
---
1) It was certainly a tough start to the Bearkats time in the FBS, with seven straight losses, a few in heartbreaking fashion, to open the season. But knowing the context, as well as after two wins late in the year, how do you assess where the Sam Houston program is heading after the transition period ends this weekend?
Sam Houston knew coming into this year that it would be tough, especially with the schedule they were dealt to open things up. While this season has seen a lot of downs, it hasn't phased this team as each day they continue to show up and practice each week like a loss never happened. With a full year now to recruit FBS-level talent and being able to get more experience under some of the underclassmen, the Kats are in a prime spot moving forward.
2) Keegan Shoemaker, outside of his excellent pooch punting skills, has had an up-and-down season at quarterback, but when he's on, it's clear Sam Houston can score some points. What are some keys for him to get going early for the Bearkats?
For Keegan, it is about playing free and making sure he can get the ball to his playmakers. Not having a healthy running back every week has put a lot of pressure on him to be the sole guy on the offense to make plays with opposing defenses knowing the Kats are on their seventh-string RB. After being benched, Shoemaker had a quicker release time and was able to find his receivers in space. With his legs being another asset his rolling out and running just helps his ability. His major keys will be getting the ball to Noah Smith and the other guys who can make plays with their legs.
3) Noah Smith's numbers as a wide receiver, 77 catches for 775 yards and six touchdowns, are certainly impressive this late in the year. What does he do well to get open so often, particularly given his size?
Noah is an athlete. He can do just about everything that Sam Houston asks of him and getting open is just one. His speed adds to it but it is his vision and the YAC that really help him.
4) Nicholas Vattiato was quick to praise linebacker Trevor Williams, who's been one of the key players on a savvy Bearkat defense this fall. Who are some of the other players Blue Raider fans should know from a defense that's kept Sam Houston in many games this fall?
Markel Perry is probably the next up. He is coming off an injury last season and hasn't been healthy for all the games this year. Kavion Gaither is another name that should be watched. Gaither came into his own last year after the redshirting approach last season. From his efforts, he earned a starting role and has made it count. Gaither has picked up a CUSA Defensive Player of the Week award and will be another strong suit for the Kats.
5) In a season finale for both programs looking to create momentum heading into the offseason, what do you anticipate being the keys for the Bearkats to pick up their third win as a member of Conference USA?
To me, it's just playing within themselves and not getting too far ahead. Sam Houston's offense has struggled at times but getting John Gentry back to nearly full health has been a big help. If the Kats want to dance one final time in the locker room, they need to play sound fundamental football and let things come to them rather than force plays that aren't there.
In a year where the other two programs in year two of their FCS-to-FBS transitions, James Madison and Jacksonville State, would be in line to play their way into conference title games if not for their transition rules barring them from immediate postseason eligibility, the Bearkats have had a much, much tougher season, entering Saturday afternoon's contest just 2-9 after opening the season on an eight game losing streak.
Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill cautioned folks not to read too much into the Bearkats record when judging their ability, however.
"Their overall record does not indicate how good this team is," Stockstill said. "This is not coach speak sitting up here talking about a 2-9 team. They've lost a bunch of games by one score. They've been in just about every game they've played."
Five of the Bearkats losses have come by one score, with two of those losses coming in overtime. Additionally, early season matchups Sam Houston held BYU to just 14 points and Air Force to just 13 points, before dropping those games in two-score contests. The Bearkats have been a tough out, even if the wins haven't come in bunches quite yet.
The flipside, of course, is equally as true. If not for a tight, 24-21 victory over future conference mate Kennesaw State and a pick-6 to ice the game on the road at LA Tech, the Bearkats could easily be looking for their first FBS victory heading into Saturday's 11 a.m. CT kickoff on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
MTSU can relate to that sentiment, having dropped five of their seven losses in one score games as well, but with two of their three conference wins coming in equally as close circumstances. But for the second Saturday in a row, Middle Tennessee will face a program that in 2023 will be playing for just pride at the end of the season. That fact hasn't diminished his team's focus, Stockstill said.
