USA Today
Middle Tennessee State: What you need to know
Duke travels to Murfreesboro, Tennessee for a non-conference road game at Middle Tennessee State, Saturday at 7:00 PM Eastern. Here’s what you need to know:
Check local listings:
The game is going to be televised on Facebook Live. There’s no other television or streaming. Just go to the Stadium network’s Facebook page to find the game.
Stadium has a deal to simulcast several college games on Facebook as well as air some exclusively on the social network.
While it’s likely a new experience for Duke fans, Facebook has been involved in airing live sports for several years. The UFC and MLB have both regularly aired fights and games, respectively, on Facebook.
Middle Tennessee offensive players to watch:
Coach David Cutcliffe spoke about the creative Middle Tennessee offense, saying that the offense uses motion and moves players around constantly, making it difficult to match up.
And there are some players that Cutcliffe and the Duke defense definitely need to keep an eye on.
Receiver Ty Lee is the leading active career receiver in the NCAA, by 18 catches, with 222. He’s on pace to finish with most of the school’s receiving records.
Quarterback Asher O’Hara is in his first year as a starter and three for 300 yards with 100 rushing yards, the first Middle Tennessee player to ever accomplish that. He’s completing more than 70 percent of his passes. He’s currently Middle Tennessee’s leading rusher on the season.
Middle Tennessee defensive players to watch:
Free safety Reed Blankenship leads the team with 16 tackles and two interceptions, both in the end zone. He’s also blocked a kick already this year.
Blankenship is on the watch lists for the Thorpe (top defensive back) and Bednarik (top defensive player) awards.
Big Stage:
The Blue Raiders put up 21 points on Michigan to open the season, leading the game at the Big House early. They’ve also beaten ACC teams four times: Maryland in 2008, at Maryland in 2009, at Georgia Tech in 2012 and at Syracuse in 2017. They also nearly upset Virginia in 2007.
Interesting facts:
The stadium is named after Johnny “Red” Floyd, a former Middle Tennessee coach, although Floyd only coached the team for four years before being fired.
Prior to being called the Blue Raiders, Middle Tennessee went by the Normalites, Teachers and Pedagogues.
