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| Middle Tennessee Preseason Fall Camp |
As
Middle Tennessee continues its preseason camp, It’s also graduation time for
some of Middle Tennessee best players.
Middle
Tennessee will have five football players earn their degrees this Saturday as
the University will hold its Summer Commencement. Current players Logan
Kilgore,Drayton Calhoun, and Vincent Van Horne will all pick up their
degrees along with former players Tyler Mason and Jesse Kirkland.
Congratulations Blue Raiders, from the Sun Belt Insider.
Offensive
Coordinator Buster Falkner had this to say about Middle Tennessee offense, “We
are extremely excited right now over the progress we have made from the spring
with our running game, but we have to get better. We are not running the ball
anywhere close to where we need to be, but I think we are running the ball
better, establishing the line of scrimmage, and that is where we need to
continue to improve.”
“Our
pass receiving has met our expectations so far. We've got some guys that have
made some plays, and like I told our quarterbacks, we've got a couple of them
that all you have to do is get it in their area code, and they will go up and
make a play for us. That's what they have to do.”
He
went on to say that Benny Cunningham is back running the ball downhill and
is healthy, so is newcomer Drayton Calhoun. William Pratcher came
in last year and played some big games for us so I have no problem handing him
the football. You have Jordan Parker, a freshman, who has impressed, and Jeremiah
Bryson, who can really run the ball, and so can Reggie Whatley. So we'll
find a way to get the right guys back there and put the ball in their hands.
On
the defensive side of the ball Co-Defensive Coordinator Steve Ellis believes it’s
positive. “Our first week was based on conditioning and assignments. This
week, the emphasis is on toughness. Everything they do will be under a
microscope. It's a tough, tough week. Everything is about bloodying somebody's nose.”
As
I mentioned, nothing they ever do will be good enough, but there are some that
have stepped up. Kenneth Gilstrap is really coming back from the
injury he had two years ago, and he's showing the promise that he showed as a
freshman. Kevin Byard is doing a great job as a red-shirt freshman coming
into a starting role at safety. I am really intrigued about James Roberson,
a red-shirt freshman linebacker/defensive back that is doing a really, really
nice job for us. Christian Henry, a red-shirt sophomore linebacker is
leading the linebackers and impressing everyone. I also think that Ykeem
Wells (red-shirt freshman linebacker) is having an outstanding camp. I
believe the sky's the limit for him.
Middle
Tennessee is trying to bounce back off a disappointing season last year as
well. And that’s what the coaches and players at Middle Tennessee are striving
for a comeback.
Middle
Tennessee will be celebrating it’s annual
Fan
Day. You can meet the 2012 Blue Raiders and coaches at Middle Tennessee's
annual Football Fan Day, this Sunday (August 12) from 2-4 PM at Murphy Center.
Autographs, inflatables, free hotdogs and drinks, and loads of fun will be on
hand for all members of the Blue Raider family. Bring your kids and friends to
get them ready for the 2012 football season.
The
Blue Raiders will practice on today, Friday at 9:15 AM and again at 7:30 PM.
Both practices are open to the public.
