Preview: Q&A with AL.com’s Thomas Ashworth

Wednesday, October 23

Jacksonville, AL

6:30 PM

Middle Tennessee

Jacksonville State

10/22/2024 4:37:00 PM | Football

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The Yellowhammer State sports reporter chats about Jacksonville State’s hot start in CUSA

By: Sam Doughton, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The scouting report for a Rich Rodriguez led team hasn't changed much since the veteran head coach first came onto the scene over two decades ago at West Virginia: they're a tempo football team that's going to run the ball down your throat.

And while it's taken the 2024 Jacksonville State Gamecocks a little bit of time to find that identity this season, the blowout wins the Gamecocks have put together in their last three contests (44-7 over Southern Miss, 63-24 over Kennesaw State and 54-13 over New Mexico State) have left no question in Derek Mason's mind on what to expect when his Middle Tennessee football program kicks off Wednesday against Jax State at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

"What we know and understand is that it's going to be a physical game," Mason said. "We're not going to be surprised by the physicality of Jax State. They can run the football, they can also spread you out and push you down the field. Defensively, they've been opportunistic."

Led by a pair of "call up" transfers on offense, former Furman quarterback Tyler Huff and former Limestone running back Tre Stewart, Mason highlighted how the Gamecocks utilize the quarterback run to provide balance to the offense, the No. 1 scoring offense in all of CUSA at 39.33 points per game.

"He's been efficient throwing the football, but what he's been able to do as a runner has been pretty exceptional," Mason said of Huff. "They will make you work to play 11-man football. Whether you're in a single safety defense or a split safety defense, you have to account for the quarterback in terms of the run game."

Defensively, the Gamecocks' 15 total takeaways are ranked first in Conference USA and tied for eighth nationally, a marker of a defense that is aggressive up front and challenges opposing receivers on the outside, Mason said. Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato highlighted the need for MTSU's offense to not make things too complex against an aggressive defense.

"You've got to take what they give you," Vattiato said. "You've got to play fast, and you've obviously got to know that they're coming and they're going to be real physical."

Defensive end Anthony Bynum said the key to slowing down the tempo part of Rodriguez's scheme is to force the Gamecocks behind the chains early in the series, shutting down the ability for Jax State to go tempo. Easier said than done of course, but Bynum said his team understood the challenge ahead.

"It is pretty physical at the point of attack," Bynum said. "It's going to be a good matchup, but I like our team. I like our D-Line."

To learn more about the Gamecocks, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton reached out to Thomas Ashworth, who covers Jacksonville State among many other beats as a sports reporter for AL.com. Ashworth discusses Jax State's hot streak, standout players on both sides of the ball and some keys for the Gamecocks on Wednesday night.

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1. Early season losses made most around Conference USA assume Jacksonville State would take a step back in Year 2 of their CUSA era, but the start of conference play has shown the Gamecocks to perhaps be even more dangerous than they were a season ago. What do you think changed from September to October for Rich Rodriguez and the Gamecocks program? Is it just a matter of getting to face some of the weaker teams in the CUSA so far (Kennesaw State, New Mexico State)?

While Jax State has certainly found its groove, there's no question that there's been a huge dip in the strength of schedule compared to the first stretch; for reference, the last three opponents for Jax State are a combined 1-16 against FBS opponents. Still, even against Eastern Michigan in a double-overtime loss, the team showed plenty of improvement from the last two games and carried that into the blowout of Southern Miss. The defensive staff has completely turned a corner from a tough start, the offense looks a lot more comfortable and figured out and from the outside looking in, locker room culture has continued to be a strength of this group.

2. Furman transfer Tyler Huff has taken the reigns of Rodriguez's up-tempo offense at quarterback and made the most of his opportunity, showing the ability to threaten with his arm (24-for-34, 311 yards and two touchdowns vs Eastern Michigan) and his legs (15 carries for 176 yards and three touchdowns vs. Kennesaw State). How has he grown in the starting role as the season progressed?

Tyler Huff came into the program with just one year of eligibility left, so there was no true time he had to waste. The Furman transfer is one of the toughest pure players in Conference USA, and probably in college football, taking hits for extra yards and not being afraid to make runs. His elusiveness in the run game is something special, and while it's expected for a Rich Rod-coached quarterback to make plays on the ground, he's progressed more and more every game. His passing ability has proven to improve and improve, with his completion percentage only going up and his understanding of his receivers growing as he learns the offense more and more; like running back Tre Stewart, he didn't get the spring with the team and came in during the summer. Huff has quickly risen to be among the top offensive players in the Group of Five, and it's no surprise why.

3. Running back Tre Stewart, a transfer from Division II Limestone, is bursting onto the scene since CUSA play has started, running for over 100 yards against both Kennesaw State and New Mexico State. How has he asserted himself as the dominant back since transferring in and what are the traits that impress you most in his game?

Rich Rodriguez and his staff knew that when they brought in Tre Stewart he would have some of the biggest upsides on the team as soon as he got to work. Despite not being with the team in the spring, Stewart has shined in almost every situation he's been put in; he even caught a pass that he took for a touchdown against New Mexico State, which marked his first receiving touchdown of the season. When watching his film, the staff were drawn to his ability to create opportunities and get extra yards that may not have been there, with his size also fitting well in the Gamecocks' running back room with other capable backs who have also had success. There was no question whether Stewart would be a part of the offense in one way or another, but the way he's progressed so quickly and learned the tempo is because of both his hard work, which Rodriguez said he's impressed with, and how smart of a player he is.

4. It's clear from the stats on the defensive side that the Gamecocks are playing their best under new defensive coordinator Luke Olson when they're getting into the backfield for tackles for loss. Who's impressed you in the front seven so far this season and how has Olson and the defense turned things around after a tough start to the year?

There are a handful of players who have fared well on defense. The duo that's consistently impressed me is the linebacker tandem of Laletia Hale and Reginald Hughes. Hale, who has been with the program since the 2019 season, was primed to step up as a leader and has shined. He has three total tackles for loss in the last four games and is one of three players on the team with at least three pass breakups. Hughes, who transferred from Ole Miss, is tied for second on the team with Hale with 37 total tackles and currently leads the team in sacks (three), quarterback hurries (five), and tackles for loss (6.5).

5. Jax State clearly feels they have a team that can again be in contention for a CUSA title but need to take care of business at home prior to traveling to CUSA favorite Liberty next week. What do you think will be the biggest keys for the Gamecocks to play well and get the win against MTSU?

If Jax State continues to do what it's been doing, it should go their way. Producing and capitalizing on turnovers has been a strength for this team over the last few games, with the defense gaining 15 turnovers on the season; that number ranks atop CUSA and third nationally. While Anwar Lewis isn't expected to play, the run game still boasts the previously mentioned Tre Stewart and Georgia transfer Andrew Paul in the running back room, with Tyler Huff ranking second in the conference with 503 rushing yards. Third-down conversions have also been key in wins, with the Gamecocks converting 19 of their 36 third-down attempts (52.78% success rate).