Week 2 MTSU Blue Raiders Vs Ole Miss Rebels College football 9/7/24

welcome to the eighth oldest stadium in the country bought Hemingway in Oxford Mississippi home of the Old Miss Rebels where the fans never lose a tailgate and don't plan on losing the game today kickoff team lining up to send this one away he'll bring it out it's Batley stopped at the 17 and he's probably second guessing that return so miss offense will start this game off and as the game evolves into an aerial circus sometimes you find a superstar running back like this guy and when you got this guy you ride this guy you give him the ball you run the football you find ways to continue to feed him cuz he just gets stronger and better as the game goes on you know you better form tackle better on defense you had a chance to make a big play Miss the running back and as a result he's getting positive yards defense has to do a better job of finishing defense and showing plenty of pre- snap movement of their own the rebels are in the hurry up from the gun they'll try to impose their will they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one how about that defense in the back field nowhere to go right away you could tell they were playing the Run game all the way and they got in the back field and got the tackle for a loss now they'll face third and four in their first possession of the game looking for a man it's Dart he's got his man and with that effort they pick up a fresh set of downs they have it at the 34 yd line when you're a playmaker like this guy is your coaches are going to dial up plays intended for you especially on third down that's what you saw in that last play there was no question where the quarterback was going with that football all week long they decided on the biggest Downs of this game we're going to Target our best player and we're going to make sure that he gets looks it doesn't matter what the coverage is and you saw it right there on that play he'll pull it on the read they'll force him out of bounds after a solid pick up on the play that's what's so great about these QB runs they just chip away at the defense and as this game goes on these little QB runs they're going to help keep third Downs manageable for this offense kept it on the ground on first down now back to the line [Applause] they'll run playaction catch in the middle it's Wells and he's brought down after a nice [Applause] [Music] game and the rebels are marching down the field off the play fake on first down to throw a strike downfield and they'll finally bring him down after he rips off a huge [Music] [Applause] [Music] play the rebels will will snap it on First and 10 now on the counter a run up the middle is stuck for No Gain man oh man that ball carrier was just shut down and I think what they need some push up front too right they got to move those defensive linemen out of the way at least create a hole so your running back has a chance not there he didn't have any they got nothing on the last play it's second and 10 the give to the running back from the shotgun and the defense finally makes the stop after the sweet run and good gain and another nice game by the offense all right defense we got to change something up here they're putting a big drive together play after play having a lot of success how do we break the Rhythm how do we give them something that can create a tackle for a loss or Sack or something to get momentum back on my [Applause] side quarterback on the keeper and he's loose and he'll take it to the house touchdown Rebel and that's why this offense is so hard to stop guys this quarterback in Heria throwing it and running it with his speed he can make people look silly and you saw it right there on the opening drive he came what a beautiful [Music] touchdown lining up to tack one more onto that lead and with the extra point they get the first seven of the game so a drive there of 82 yds and he found his way to the end zone from the seven to C lining up to cover the kick after that touchdown down Drive set a kick off he'll start the return inside is five nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 so middle Tennessee's offense will get the ball for the first time here's this offense with a fresh set of downs dropping back it's vattiato quick strike complete showing off that weight room work as he gets across the 20 and up to the 22 I love quarterbacks that are decisive and that put the mustard on the passes when you need to put the ball on a line in a hurry with some extra hot sauce you have to do a good job by the quarterback understanding Zone and hitting that curent maybe picked up a couple he's down at the 24 well man there's some big hitting going on in the trenches right now this defense they take a lot of pride in stopping the Run let's keep our eye on them throughout the course of the game and see if they can contain this running attack here on third down for this offense they'll try to pick it up on the ground they thought they could just run it on Third and short but this defense was there to make the stop we've come to the end of the period and Old Miss is on top we put one in the books Let's have a look at our game summary they've switched into the field and we're ready to get things started here in the second they bring the punter onto the field now this will be their first punt of the afternoon looking for a block it's Watkin he was working his way on the return toward Midfield they'll stop him at the 46 the Miss offense ready to go back to work coming out on first down with the play Fade complete to the left