By Cameron Hunnicutt
MTSU Raider Shakedown Reporter
MURFREESBORO,
Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee State University Raiders football team held its
annual "Blue and White Spring Football Game" on April 19 in hopes of
getting a preview of where the team stands.
The
White team (defense) came out on top 44-27 due to four turnovers in a scoring
system that rewards defensive stops and takeaways. This is good news for a team
that ranked fifth nationally in turnovers.
“Our junior college linebacking core, Cavellis Luckett and Trey Wafford, fell into
our plan and our scheme pretty good and adapted well,” said Director of Player
Development Brent Brock. “A lot of times you worry about those kinds of guys
not adjusting to the new scheme when they’ve been in junior college the past
couple of years.”
Three
inexperienced scholarship quarterbacks are replacing Logan Kilgore, who
graduated as the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes last season.
Sophomore Quarterback Austin Grammer went eight of 11 passing for 125 yards and
one TD.
Redshirt
Freshman Quarterback AJ Erdely was eight of 16 for 85 yards. True freshman
Brent Stockstill, a Siegel High graduate, was eight of 16 for 54 yards and two
interceptions. Walk-on Quarterback Nolan Genovese threw the third pick of the
game.
The
three quarterbacks essentially finished the spring game in a tie, leaving Head
Coach Rick Stockstill unsure of a declared starter.
“There
were some shining moments as usual like anything, but we’ve got to clean up the
turnover deal, which we put an emphasis on, and a lot of that has to do with
inexperience,” said Brock. “It’s kind of a catch-22 situation also where your
defense is performing well and they’re very talented. Sometimes it creates some
poor decisions.”
Players
like redshirt seniors Patrick McNeil, Leighton Gasque, Isaiah Anderson and
linebacker Christian Henry are expected to step up and take leadership this
season.
“I
would have to say there are some underclassmen that are going to become leaders
and have begun to show leadership capabilities,” said Brock. “The quarterback
guy has always got to be that guy too.”
A
few key players were kept out of the scrimmage due to injuries or mishaps that
could jeopardize them long term.
Safety
Kevin Byard and Linebacker TT Barber only played in spurts to avoid severe
injuries. Four of the team’s top running backs missed all of spring due to injuries,
leaving walk-on players to carry most of the load. Wide receivers Christian
Collis (broken ankle) and Ed Batties (knee) did not participate in the
scrimmage.
Overall,
the team was able to walk away healthy without any self-inflicted injuries. The
Blue Raiders open summer camp Aug. 3 before hosting Savanna State on Aug. 30.
The list of opponents down the schedule are Minnesota, Western Kentucky,
Memphis, Old Dominion, Southern Miss., Marshall, UAB, BYU, Florida
International, Florida Atlantic, and U-TEP.
For more information on Blue Raiders football,
visit www.goblueraiders.com/section.cfm/sport/football.
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