Blue Raiders look to stop Red Wolves

The Blue Raiders look to add to their unprecedented season Saturday at 3:30 p.m. as they host the Red Wolves of Arkansas State University at Floyd Stadium.

A win would give MT its best record in the program’s short Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1-A) existence.  The team’s best season came in 2006, when it finished the year 7-6 following a loss to Central Michigan University in the Motor City Bowl.

After a dominant second half last week against the University of Louisiana at Lafayete, the MT defense will look to continue its attack style against an offensive line that’s allowed 23 sacks season.

“We are an attacking, blitzing defense that plays multiple coverages,” head coach Rick Stockstill said. “We blitz from everywhere. Our defensive coaches deserve a lot of credit from how we come up with different schemes each week, but it is not all about coaches, it is about the players.”

Junior safety Jeremy Kellem is coming off a week where he accumulated two sacks, seven tackles and a forced fumble against a statistically better offensive line than the Blue Raiders will see Saturday.

Senior linebackers Cam Robinson and Danny Carmichael will look to have a big day against ASU’s o-line as well. Robinson finished the game last week with eight tackles and a sack.

MT will be challenged to prepare for two different quarterbacks, as the Red Wolves have made it clear that they are willing to start either freshman Ryan Aplin or senior Corey Leonard.

The main difference between the two is that Aplin represents a bigger running threat. He ran for 82 yards on 15 carries last week against Florida Atlantic University, including a 47-yard run.

Aplin was a consistent passer last week as well, completing 20 of 27 attempts for 168 yards and a touchdown in a loss to FAU.

Leonard was named to the Preseason All Sun Belt Second Team this year, and is regarded as a top quarterback in the conference. He is not as mobile as Aplin, but has thrown for 1,387 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

The Blue Raiders offense will look to continue its success running the ball against a defense allowing just 3.5 yards per carry.

The offensive line will have a tougher time creating holes for sophomore running back D.D. Kyles to run through.

Kyles has rushed for 100 yards for three straight weeks, including a 177-yard effort last week against UL.

“They are very physical up front,” junior offensive lineman Mark Fisher said. “Five of their front seven are pre-season all-conference. They are a very sound team.”

 “We have no less confidence in our throwing game than we do in our running game,” Stockstill said. “You would like to be able to run the ball effectively. Now we are pretty effective running and we do not have to throw as much, which balances us out more.”

If plays on the ground are ineffective, the Blue Raiders can feel confident about their passing attack.

The Red Wolves give up an average of 234 yards per game through the air, including 13 touchdowns. ASU also only has five interceptions as a team this season, which should give junior quarterback Dwight Dasher more deep throw possibilities when looking downfield.

While an eighth win would make the Blue Raiders even more appealing to bowls looking for at-large bids, the team insists it’s still more concerned about the Sun Belt Conference.

“It enhances your marketability and makes you more of an attractive team,” Stockstill said. ”But I do not know if winning eight gets you a bid more than winning seven. We want to get to eight to stay in the hunt for a conference championship.”

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