defense needs to regroup as he gets it down to the 26 That's What's So Scary About This offense they've got guys in the perimeter that can change the game in one single play and you saw right there too much speed on the perimeter to create that explosive play and the rebels head it quickly to the line from the gun the running back has it he's just outside the 20 yd line stopped at the 21 after a pick up of six up second down linebackers moving trying to confuse the quarterback got six on first down now a lot of options on second and four they'll try the right side and they'll bring him down but not before he picks up the first down this is an offense that really sees their identity as being able to run the football nice job there piing the first the rebels have it with a first and 10 trying to move them on the counter they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one you know when you're running counter those offensive linemen Crashing Down they've got to be able to pin those interior D lineman they couldn't get it done there they gave up too much penetration and that led to the tackle for loss going to work on second down in the red zone is still some ground to cover to pick up that first down give to the back pick up of one it's down at the 11 gain of one [Music] really need to pick up this conversion and avoid having to settle for the field goal they'll move the running back to try to force the defense to adjust getting some heat pass rush gets there gets home gets him down at the 23 and listen the quarterback drops back and he's going through his progressions we see Zone but just couldn't do anything about it this defensive line line this pressure getting to the quarterback getting him on the ground it's wise not to be too greedy and they'll go ahead and send out the field goal unit we've reached a two-minute warning and we'll see if the offense can build on this lead before the break the holder is going to line it up right at the 30 this will be a 40 yd field goal attempt they try to get something out of this drive and kick the field goal here on fourth down smashes it between the uprights and they'll push that lead out a little further that makes the score 10 Middle Tennessee [Music] so they were able to put up a three spot on that last drive and now the kickoff team out there as they prepare to put boot to leather and they desperately wanted to attempt a return but decided not to instead they'll take the touch back he'll come out throwing on first down can h hang on and he'll tell you he really should have made that catch and he had an opportunity right in the middle it'll be second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again looking downfield it's Fato he'll throw it caught near the sidelines he'll pick up a few before going out of bounds hey I'll tell you what that slot receiver he may not be the biggest receiver in the world but he is Shifty and he runs really good routes it's not on that [Music] play balls at the 29 defense can taste getting off the field it's third and long from the gun wants to pass and a missed opportunity on third down as the defense knocks it free and fourth down is coming up and money down is where you see defenses really understand where the sticks are play great pass defense know what's coming and get off the field the punt team makes its way onto the field this will be the second time they've had to kick it away fair catch called for and made Miss ready to send the offense onto the field they've got the lead here last time they settled for a field goal but David got to find that balance between being aggressive and careful and I think they'll take that I got the lead Palmer I got the football I got to take care of the football put a nice drive together and just get some kind of points on this drive no doubt lots to be happy about right now if you're this team I think for this one though on this drive it's about finding the one-on-one matchups that are in your favor and then exploiting they'll put it in play from the 41 on first down looking to move it through the air fires to the right got him downfield and he's brought down after a huge completion well it didn't take long for this guy to leave his impact in the game guys with that catch this guy's already over a 100 yds in the game and we're not even done the first half that's the way you get things going a huge play and now attacking from just inside the Red Zone they're threatening to score and they'll throw it he makes a catch in the end zone touchdown oh miss and this offense is flicking another touchdown didn't have to go far for this drive but this offense is doing what they want how they want when they [Music] they'll try to add another to their lead ex and with the extra point they push the lead out a little further quick strike offense on that three-play scoring drive and they close the deal with a 16 yd throw for the touchdown they're lining up to boot it away and it'll be a Touchback the ball will come out to the 25 yd line the Middle Tennessee offense will go back to work they find themselves in a pretty deep hole here but maybe a chance to grab a little momentum and regr group at half time yeah a big chance like this is this is an opportunity this is the biggest opportunity in front of them in the game right now you got to get some points on the board you got to create something positive Jesse there hasn't been a whole lot to be positive about in the first half if I'm playing quarterback I'm locating my go-to guy receiver who can I count on one-on-one to go and make me a play maybe even one