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Gophers Game Preview: Middle Tennessee Offense Could Test Minnesota
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/416491?referrer_id=388419
PREGAME NOTES
Middle Tennessee (1-0 overall, 0-0 C-USA) at Minnesota (1-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
Thursday 2:30 p.m. CT – BTN
Following an impressive 42-20 victory over Eastern Illinois, the Gophers will look to continue to roll as they host Middle Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon. Although Minnesota is a two-touchdown betting favorite, the Maroon and Gold would be wise to not overlook this dangerous Blue Raiders squad.
Series History
Saturday’s contest will be the second-ever meeting between the Gophers and the Blue Raiders. Minnesota opened their 2010 season with a 24-17 victory over MTSU. Led by Jon Hoese’s three touchdowns, the Gophers put up 431 yards of offense in what turned out to be one of just three wins that season for Minnesota.
Last Season
Like the Gophers, the Blue Raiders are coming off of a successful 2013 campaign. Despite losing four of their first seven games, MTSU rallied and rattled off five straight victories to become bowl eligible. The Raiders were picked for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl where they were outmatched, 24-6 against Navy. MTSU would finish the season with an 8-5 overall record and 6-2 record in Conference USA.
Season to Date
Middle Tennessee opened its 100th season by stomping Savannah State 61-7. The Blue Raiders high-octane offense accounted for 519-yards and nine touchdowns. MT showcased a balanced offensive attack with nine running backs getting carries and five different players having receptions over 30 yards. Redshirt junior quarterback Austin Grammer was incredibly efficient in his first start, completing 15-of-17 passes (88.2%) for 250 yards and touchdown. The Raiders defense forced two fumbles and nabbed an inception while holding Savannah State to just 229 yards of offense.
Coaching Preview
Rick Stockstill is in his ninth season as the head coach of the Blue Raiders and is the longest tenured coach in C-USA. Despite owning just a 52-49 record, Stockstill has some impressive accomplishments at MT. During his career at the school, Middle Tennessee has made four bowl appearances—including a New Orleans Bowl win in 2009—won a league title, produced five all-Americans and had back-to-back eight-win seasons for the first time in 21 years. Stockstill’s teams have shown the ability to upset bigger programs, downing Maryland twice (2008 and 2009) and Georgia Tech (2012).
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota’s season opener ended in a victory but left the Gophers with three injured defensive linemen: Scott Ekpe, Yoshoub Timms, and Alex Keith.
“I always give an injury report,” said Jerry Kill at his weekly press conference. “However, it looks like pretty for sure that Scott Ekpe is done for the season. That's a major blow. But with that, the other two, they're not lost for the season and we'll see how this week progresses with them. That's where we're at with those injuries. We'll see how the week goes.”
When the injuries took place last game, three freshmen, Steven Richardson, Andrew Stelter, and Gaelin Elmore, stepped up and filled the void. Heading into Saturday’s contest, the biggest key for Minnesota will be the play of their relatively young and inexperienced defensive line against a Blue Raider offensive line that started a combined 33 games last season.
“Those [freshmen], we don't have any other choice,” said Tracy Claeys. “Throw them in there, they're more than capable of getting it done. Just got to get them in the right spots and teach them what to do.”
MTSU will be starting quarterback Austin Grammer this week, marking just his second career start. In the season opener, Grammer was impressive leading the offense. The Blue Raiders were so dominant against Savannah State that there are likely wrinkles to the offense that the Gophers will not be able to prepare for on film.
“I'm sure they didn't have to show everything that they're doing,” said Claeys. “They were pretty simple the other night in what they did. They just executed really well, scored a lot of points. It will be interesting to see what else they do.”
Luckily, the Gophers will return defensive end Michael Amaefula on Saturday, which should contribute to the pass rush. One thing is certain, if the young Gopher line can get in Grammer’s face early and throw off his timing and rhythm that he enjoyed last week, it will pay dividends as the game goes on.
Players to Watch
No. 25 Reggie Whatley – Middle Tennessee boasts a deep corps of running backs. Leading the group is the 5-foot-7, 179-pound Whatley, who scampered for 65 yards on just nine carries last week. The senior also had a 66-yard run called back due to penalty. Whatley, who averaged over 6.5 yards per carry last year, is a dangerous player who can end it in a hurry if he gets a crease.
No. 20 Kevin Byard – The 5-foot-11, 216-pound tank of a safety is an imposing force on the back end of the Raiders’ secondary. The junior is credited with 181 tackles and has been a ball hawk during his career, nabbing nine interceptions coming into the season. Byard, who picked off another pass last game, is now tied for seventh in program history with 10. The school record is 17.
