Middle Tenn Blue Raiders

Head Coach

Rick Stockstill	3rd year
07-08	5-7
Sun Belt	4-3
FCR	82

Previous Season Wins

Sun Belt Previews –by Tom Farrelly

Head Coach - At Middle Tennessee Rick Stockstill will be entering his third year and with only a conference low eigth starters returning he’ll have his work cut out as he’s tries to return the Blue Raiders to their winning ways. They finished 4-3 in conference a year ago but were done in by injuries; they cannot suffer the same fate again as the lack the depth to overcome it.

Quarterback - The Blue Raiders return a solid duo at quarterback in sophomore Dwight Dasher and senior Joe Craddock, split time last year and will do the same once again. The numbers were good as they combined for 2,407 yards with 21 TD’s ad only 8 interceptions, in addition Dasher provides an excellent dual-threat option as he gained 674 yards on the ground and scored three times.

Running Backs - Look for a similar situation at running back as junior Desmond Gee and junior Phillip Tanner will both get plenty of touches. Gee and Tanner combined for 524 yards rushing with 4 TD’s and added 35 receptions for 447 yards and four scores. Gee is undersized and will have to prove he can handle the load while Tanner is the bigger of the two but has excellent speed but struggled with injuries last year. When Middle Tennessee goes with the fullback look for sophomore Jacob Longoria to get the call.

Receivers - On the outside only junior Patrick returns, he caught 28 passes for 328 yards and one TD, look for Honeycutt to get more opportunities this fall as the Blue Raiders seek a go to receiver. Junior Michael Cannon will also start on the outside and sophomore Wes Caldwell and JUCO Eldred King will be in the mix. At tight end is Alvin Ingle who has the skills to be a factor in the attack this year.

Offensive Line - Upfront they must replace three starters as only sophomores Mark Thompson at left tackle and Jamal Lewis at left guard return. Looking to fill the holes this fall will be a pair of redshirt freshman Mike Williams at the right tackle and Jake Padrick at center, along with sophomore Chris Hawkins at right guard. The O-Lines play this fall will go a long way in determining the teams’ ultimate success.

Defensive Line - There will be two new defensive ends this year as senior Wes Hofacker will move to the outside and junior Chris McCoy will join him following a solid spring performance. In the middle at the tackle are senior Trevor Jenkins and sophomore Dwight Smith. Jenkins is underrated run stopper who’ll lead the unit. Add into the mix junior Brandon Perry who’s a big body who missed the 07’ season but if healthy it’ll be a big plus.

Linebackers - The linebackers are set with junior Danny Carmichael in the middle and seniors Andrew Harrington on the strongside and Ivon Hickmon and Lonnie Clemmons on the weakside. Lots of experience, Clemons and Harrington combined for 100 tackles and with holes in front and behind they’ll be asked to do a lot this fall.

Defensive Backs - Junior Alex Suber returns at one corner and he’ll be joined by sophomore Rod Issac, Suber is the teams leading returning tackler with 59 and will be one of the top corner men in the Sun Belt this season. Senior Anthony Glover will start at strong safety and sophomore Jeremy Kellem will man the free safety, look for Kellem to build on his freshman performance and contend for post season honors.

Special Teams - The coaches hope that freshman Alan Gendreau can be the placekicker junior David DeFatta can be exclusively the teams punter this fall. DeFatta averaged 40.9 yards and had 28 of his punts inside the 20. It’s an excellent return group with Desmond Gee, Phillip Tanner and freshman D.D. Kyles handling the kick and punt returns for the Blue Raiders this season.

Schedule - Tough start for a inexperienced squad as they get Troy and Maryland at home and then travel to Kentucky. They have only five home games and won’t get their first home win until November. It’s going to a tough season at Middle Tennessee as they struggle out of the gate and take a step back this fall and win only 2 games this fall.