Team: Middle Tennessee State
Conference: Conference USA (This is the third of four games Liberty will play against a C-USA team)
Game Date: October 9 (Week 6)
Location: Williams Stadium – Lynchburg, Virginia
Game History: Liberty and MTSU met once in 1982. The Blue Raiders won 27-7.

Coach – Rick Stockstill

Middle Tennessee has only known one head coach since 2006: Rick Stockstill. He is the fifth longest tenured coach in college football. In that time, he has amassed a 94-92 record and played in eight bowl games. He also earn Coach of the Year honors in 2018 behind MTSU’s East Division title and C-USA Championship appearance.

2020 Record: 3-6. Middle Tennessee had three games canceled during the season due to COVID protocols.

2021 Outlook:

MTSU has seen its share of struggles over the last few years including a couple of finishes near the bottom for C-USA. Offensively, it has been mediocre at best. They averaged 135 yards on the ground and 230 yards through the air (actually tied with Liberty), placing them in the middle of the FBS pack. New NC State transfer QB Bailey Hockman will add a much needed boost to an offense that has struggled at the position since Brent Stockstill, Coach Stockstill’s son, graduated from the program. Hockman’s addition bodes well for the plethora of receivers returning on the Blue Raider offense, one of which we will highlight in a bit. Their leading rusher, QB Asher O’Hara, transferred, leaving some capable running backs to take the lead. They just need some better production from their, now seasoned, offensive line.

Defensively, the Blue Raiders were one of the worst in FBS last year. They allowed a brutal 446 yards and 35 points a game. Simply put: You can’t win games like that and it puts so much more pressure on the offense. They do return ten of their starters and the hope is consistency will give way to wins. The secondary looks more solid with Gregory Grate Jr. and Reed Blankenship returning at the safety position. The biggest question mark for MTSU defensively will be their line though.

Offensive Player To Watch – Redshirt Senior WR Jarrin Pierce 

MTSU’s leading receiver, Jarrin Pierce, is back for his final season. Last year he snagged 58 receptions for 584 yards and three touchdowns. With Hockman transferring in, Pierce is set to have his best season ever.

Defensive Player To Watch – Junior S Gregory Grate Jr. 

One of the bright spots of the Blue Raider defense was safety Gregory Grate Jr. He returns for his junior year boasting 2020 First Team honors in light of his performance last season. He had 74 tackles, four interceptions, a recovered fumble and three forced fumbles in their shortened season.