Background
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Enrollment: 24,192
Conference: Conference USA
Nickname: Blue Raiders
Colors: Royal Blue and White
Coach: Rick Stockstill (9th Season)
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/416491?referrer_id=388419
PREGAME NOTES
Middle Tennessee (1-0 overall, 0-0 C-USA) at Minnesota (1-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
Thursday 2:30 p.m. CT – BTN
Following an impressive 42-20 victory over Eastern Illinois, the Gophers will look to continue to roll as they host Middle Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon. Although Minnesota is a two-touchdown betting favorite, the Maroon and Gold would be wise to not overlook this dangerous Blue Raiders squad.
Series History
Saturday’s contest will be the second-ever meeting between the Gophers and the Blue Raiders. Minnesota opened their 2010 season with a 24-17 victory over MTSU. Led by Jon Hoese’s three touchdowns, the Gophers put up 431 yards of offense in what turned out to be one of just three wins that season for Minnesota.
Last Season
Like the Gophers, the Blue Raiders are coming off of a successful 2013 campaign. Despite losing four of their first seven games, MTSU rallied and rattled off five straight victories to become bowl eligible. The Raiders were picked for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl where they were outmatched, 24-6 against Navy. MTSU would finish the season with an 8-5 overall record and 6-2 record in Conference USA.
Season to Date
Middle Tennessee opened its 100th season by stomping Savannah State 61-7. The Blue Raiders high-octane offense accounted for 519-yards and nine touchdowns. MT showcased a balanced offensive attack with nine running backs getting carries and five different players having receptions over 30 yards. Redshirt junior quarterback Austin Grammer was incredibly efficient in his first start, completing 15-of-17 passes (88.2%) for 250 yards and touchdown. The Raiders defense forced two fumbles and nabbed an inception while holding Savannah State to just 229 yards of offense.
Coaching Preview
Rick Stockstill is in his ninth season as the head coach of the Blue Raiders and is the longest tenured coach in C-USA. Despite owning just a 52-49 record, Stockstill has some impressive accomplishments at MT. During his career at the school, Middle Tennessee has made four bowl appearances—including a New Orleans Bowl win in 2009—won a league title, produced five all-Americans and had back-to-back eight-win seasons for the first time in 21 years. Stockstill’s teams have shown the ability to upset bigger programs, downing Maryland twice (2008 and 2009) and Georgia Tech (2012).
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota’s season opener ended in a victory but left the Gophers with three injured defensive linemen: Scott Ekpe, Yoshoub Timms, and Alex Keith.
“I always give an injury report,” said Jerry Kill at his weekly press conference. “However, it looks like pretty for sure that Scott Ekpe is done for the season. That's a major blow. But with that, the other two, they're not lost for the season and we'll see how this week progresses with them. That's where we're at with those injuries. We'll see how the week goes.”
When the injuries took place last game, three freshmen, Steven Richardson, Andrew Stelter, and Gaelin Elmore, stepped up and filled the void. Heading into Saturday’s contest, the biggest key for Minnesota will be the play of their relatively young and inexperienced defensive line against a Blue Raider offensive line that started a combined 33 games last season.
“Those [freshmen], we don't have any other choice,” said Tracy Claeys. “Throw them in there, they're more than capable of getting it done. Just got to get them in the right spots and teach them what to do.”
MTSU will be starting quarterback Austin Grammer this week, marking just his second career start. In the season opener, Grammer was impressive leading the offense. The Blue Raiders were so dominant against Savannah State that there are likely wrinkles to the offense that the Gophers will not be able to prepare for on film.
“I'm sure they didn't have to show everything that they're doing,” said Claeys. “They were pretty simple the other night in what they did. They just executed really well, scored a lot of points. It will be interesting to see what else they do.”
Luckily, the Gophers will return defensive end Michael Amaefula on Saturday, which should contribute to the pass rush. One thing is certain, if the young Gopher line can get in Grammer’s face early and throw off his timing and rhythm that he enjoyed last week, it will pay dividends as the game goes on.
Players to Watch
No. 25 Reggie Whatley – Middle Tennessee boasts a deep corps of running backs. Leading the group is the 5-foot-7, 179-pound Whatley, who scampered for 65 yards on just nine carries last week. The senior also had a 66-yard run called back due to penalty. Whatley, who averaged over 6.5 yards per carry last year, is a dangerous player who can end it in a hurry if he gets a crease.
No. 20 Kevin Byard – The 5-foot-11, 216-pound tank of a safety is an imposing force on the back end of the Raiders’ secondary. The junior is credited with 181 tackles and has been a ball hawk during his career, nabbing nine interceptions coming into the season. Byard, who picked off another pass last game, is now tied for seventh in program history with 10. The school record is 17.
Background
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Enrollment: 24,192
Conference: Conference USA
Nickname: Blue Raiders
Colors: Royal Blue and White
Coach: Rick Stockstill (9th Season)
