OFFENSE

Quarterback Dwight Dasher is gone, which provides both good and bad news. He was a record-breaking runner/passer, but Dasher was also the major source of MTSU’s 38 turnovers, which led the nation. Logan Kilgore and Jeff Murphy will compete for the starting job, and Willie Simmons was promoted to coordinator in hopes of recharging the up-tempo attack.

Four starters return on the offensive line, and proven running backs Ben Cunningham and D.D. Kyles should provide a good mix of rushing and pass-catching in the spread offense.

But the offense lacked big plays and a vertical passing game last season. Kilgore’s strong arm can stretch the field, but he needs senior wideouts Sancho McDonald and Malcolm Beyah to finally reach their full potential.

Redshirt freshman Reggie Whatley was moved from running back to wideout to add some big-play pop to the receiving corps. Receivers and linemen were ravaged by injuries in the spring, and both need to mend in order to provide strengths for the offense.

DEFENSE

Passion and pressure were missing from last season’s defense, which led to the promotion of excitable assistant Steve Ellis to coordinator. Unfortunately, Ellis inherits only three returning starters and a load of question marks.

Recruiting has stockpiled long, athletic linebackers and defensive ends, but they lack experience. Look for Omar McLendon and converted linebacker Gorby Loreus to play well at defensive end, and redshirt freshman Patrick McNeil must clog the middle for a defense gashed by the run a year ago.

Senior linebacker Darin Davis is an all-conference-caliber player, but he will need the youngsters around him to step forward. A fall camp knee injury delayed Stephen Roberts’ debut last season, but he could be a difference-maker if he finally gets healthy.

Safety Derrick Crumpton and cornerback Arness Ikner give some stability to the secondary. But steady play won’t be good enough. The defense must create turnovers, sacks and big plays to fulfill the longstanding purpose of the scheme.

“I love our athleticism and attitude on defense, but we need a lot of young guys to step up,” coach Rick Stockstill says. “I like those guys. They don’t know everything, but they go full speed.”

SPECIALISTS

Three all-conference performers return in kicker Alan Gendreau, punter Josh Davis and returner Eric Russell. Gendreau has a big leg, and he’s automatic from mid-range, making 30-of-33 field goals from inside 40 yards in his career.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Middle Tennessee has gone to bowls in back-to-back years, but last season was a disappointment because of costly turnovers and an NCAA suspension of Dasher. With tempered expectations and the Dasher drama in the past, don’t be surprised if the Blue Raiders again contend in the Sun Belt race. The Sun Belt slate should be manageable. Aside from an 0–5 mark vs. Troy, Stockstill’s teams have posted a 25–7 record against the rest of the league.

Adding a non-conference win over Memphis or season-opening upset of Purdue could yield a third-straight bowl bid. A rare trip to Tennessee is also circled on every Blue Raider fan’s calendar. “People are going to predict what they think, but we can compete with every team we play,” Stockstill says. “So we’ll just play the season out. I know this, that my expectations for this program have always been higher than anybody else.”