The Matchup: FAU (3-8, 2-5) vs. Middle Tennessee (7-4, 4-3)


When: Saturday, November 26th, 5:30 PM

Where: Floyd Stadium

Weather: Current conditions at Floyd Stadium

The Series: Blue Raiders lead 10-3, and the Owls have not won in the last eight tries.

Blue Raider Team Site: Here





Game Information

TV: beIN

Live Video: None

Radio: ESPN 106.3

Stats: Here

Opening Line: FAU +12.5

Just interested to see if we get the three-peat on 3-9 W/L records.

Notables from MTSU Head Coach Rick Stockstill's FAU Presser:

On Florida Atlantic

"You guys are going to look at their record and think they aren't very good. They are 3-8 and have lost four games by one possession. If you look at us, we have won four games by one possession. This is a good football team coming in here. They have had some close losses. Don't determine how good this team is by looking at their record. They have won two of the last three games. This game over the history of these two schools, at least since I have been here, has always been a close game, especially the last three or four. It's a good team. Any time you play a Florida Atlantic, FIU, or teams from Texas, they are going to be very athletic. They can run at every position. Their big guys on both sides of the ball are athletic and can run. This is going to be a very talented team coming in that we will have to play very well. Where we are right now — we're disappointed in our ball security. We've turned the ball over 10 times in the last 11 quarters, and we have only gotten two turnovers. We are not doing a very good job protecting the ball, and we are not doing a good job in getting take-aways. We lost the turnover ball at Charlotte 2-0. When you lose the turnover ball, usually the games are close and have a hard time winning. That was a close game last week because of that. We've got to worry about us, focus on us and what we can control. We need to improve on this last regular season game. That's where we are right now."
 

On watching FAU quarterback Jason Driskel on tae

"I've seen tape. We started watching it yesterday and watched some this morning. He's a good player. When he came in last year in the games he played, he was very productive. I think he has gotten better, especially the last month of the season. I know they are playing two guys little bit in there with (Daniel) Parr at quarterback. They are both playing some. He's a good player. I think he can make all the throws. He's not a real dynamic runner, but he can buy time and get outside the pocket to make some things happen with his feet. He has really improved. He's a good football player and we have to understand he is very talented and can beat us."
 

On facing FAU defensive end Trey Hendrickson

"He's a really good player. He's an effort player. He plays with effort and has a great motor. He plays on both sides of the ball. They will put him in on short-yardage and goal line situations.  That tells you what kind of team player he is. Our offensive line has got to play with the same mental intensity and toughness that they played with last week. Anytime you play against a player who is as talented as he is, it's always a great motivating factor and challenge that I know our offensive line will look forward to. You like to compete against good players. He's definitely a good player that our entire team and offensive line will enjoy competing against."
 

On FAU running backs Gregory "Buddy" Howell and Devin Singletary

"Buddy Howell has been there a few years now. He's a tough, hard-nose runner. He's physical. They both have good speed. We have to tackle well. We've got to be in good fundamental positions to make tackles. If you are not, he has the strength and speed to break tackles and extend the play. They are both good players. This time of the year, you're going to face good players. We faced a good back last week at Charlotte. They had the top rushing offense in the conference, and we tackled better last week than we did the previous week. We have to continue that defensively."


On slowing down FAU's rushing attack

"We have to fit the run consistently. Last week our defensive line dominated, and that allows lanes to be open for linebackers to make plays."

NorthOwl said

Just interested to see if we get the three-peat on 3-9 W/L records.

Posted On: Nov 21st 2016, 1:46 PM #362724

I know what you mean. 3-9? Or 4-8? Regardless, we're concluding another dreadful season. The regime will be 9-27 (.250) or 10-26 (.278). I just don't know. Perhaps that's good enough for FAU. In any case, I feel bad for the players who are trying. They deserve better.

As for the fans: I haven't seen anyone asking for a win-at-all-costs program. But it would be nice to have a winning season once in a while.

As a fan and a former season ticket holder (last year), this year was extremely disappointing.  I can't imagine how disappointed the players, coaches and AD are.  It seems as though the offense made a little progress during the season, but the defense needs so much work.  It was embarrassing on Saturday how ODU knew they had 4 downs to make a first, and how they even went on 4th down not real close to the goal line.   There was absolutely no respect for the defense.  So many missed tackles too.  I hope this changes by the time Navy comes to town.

Owlguin said

As a fan and a former season ticket holder (last year), this year was extremely disappointing.  I can't imagine how disappointed the players, coaches and AD are.  It seems as though the offense made a little progress during the season, but the defense needs so much work.  It was embarrassing on Saturday how ODU knew they had 4 downs to make a first, and how they even went on 4th down not real close to the goal line.   There was absolutely no respect for the defense.  So many missed tackles too.  I hope this changes by the time Navy comes to town.

Posted On: Nov 22nd 2016, 12:46 PM #362764

That Navy game is just funny to think about. Navy will have 550 yards rushing against us.

DeltAlumnus said

Owlguin said

As a fan and a former season ticket holder (last year), this year was extremely disappointing.  I can't imagine how disappointed the players, coaches and AD are.  It seems as though the offense made a little progress during the season, but the defense needs so much work.  It was embarrassing on Saturday how ODU knew they had 4 downs to make a first, and how they even went on 4th down not real close to the goal line.   There was absolutely no respect for the defense.  So many missed tackles too.  I hope this changes by the time Navy comes to town.

Posted On: Nov 22nd 2016, 12:46 PM #362764

That Navy game is just funny to think about. Navy will have 550 yards rushing against us.

Posted On: Nov 22nd 2016, 1:28 PM #362765

If we give Charlie another year the fan base will continue to shrink then we will come out and go 0-2 as we open against Navy and at Wisconsin then what will be left of the fan base?

I'm a bit biased because of how poorly FAU treats the northern campuses, but after looking at the finances, it's pretty clear to me FAU has no real reason to care about ticket sales as sales only covers 6% of their athletics budget. No one could go to the games and their costs are salaries are covered.

DeltAlumnus said

Owlguin said

As a fan and a former season ticket holder (last year), this year was extremely disappointing.  I can't imagine how disappointed the players, coaches and AD are.  It seems as though the offense made a little progress during the season, but the defense needs so much work.  It was embarrassing on Saturday how ODU knew they had 4 downs to make a first, and how they even went on 4th down not real close to the goal line.   There was absolutely no respect for the defense.  So many missed tackles too.  I hope this changes by the time Navy comes to town.

Posted On: Nov 22nd 2016, 12:46 PM #362764

That Navy game is just funny to think about. Navy will have 550 yards rushing against us.

Posted On: Nov 22nd 2016, 1:28 PM #362765

In the first half.

Not after we change to Roc's new 4/4/6 scheme.