UK sticks with QB Hartline vs. Blue Raiders

[IE]

Despite a strong showing from freshman Randall Cobb last week versus Norfolk State, Kentucky will start sophomore Mike Hartline at quarterback Saturday against MTSU.

After practice Thursday, Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips said Hartline would start his third straight game Saturday. Wildcats head coach Rich Brooks said both Hartline and Cobb will play against MTSU.


Hartline is 25-of-46 passing for 207 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions this season. Cobb is 6-of-11 passing for 87 yards, one TD and one interception.

Cobb, a former Alcoa High standout and fan favorite at Kentucky, also ran for two TDs versus Norfolk State last week and has three receptions at wide receiver.

Hartline was reportedly booed by Wildcat fans when he relieved Cobb in the second half of last week's Norfolk State game.

Finally beat Terps

Last week's upset of Maryland provided special satisfaction for MTSU defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and graduate assistant Roger Pollard.

"It was only ironic because my first four years at N.C. State, Maryland just beat us in heart-breaking games all four years," Diaz said. "Think Troy '06 four years in a row. It was almost like that. It was uncanny. Roger Pollard, our defensive GA, played linebacker (at N.C. State) those four years and we kind of giggled coming off the field saying, 'We couldn't beat them at N.C. State, and here we are finally beating them at Middle Tennessee.'"

Quote of note

"I think everybody associated with Middle Tennessee or who has ever been associated with Middle Tennessee is walking around with their chest out. I know I am. I know our players are. I know our students are. I hope our students and alumni are." ? MTSU coach Rick Stockstill on last week's upset of Maryland.

Where credit is due

The MTSU defense's three interceptions was a major factor in last week's 24-14 upset of Maryland. Two picks prevented Maryland touchdowns, and another led to an MTSU score.

But two of the interceptions were a result of a good pass rush.

Defensive end Emmanuel Perez had a hold on Maryland quarterback Chris Turner's leg when he threw an interception to cornerback Ted Riley near the goal line. And then defensive tackle Brandon Perry had a hand on Turner when he tossed a pick to linebacker Danny Carmichael, who returned it inside the 10-yard line.

Another frosh DB

Last season's defensive secondary was sparked by the early impact of freshmen Jeremy Kellem and Rod Issac. It appears another freshman defensive back may be following in their footsteps.

Derek Crumpton has impressed coaches with his football instincts. He has four tackles this season, but none as valuable as his tackle for loss on Maryland quarterback Josh Portis on fourth-and-5 in the fourth quarter.

"He's sort of like Kellem last year," MTSU defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. "He's just got such a great football IQ, that it gets him into the game. He's got a quick change of direction. When he went after that quarterback on that fourth down the other night, it was like he was shot out of a cannon. It was pretty amazing."

 

[IE]

Blue Raiders face struggling UK offense
Wildcats replacing six starters, four NFL draftees


Kentucky's offense has tried to find itself through two games.

MTSU hopes the search continues beyond Saturday.


"They're struggling a little to find an identity on offense (after replacing six starters and four NFL Draftees)," MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill said. "So they're trying to fill some voids these first couple of games."

Even Kentucky coach Rich Brooks has acknowledged his offense's small steps. A week ago, Brooks said its play wouldn't go from night to day, but "hopefully twilight will arise for our offense."

The Wildcats replaced standouts at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end in the offseason, and some positions are still unclaimed.

Sophomore Mike Hartline and dual-threat freshman Randall Cobb are competing to replace All-SEC quarterback Andre Woodson. Both should play against MTSU.

The Wildcats gained only 210 total yards in a 27-2 win over Louisville in the season-opener, and only one of their three touchdowns was scored by the offense. Then they racked up 445 yards and 38 points against FCS-member Norfolk State last week, but Brooks still pronounced his offense a work in progress.

MTSU defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said his unit is in a similar position as Kentucky's offense, still trying to establish basic strengths of its attack heading into the season's third game.

"They're still trying to establish the ABCs of their offense," Diaz said. "You know every game you'll always get some XYZs, but Kentucky is still going to feature the same pillars of their offense and they're going to try to make those things go. Fundamentally, that's all we're trying to do, too. Just like them, we're trying to get better at what we do.

"We're still concerned about the ABCs of our defense than we are about what Kentucky does, and I'm sure they feel the same way about us."

Like Kentucky's offense, the Blue Raider defense is coming off a productive performance heading into Saturday's game at Commonwealth Stadium.

MTSU intercepted three passes in a 24-14 win over Maryland last week ? two that prevented Terps' touchdowns and one that led to an MTSU score. Diaz said the Blue Raiders must force turnovers in addition to playing sound defense for a chance at upsetting Kentucky.

"It's like boxing. I don't think you want to go to the decision," said Diaz, acknowledging a need to force turnovers.

"You could argue that if we don't intercept those passes against Maryland, we may lose the game. And as poorly as we played against Troy, if you intercept the two passes we dropped in that game, we may have won that game."

MTSU's defense has been stingy with the exception of giving up a few big plays. In fact, 18 of 27 possessions by opposing offenses have gone for five plays or less and only two of those drives have been for double-digit plays.

If the win over Maryland is an indication, MTSU's defense appears to be hitting its stride despite injuries to three starters in the first two games.

Cornerback Rod Issac will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury. Linebacker Andrew Harrington's return Saturday from an ankle injury is questionable, but the linebacking corps has absorbed his loss.

Senior linebacker Ivon Hickmon has returned from an injury-plagued 2007 debut season to play well the last two games. Junior linebacker Danny Carmichael has had a hand in two turnovers in two games, and senior linebacker Lonnie Clemons' return from an ankle injury last week transformed the defense, said Diaz.

"I think Lonnie Clemons changed us as a defense in the Maryland game," Diaz said. "He added a presence just as a runner and a hitter that we may have lacked against Troy."