Posts Tagged ‘middle tennessee’

After leading his team to a 20-12 victory over South Alabama on Saturday, Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill triggered a $100,000 raise and contract extension through July 2019. 

Stockstill's contract, signed in 2009, mandates a $100,000 raise and an additional year added to his contract by meeting the three following benchmarks: an APR of 940 or higher, no major NCAA infractions and an overall winning record or five Sun Belt wins. With that clause, Stockstill can add a total of five years and $500,000 to his contract. 

The win moved the Blue Raiders to 7-3 on the season (5-1 in Sun Belt play) and, with two more games and the possibility of a Sun Belt championship on the horizon, Stockstill's salary could reach $725,000 this year.

“Nobody thought we could do what we’ve done this year,” Stockstill told the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal. “I think everybody picked us seventh or eighth (in the Sun Belt). With two weeks to go, we are still in first. I’m very proud of this team. I love this team.”

In his seventh season at Middle Tennessee, Stockstill is 42-43 overall and is in pursuit of his second conference title and fourth bowl bid. 

Five total games on the schedule tonight. We've highlighted what stands out about three of the matchups.

Eastern Michigan at Ohio (6 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

Simply put, this game is a mismatch for head coach Ron English and the Eagles. Eastern Michigan enters the game at 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the MAC, while Ohio stands at 7-1 overall and 3-1 in league play. The Bobcats suffered their first loss of the season last week against Miami (Ohio), 23-20. 

In the Eagles' win, quarterback Tyler Benz threw for 369 yards and five touchdowns. The Bobcats gave up 311 passing yards in last week's loss, so Eastern Michigan's best chance at pulling the upset seems to be through the air. Another place the Eagles can victimize Ohio is in the red zone. Frank Solich's bunch places 113th nationally in red zone defense, allowing opposing offenses to score 22 times in 24 trips. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan has produced points in 14 times in 16 trips, including 10 touchdowns.

Virginia Tech at Miami (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Miami enters tonight in first place of the ACC Coastal Division despite carrying an overall three-game losing streak. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, has lost four of its past six games. Needless to say, both teams are desperate for a W.

Miami has struggled mightily on defense, ranking 11th or lower in the ACC in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. For Frank Beamer's team there has been a large defensive dichotomy between wins in losses. In the Hokies' four wins they have held opponents to 11 points per game, but in their four losses that number jumps to 37 points per game. 

The Hokies are Thursday night veterans as tonight will be their 25th appearance on ESPN's Thursday Night Football. They have won 19 of their previous 24 appearances. Tonight is their first of two straight Thursday night games; Florida State heads to Blacksburg next week. Virginia Tech is also 25-2 in November as a member of the ACC. 

Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky (9:15 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

For what it's worth, this game was unanimously named the best matchup of the night among the FootballScoop staff. Both groups carry 3-1 Sun Belt records; WKU is 6-2 overall and MTSU is 5-3.

In Western Kentucky's lone Sun Belt loss, a 43-42 overtime setback to ULM, the Hilltoppers still managed to win the box score. Willie Taggart's team outgained the Warhawks by 64 yards, converted 11-of-17 third downs while holding ULM to 5-of-14, achieved seven more first downs, split the turnover battle and held nearly a 20-minute edge in time of possession.

Rick Stockstill's team has posted 40 points per game in its five wins, but less than 14 points per game in its three defeats. That's potentially a telling statistic as Middle Tennessee braces to face the Sun Belt's best defense. WKU leads the conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. The Hilltoppers have also posted more sacks and tackles for loss than anyone in the Sun Belt.