"We're fired up about this opportunity to finish out the season," Stockstill said. "Proud of our guys and how they've responded here the last three weeks of the season, would not expect anything different this week."
On the field, the Bearkats possess one of the better defenses in Conference USA, particularly when healthy. Their fourth best scoring defense has kept them in a plethora of games.
"They're not an easy unit to play," quarterback Nicholas Vattiato said, highlighting the play of linebacker Trevor Williams. "He flies around the ball, sideline-to-sideline, fitting gaps in the run game, getting coverage in the passing game, getting to his zones or if he has to match it back to man. He has so much responsibility on his plate, and he handles it so well."
Offensively, the Bearkats' depth moving up to the FBS has been tested, to mixed results, but wide receiver Noah Smith has been a star, leading the CUSA in receptions per game entering Saturday.
"He gets open, he catches the ball," safety Tra Fluellen said. "He's very good at catching the ball. He reminds a little bit of (MTSU WR Holden Willis) because Holden can catch any ball that comes his way."
To learn more about the Bearkats, GoBlueRaiders.com staff writer Sam Doughton chatted with Colton Foster, who covers Sam Houston while being the sports editor for the Bearkats' hometown newspaper, the Huntsville Item. Foster discussed the Bearkats transition, some of the injuries Sam Houston has dealt with, players to know and much more!
---
1) It was certainly a tough start to the Bearkats time in the FBS, with seven straight losses, a few in heartbreaking fashion, to open the season. But knowing the context, as well as after two wins late in the year, how do you assess where the Sam Houston program is heading after the transition period ends this weekend?
Sam Houston knew coming into this year that it would be tough, especially with the schedule they were dealt to open things up. While this season has seen a lot of downs, it hasn't phased this team as each day they continue to show up and practice each week like a loss never happened. With a full year now to recruit FBS-level talent and being able to get more experience under some of the underclassmen, the Kats are in a prime spot moving forward.
2) Keegan Shoemaker, outside of his excellent pooch punting skills, has had an up-and-down season at quarterback, but when he's on, it's clear Sam Houston can score some points. What are some keys for him to get going early for the Bearkats?
For Keegan, it is about playing free and making sure he can get the ball to his playmakers. Not having a healthy running back every week has put a lot of pressure on him to be the sole guy on the offense to make plays with opposing defenses knowing the Kats are on their seventh-string RB. After being benched, Shoemaker had a quicker release time and was able to find his receivers in space. With his legs being another asset his rolling out and running just helps his ability. His major keys will be getting the ball to Noah Smith and the other guys who can make plays with their legs.
3) Noah Smith's numbers as a wide receiver, 77 catches for 775 yards and six touchdowns, are certainly impressive this late in the year. What does he do well to get open so often, particularly given his size?
Noah is an athlete. He can do just about everything that Sam Houston asks of him and getting open is just one. His speed adds to it but it is his vision and the YAC that really help him.
4) Nicholas Vattiato was quick to praise linebacker Trevor Williams, who's been one of the key players on a savvy Bearkat defense this fall. Who are some of the other players Blue Raider fans should know from a defense that's kept Sam Houston in many games this fall?
Markel Perry is probably the next up. He is coming off an injury last season and hasn't been healthy for all the games this year. Kavion Gaither is another name that should be watched. Gaither came into his own last year after the redshirting approach last season. From his efforts, he earned a starting role and has made it count. Gaither has picked up a CUSA Defensive Player of the Week award and will be another strong suit for the Kats.
5) In a season finale for both programs looking to create momentum heading into the offseason, what do you anticipate being the keys for the Bearkats to pick up their third win as a member of Conference USA?
To me, it's just playing within themselves and not getting too far ahead. Sam Houston's offense has struggled at times but getting John Gentry back to nearly full health has been a big help. If the Kats want to dance one final time in the locker room, they need to play sound fundamental football and let things come to them rather than force plays that aren't there.
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