on two who can go up catch the ball get us some and the pressure gets to him now goes the quarterback the defense going to stop the clock with the timeout they want to make sure they have everybody on the same page now facing a third and long they'll ride the running back and leave it with him and he's not going to make it the defense denying him the first down well it's a great individual effort by the running back on that last play it's third and forever he tried to get his team the first down not enough see what they do on four fourth down and the punt team sends it the other way on the move it's Watkins he's brought down but a really solid effort to pick up every bit of yardage he could on the py turn y Miss offense ready to go back to work looking to go up top on first down scrambling away still on his feet at the 45 and he gets out of there and gets some yardage and gets down without taking any punishment he does a good job of dropping back going through his progressions nothing there what do I do go get some yardage make it positive don't sit back in the pocket and force something into a bad situation or take a sack great job making something out of nothing going up top on first down grabbed over the middle it's well and they pick up just a few on that completion well these wide receivers work the middle of the field so much of this is fi understanding where the holes are in the zone or understanding how to get leverage on a man and these wide receivers are dangerous nowadays because they do it so fast and see that so quick and make those plays over the middle they'll use a timeout right before halftime maybe time for one or two more plays and here on second down they'll send out the field goal unit to try to get three before the [Applause] break it is good and now the leads extended a little f [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] so they get the late field goal right before the half and not much time after this kickoff for an answer on the move from inside is five coverage team there to make the stop they avoid disaster and that's the end of the first half we played two quarters here time to go to Kevin Connor in our halftime update gentlemen tough to beat the pageantry and tradition there today in Oxford an entertaining first half and we've got a multi-p possession lead to break down thanks to the surgical Precision of this offense might honestly take more time to talk about what didn't work than what did the running game the passing game Gadget plays have worked now it's just a matter of finishing the job and with that let's head back to the Grove and our FAS at bought heading way stadium and the rebels will kick it off to start the second half on the run from inside his own five and good work by the coverage team to get the Return Man Down on the ground let's see what the blue Raider offense can get going first play from scrimmage and they'll keep it on the ground now they've got Breathing Room got six all the way out to the 20 I know it's sexy to throw the football but if you can pound it away and get these kind of gains they will just add up wear the defense down get first downs and ultimately get some points 6yd pickup on first down leaves him with second and four keeps it on the boot bag looking to throw works the middle of the field a little more space open up that Playbook even more as they pick up the first down out to the 30 it's a nice job running the in route there by the receiver and the best thing he did after he made his break he didn't Trail and fade away he actually attacked the football that's a good lesson for young receivers out there watching from the gun the running back looking for room he's knock down in the back field he'll lose a couple linebackers have such an amazing responsibility got to play run got to play pass how about this seeing the Run aggressively getting downhill and getting in the back field and making a tackle for a l after losing a couple on that last play here's second and 12 they go right back to him they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one what you talk about on defense is speed is penetration getting in the back field making something happen you can tell they got in there so quick the offense couldn't recover couldn't do anything with them nice job getting the tackle fi third down and this offense is already in a world of trouble they could really use the conversion not to mention multiple scores makes a connection coming through that third down conversion and they'll mark it at the 43 it's really hard when you get in those predictable situations defenses are sitting on the sticks receivers have to understand where that first down marker is heads up play knows for the first down marker get in there and get it now on first down from the 43 yd line they'll try it over the left side and he'll find enough Running Room to get it just short of Midfield at the 49 I think one of the hardest things to do is stick to the run when it's not working but it's Those runs right there the reason why you have to do do right you can't get two one dimensional keep slipping Those runs in there keep getting a little bit of positive yards next thing you know you look up you might break one of those after you got them a little bit tired looking to throw it's battiato he's got his man and they make the tackle but he has plenty for the first down pick up of eight and that's good enough for a first down offense lining up quickly wide receiver now comes in motion they'll throw it on first down and it's incomplete if you're going to take a hit like