If this week's point of emphasis for Middle Tennessee football wasn't obvious after Saturday, it was certainly apparent after Rick Stockstill's game week press conference ahead of Western Kentucky's trip down to Murfreesboro this Saturday.
Facing an explosive passing attack from the Hilltoppers that averages over 40 points a game, Stockstill's message to his defense after two tough weekends in losses to UTSA and UAB was simple.
"We've got to do a better job of keeping the ball in front of us," Stockstill said. "We've got to do a better job of getting their skill guys down."
MTSU's defensive metrics, both advanced and conventional, have plummeted since the start of conference play, with explosive plays from the Roadrunners and Blazers putting the Blue Raiders on their back foot early the past two weeks, leading to a more limited offensive playbook down the stretch in each game. WKU, who has four different receivers with a catch of at least 47-yards this year, will certainly be looking to continue that trend on Saturday.
Like the Blue Raiders, however, the Hilltoppers are licking their wounds from two straight losses, a 34-27 loss at home to Troy and a 31-28 loss to UTSA in the Alamodome, which gave MTSU plenty of tape to see what the Trojans and Roadrunners did well to contain the offensive firepower under new quarterback Austin Reed, who's already tossed 19 touchdowns through six games after transferring in from Division II power West Florida.
"The big thing was they kept the ball in front of them," Stockstill said of Troy and UTSA. "When you score a lot of points, a lot of the time it's the result of explosive plays. Western Kentucky had a handful, but for the most part Troy and San Antonio did a good job of keeping the ball in front of them. That's the one thing, the obvious thing, that stood out."
Saturday's contest will also serve as MTSU's homecoming game for the 2022 season and will lead into the Blue Raider's open date the week following. The 2:30 p.m. kickoff will be carried by ESPN+ as well as the Blue Raider Radio Network.
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