The MTSU defense converges for a gang tackle in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Photos courtesy goblueraiders.com
The Blue Raiders return to Floyd Stadium this weekend after a road trip to Alabama, and this one should be a priority on your Saturday to-do list. It’s Family Weekend at MTSU and there is all kinds of fun for the family at The Grove just hours before kick-off. Not only that, but the Blue Raiders will also have a very special team captain present at the opening coin toss. In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Colton Sheets, a local boy battling leukemia, will serve as honorary captain for MT. The Blue Raiders hope to get back on the right track after a discouraging trip last Saturday to Tuscaloosa.
Things started out pretty well Sept. 12 vs. Alabama. MT forced the Crimson Tide offense off the field on the first possession of the game. However, that success was quickly followed by an MT turnover which would be a foreshadowing for the Blue Raiders offense. The MT offense showed momentum at times, but it seemed any time they would get clicking a turnover stopped them cold in their tracks. Alabama forced the MT offense into four turnovers, three of those being fumbles, en route to a 37-10 victory for the Tide.
Blue Raider receiver Richie James
It wasn’t all bad for MTSU, however. Richie James again proved to be a budding star, catching 10 balls for 95 yards on what might be the biggest stage he’ll play in the foreseeable future. The MTSU front seven broke through to apply pressure multiple times. T.T. Barber, part of that front seven, racked up seven tackles, with six of those being solo. The MT defense limited Alabama to only three third-down conversions, and transfer CB Jeremy Cutrer showed continued improvement with a 77-yard interception return.
Perhaps the greatest victory in the defeat was the play of the offensive line. They allowed no sacks against Alabama. Considering that Nick Saban has said this year’s Tide front seven is the best he’s ever had, which is saying quite a bit, that is an incredible feat for the MT O-line to achieve. Even more impressive is the play of this line with a starting true freshman at left tackle, and without All-C-USA guard Darius Johnson.
Yet, Coach Stockstill isn’t going to call this a moral victory.
“I believe you can lose the right way. We lost to Alabama, but we didn’t do the things you have to do to win a game. We played extremely hard, we competed, we played really good in a lot of areas, individual players played really good in a lot of areas,” he said.
This weekend, the Blue Raiders will take on the newest member of the FBS and C-USA, the Charlotte 49ers. This is the first year of FBS football for the 49ers, and just their third overall. The 49ers seemingly fit right in with their new surroundings, as they bring the same high-powered offense typified by Conference USA teams. Running back Kalif Phillips rushed for over 1,400 yards in FCS play last year, and has averaged 5.3 yards per carry in reduced work so far. Wide receiver Austin Duke has picked up where he left off. Duke caught 79 passes for more than 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and in just two games he has 16 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Duke also is a track star for Charlotte, so he will flash as much speed as MTSU is likely to see this season.
The 49ers have been surprisingly good on defense so far this season as well. One of the worst defenses in FCS last season, they have since brought in a new defensive coordinator. The defense has seemingly turned a 180, leading all C-USA teams in most defensive statistical categories through two games.
Running back Shane Tucker
Considering the youth of the program, one may think that this one is a “gimme” game, but Charlotte cannot be overlooked. This is a team that is looking to shed the stigma of being the proverbial new kid in class. They’ve already logged their first FBS win in week one, and are riding a four-game win streak, going back to last season. The 49ers will look to add another first to their resume by notching their first C-USA win against MT. On top of that, they have dedicated this season to their O-line coach, Phil Ratliff, who met his untimely and tragic death in August.
There has been a lot of talk about MT having a chip on their shoulder this season, but it looks like Charlotte has an awful large one of their own. Yet, Coach Stock isn’t at all intimidated or worried by that.
“Their chip isn’t as big as ours. It doesn’t matter who we play, we have something to prove everyday, every practice, every game. It doesn’t matter how big their chip is, it’s about us, and we’ll be ready to play this game, I promise you that.”
Kevin Byard chases down the ball carrier in the Sept. 12 game
Byard Tracker
Kevin Byard logged his first interception of the season Saturday. This puts him solely in the lead for career interceptions amongst active FBS players, and just two behind the MTSU team record. The interception was made in the end zone, however, so KB was unable to make progress toward the NCAA career interception return yards record.
“It’s a great feeling,” Byard said. “Going into the season my goal was to beat out the interceptions I had last year, so it’s just a start. I feel like it’s just hard work paying off.”
However, it’s a bittersweet feeling, as the interception came in a loss that saw Byard ejected from the game early in the second half.
Why was KB ejected? As the Alabama quarterback scrambled across the line of scrimmage Byard made the stop, but he was flagged for targeting, a penalty that, by rule, leads to immediate ejection. The players’ helmets collided, but was it really targeting?
“I was just coming in trying to make a form tackle, and the quarterback slid late. I think it was a bang-bang play. I didn’t feel like it should’ve been a targeting call, but I have to live with it,” Byard recounted.
Since KB was ejected in the second half, he will be ineligible for the first half of Saturday’s game against Charlotte.
