2008 Woodie Awards
MT opens season with Battle for the Palladium
Blue Raiders looks for first victory of '08 and to avenge last season's 45-7 loss against Trojans
Chris Martin
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: Sports
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Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill, who is working with a team that will return less than half its starters from a year ago, said he's looking forward to the home opener against the Trojans.
"We are excited about this season," Stockstill said. "I'm very pleased with our team and the way we have practiced, especially the last four or five days. Our sense of urgency and practice tempo has really picked up."
The last time the Blue Raiders met the Trojans, Troy handily defeated MT 45-7 on its home turf in MT's last game of the season.
"I hate how that game ended last year against Troy, so I'm very excited about this opportunity," MT senior defensive tackle Trevor Jenkins said.
The Trojans will look very different from the team that destroyed the Blue Raiders a year ago. Gone from last year's squad is 2007 SBC Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Omar Haugabook, as well as six other players who made either the All-SBC first or second team.
"We have a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball," Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. "We also have a new quarterback, so we will have to see how we play."
Taking Haugabook's place will be sophomore Jamie Hampton. Hampton has thrown only 11 passes in his short collegiate career. However, MT players are not quick to dismiss Troy based on its quarterback's lack of experience.
"I don't know anything about [Hampton], and it really doesn't matter," Jenkins said. "They are going to come out and do what they do. If you are not ready for this game, you are not in the right business because this sets the tone for the whole season."
In the first quarter, Blue Raider fans will finally find out who will be MT's starting quarterback. Last season, senior Joe Craddock and sophomore Dwight Dasher both started six games and have been battling all summer for the No. 1 spot. Stockstill has said that he doesn't intend to name a starter before the game.
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