that you might as well hang on to the ball and you see those balls in practice sometimes they're just off the mark and you don't you don't know how to control it you don't know what goes wrong but sometimes QBs Miss and it's an incompletion after the quarterback and receiver failed to hook up they'll try it again on second down he's looking to throw and the defense will Coral the quarterback and down he goes at Midfield and a great job by the defense dropping in zone coverage All Eyes in the quarterback taking away the options and then finally the pass rush gets on home gets him on the [Music] [Applause] ground ninth play of the drive coming up but this one will be tough third and long looking to throw and he needs a chunk play and it's incomplete good play downfield by the DB great play by the D defensive back showing you his variety of skills his ability to turn the hips his speed running down field turning his head to locate the football and then swatting it away you just can't do it better and here comes the punt team fourth time tonight we've seen this guy come on to punt not going to risk a return here he'll make the fair catch oh miss ready to send the offense onto the field man how comforting is it to know that even if your offense stalls out a little Jesse that field goal kicker can knock it in from a long way out well he's one of the best in the country re no doubt but this offense would like him and prefer for him to kick an extra point on this drive and to do that David they've got to have more Rhythm on offense yeah create some more Rhythm create some more explosive plays and maybe some more balance and listen it's nice to have that weapon and kick long field goals if you kick too many field goals you don't get very many W's they knock him down but not before he gets it out to the 21 yd line pick up a four I think that was an example of the offensive coordinator trying to help out his quarterback he's trying to keep these third Downs manageable you know you throw the ball on second down and it's incomplete now you've set up third and long and now you're set up to fail third down after the run looking for room it's Amos finally pulled down but not before moving the change for a first down [Music] we've come to the end of the period and Old Miss is on top they built a comfortable lead after 34 of play Let's Take a look at how we got here one more quarter to play and it might be unlikely but a it's college football comebacks happen [Applause] from the gun the ground game good solid run on that one as he gets it up to the 33 yd line man that's the advantage of having a good coaching staff that teach these players in this type of situation with the lead late in the game you want to stay in the field of play and keep the clock ticking they do that after that nice run good spot after that seveny pickup on first down it's second and three softened him up with the run now to throw quarterback strolling away from heat and he can't find a receiver and down he goes a playaction fake seems simple but there are some intricacies for the quarterback Reese you're right the danger for a quarterback in play action is that you're turning your back to the defense when you're trying to execute the play fake to the running back so you have no idea what's happening behind you and you have no presence for where that Rush is coming from all a sudden you whip your head back around and often times it's too late you saw that right there probably the the toughest call on the play sheet third and long Ball's at the 25 they'll run it from the gun and this one will be stopped for No Gain yeah and really good third down situational defense you you know it's third and long you know the pass plays coming defense was ready nice job forcing the fourth down so how good you feeling right now if you're on offense in this situation you want to just play conservative you want to punt it over and let your defense finish out the game or do you trust your quarterback to go make a play and win the game right now he'll bring it back it's Stewart they'll put a stop to that return at about the 37 yd line the Middle Tennessee offense will go back to work their Drive chart is starting to look a little monotonous punt punt punt David and their defense is starting to get a little frustrated too they just keep putting me back on the field possession after possession Jesse this offense needs to get their heads out of there you know what the punter's on the sideline with the oxygen mask right now he's been playing so much he's not used to this this offense they just got to stay on the field they've got to put a drive together and get some balance going running and throwing the ball back to pass it's Fato pressure coming just had to get rid of that one good job to avoid the loss it's a nice adjustment by the defense here with a big lead in the game we're putting extra DBS on the field knowing the offense has to throw to get back in this one in the fourth quarter so your best cover guys on the field and they force an incompletion on the last one they have it at the 43 third and short trying to avoid making a decision on fourth down fires to the wide out he makes a catch really confident throw and catch there big pickup and they have a first down that looks like a real simple play by the wide receiver but give him a ton of credit that was an excellent route he never telegraphed that he was breaking to the outside kept his eyes downfield so when he cuts he's able to get maximum separation from the defender and that's why that play is successful they keep attacking