The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TO continue our series in the build up toward the 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, Aldo Amato, who covers Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football for The Daily News Journal, offered his insight on the edge the team will have in the Christmas Eve matchup.

At the core of the Blue Raiders’ success is the tandem of redshirt freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill and true freshman All-American receiver Richie James.

Stockstill set a Conference USA record for most passing yards by a freshman with 3,678 yards.

James, his favourite target, set a school record for receptions with 100 and became the second player in school history to have over 1,000 receiving yards with 1,220. The duo is the first 3,000-yard passing and 1,000-yard receiving combo in school history.

The team also has a unique dynamic with the star quarterback Brent playing for his father Rick.

Amato said Brent has earned his position on the field and earned the respect as a leader.

“Coach Rick didn’t want to recruit his son, he wanted to avoid that dynamic. Brent committed to Cincinnati but he wanted to play for his dad all along. Once Brent got his release and came to MTSU he’s been more of like a second coach on the field. There has been no favouritism shown because he actually lost out on the competition last year, that’s why they redshirted him. The fact that he has shown he can play, run the offence and can run the team by himself has helped with that dynamic.

He’s his own player, they view him as the leader of the team and not just the coach’s son,” he said. “He’s always been a natural leader and had the physical abilities. He could have been the starter last year.

“He’s a game film junkie, so studying the playbook more has helped. He was ready last year. He’s going to be a coach one year and his ability to pick up on things is unrivaled.”

James was recently named a freshman All-American.

“That was a huge bonus having a playmaker like Richie James. He’s speedy, shifty and he’s smart. He played quarterback in high school so he understands route running and he adds a new wrinkle to the offence,” Amato said.

“Now they have their core to build on for the next three years. These are two key positions that they have locked down for the future.”

President of the University, Bahamian native Dr Sidney McPhee, was on-hand in the Blue Raiders locker room to officially notify the team of their opportunity.

Amato said it was clear all year that the Bahamian connection had the Blue Raiders on course for the Bahamas.

“There was no doubt at the beginning of the season that this was the goal,” he said. “One of the first things that came up is that if they became bowl eligible they were going to the Bahamas. It was pretty much a given all year. Once they hit the six-win mark there was no doubt they were going. Its been something that’s been known all year. That connection with Dr McPhee certainly helps.”

The Blue Raiders, 7-5 overall and 6-2 in Conference USA play, will come into the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl with a four-game win streak. The team set a school record for total offence yards with 5,504 as Middle Tennessee has over 5,000 offensive yards for the third consecutive season and the sixth time in school history.

In addition to Stockstill and James, Amato said the Bahamian public should be aware of the other playmakers on both sides of the ball. “They have two running backs, Jordan Tucker and Shane Parker who have been the lifeblood of the team. If they can play a big role it would be huge. Ed Batties is another key playmaker at receiver. He’s fast, not explosive but he’s extremely reliable. He ranks top 10 in the nation in receiving touchdowns so he’s a player he’ll look to find throughout the course of the game,” he said.

“It will be safety Kevin Byard’s final game. He’s a defensive playmaker, has a chance to break the school record for interceptions. There is also TT Barber who led the team in tackles and an underrated player who came on late is defensive end Chris Hale.”

Middle Tennessee has played several Power 5 conference schools over the course of the season and enters the game on a four-game winning streak

“The past four games has been the most consistent they have played this year,” Amato said. “They played those power 5 teams close. Western Michigan will not be an easy game so we could be looking at a situation where both teams score 40 points. If you’re looking at an advantage it’s just this team finally coming in being healthy.”

The 2015 Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl will mark the first meeting between Western Michigan and Middle Tennessee.