The 6’ 5” Terry Pettis gained 160 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 4 receptions against Charlotte on Sept. 19. Photos courtesy goblueraiders.com.
One point Coach Stock has driven home all season is that it is never about the opponent, but it’s about the team. Saturday night, Sept. 19, it was all about the Blue Raiders. In the 73-14 rout over C-USA (and FBS) newcomer Charlotte, the MT offense produced 695 total yards. Considering the production, it was difficult to pick one star for the offense.
Was it running back Jordan Parker, who broke out for 146 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries? Was it wide receiver-turned-tight end Terry Pettis, who caught four passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns? Was it wide receiver Ed Batties, netting 120 yards on five receptions while adding three touchdowns to his early season total? Was it quarterback Brent Stockstill, who completed 23 of his 27 attempts for 367 yards and five touchdowns? Maybe it was the offensive line.
“I give all the credit to the O-line, because there were definitely some huge gaps to run through.” Parker said. And if you asked Stockstill, he’d give all the credit to the line as well, providing him with the time to patiently make his reads. This is a line that is down by two projected starters from the spring, one of which is a pre-season Conference USA first-teamer.
QB Brent Stockstill
The defensive star was no question, however. Cornerback Jeremy Cutrer had a coming-out party against Charlotte, pulling down two interceptions and securing a fumble recovery. Cutrer also had two pass deflections on the night, both of which should have been interceptions.
There had been some concern amongst the coaches that Cutrer, a former LSU commit, hadn’t gotten enough practice with the team, and that his transition from FCS would carry with it a large learning curve. However, that curve is starting to fade.
“I’ve learned a lot of the plays now,” Cutrer said. “Once you learn those plays, you can play your speed, and you can play how you want to play.”
Cutrer also drew the praise of his partner in the secondary, Kevin Byard.
“Jeremy, in my opinion, is the best cornerback in Conference USA,” said Byard. “I think he’s going to lead Conference USA in interceptions this year. It feels good to know that one side of the field is locked down. I think (opponents) are going to have to stop throwing the ball to the boundary. They’ll have to change something up,” noted Byard, “because when me and Jeremy are on the same side of the field nothing is getting complete, especially deep.”
It was a near-complete game for MT. The offense and defense fed off of each other, and the only real miscues came on special teams by way of a few subpar punts and a couple of bad kickoffs. A few milestones were set for MTSU Saturday: most points in a quarter, most points in a half, and most points scored in the Stockstill era. Charlotte came into this game as the No. 1-ranked defense in Conference USA, and left Murfreesboro as the ninth-ranked defense in the conference. It is safe to say that Charlotte’s first taste of C-USA football was not pleasing to their palates.
Jordan Parker carries the ball
But nothing should be taken away from MT based on the opponent. Charlotte is, after all, a mid-major conference talent, and, as Coach Stockstill commented, “Forty-two points in one quarter is the most that’s ever been done (at MTSU). That’s really incredible no matter who you play.”
Even so, Stockstill and the Blue Raiders are putting last Saturday’s success behind them and preparing for this Saturday’s trip to Champaign to take on Illinois of the Big Ten.
The Fighting Illini have proven to possess a dangerous and balanced attack. Junior quarterback Wes Lunt is in his second season with Illinois after transferring from Oklahoma State, and Coach Stockstill refers to him as a “prolific, pro-type quarterback.”
Lunt is supported by a game-breaking, versatile running back in Josh Ferguson. Ferguson is averaging over five yards per carry in 47 attempts in three games, and he broke out for a 52-yarder. Ferguson has been plenty of help in the passing game as well, entering this week with 73 yards on nine receptions.
The Blue Raiders will also be tasked with keeping their offensive magic alive against a team that ranks in the Top 20 nationally in yards allowed.
This one is slated to kick off Saturday, Sept. 26, at 3 p.m. and can be seen on ESPNews.
Byard Tracker
Kevin didn’t get much opportunity to make progress on his career numbers against Charlotte. KB was called for a questionable targeting penalty early in the second half against Alabama, and was therefore suspended for the first half of the Charlotte game as well. Byard only played in the third quarter of the blowout victory, seeing the field on just four defensive series.
However, KB still made an impact in his absence. Byard sported a coach’s headset on the sidelines through the first half, and served as somewhat of a safeties coach.
Look for Byard to be even hungrier than usual this Saturday against Illinois. With their potent passing game, KB is certain to see his fair share of opportunities.