through the air he got a hand in there knocked it away incomplete the defense came into this one knowing if they stop the pass they win the game and they have done that their guys have won one-on-one on Islands they've been able to get to the quarterback they've been mixing ing up their looks they haven't even allowed 100 yds passing in this one and that's why they are way ahead here in the fourth quarter right back up top on second and 10 catch in the middle it's Willis and the big fell couldn't elude the quarterback who makes a sure tackle this offense has their work cut out for him man because the coverage has been so tight and if you're not throwing to the sideline or you're not getting past the sticks this defense is going to tackle you in bounds just did on that last play and bleed the clock it's third down now and they ought to be able to get off one more play before the two-minute warning we hit the two-minute warning and this offense is desperate to make something happen and do it in a hurry offense breaks the Huddle on third down looking to throw for it and it's incomplete on third down and obviously you're never going to point to one individual play over the course of a game but that right there is basically a microcosm of the day it's been for this offense they have not been able to get points up on the scoreboard because they simply can't execute down in the fourth quarter it's too late for empty possessions they'll go for it on fourth down he'll try to throw and pick up the first down he's got him and they convert and he makes a completion they're set up and in business at the 20 he's not the biggest guy in the world but on big moments big fourth Downs they look for it and those guys are so hard to get your hands on like you want to come up and jam them you know the ball's going to come out pretty quickly but he does a great job winning at the line of scrimmage QB and him same page fourth down no problem now from inside the Red Zone he's got the back in the middle and a good job in coverage there they stop it after just a few and just no hesitation there by the quarterback right primary target not open so find your check down where's my running back yeah I know I'm under pressure I know I'm going to get hit but I'm not taking a sack I'm going to find a way for us to get a few extra yards here sprinting to the line to try to get this one off CLX [Music] running back to throw it's vti [Applause] they've got it right on the edge of the Red Zone but they face a third and [Applause] [Music] long from the gun wants to pass going for six pulls it in in the end zone touchdown Middle Tennessee and a nice touchdown continuing to fight continuing to play this one it's pretty much over down multiple possessions this late in the football game it would take a miracle but nice job by this offense continuing to fight push the ball down the field make [Music] plays getting set for the point after for the extra point bangs it through for an extra point an impressive 66 yd touchdown drive and they close the deal with a 20yd pass for Six they're definitely up against it time running out down two possessions they'll try the onside kick not much drives more anxiety than waiting to see if the hands team can Cor the onside kick and they do y Miss offense ready to go back to work final minute this game's on Ice they can take a knee and run out the clock this offense has to feel great with how they're able to go out execute and perform big plays all game long I think it's sending a statement to to Future defenses down the road on the schedule they're going to be tough to contend with yeah I mean they got Firepower putting up so many points this thing is easily over now they can just chillax go back to the locker room know they're going to get the victory really really nice stop there from this senior leader the defense will take a timeout 25 seconds left to play it's a great play there by the defense stopping that run but now with less than a minute to go you got to use your timeout you got to try and conserve as much clock as possible to give yourself a chance to win out of the gun they'll run it inside defense will use a timeout 22 seconds remaining in the game man nowhere to on that play at all about all you can say is do better but that's the problem are they able to do better and that's why you keep trying things right keep trying to get on the perimeter running up the middle try different things to see what you do well line gets set first [Applause] down he's looking to throw it not much of a chance there he just had to get rid of it to avoid the back after the misfire now on second down to the air it's battiato and a little too much adrenaline on that throw never gave his receiver a chance that's a good decision by the quarterback I know that's not going to come up on a stat sheet but you're in the pocket nobody's open Don't risk turning it over just throw it [Music] away now on Third and 10 if they can move the chains here maybe they can get this drive started he'll set up to throw just threw that one away to avoid disaster after that incompletion fourth and long now on your own side of the field you're trailing in the fourth quarter what's your go-to play call here in the passing game where is the matchup that you trust in to come up with a big one to give yourself a chance to stay alive and win this game and after this play the cake will be baked on fourth down going to the air he wants a big play here late a sensational grab down the field there as they try to at least put a positive spin on the end of this game