PREVIEW: Q&A with Voice of the Golden Eagles Roger Ealey - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics (2024)

Football 8/30/2024 1:19:00 PM Sam Doughton, MTSU Athletic Communications

The radio play-by-play announcer for Tennessee Tech takes us inside the new look program in 2024 ahead of MTSU’s season opener.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — There are dozens of reasons why Middle Tennessee football is not overlooking Tennessee Tech this Saturday.

It's the first game of Derek Mason's tenure, of course, so there's plenty of incentive for everyone to establish an identity in the new era. There's the history between the two programs, the Totem Bowl rivalry that stirs up strong memories in alumni of both schools, that will ensure the game is passionate on all fronts. And then there's the usual FCS vs. FBS matchup caveats of respecting one's opponent and treating them, regardless of the differences in resources each program has, as an equal.

But Tennessee Tech has one other reason, Mason noted, that's worthy of treating them with even more respect: their new head coach, Bobby Wilder, who excelled in his time at Old Dominion in Conference USA.

"We understand that he's been in this conference before, at ODU, and he understands what this conference is," Mason said. "He's won at this level; he's going to prepare his team to come in here and play good football. Our football team has got to worry about us. It's not who we play, it's how we play."

The coaching changes MTSU and Tennessee Tech both underwent this summer has likely made the Week 1 scout tricky for both teams, with both the Blue Raiders and Golden Eagles featuring coordinators who were not in those positions with those programs a season ago when the ball is kicked off at 6 p.m. on Saturday night in Floyd Stadium. Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato said that most of his film study this week has been watching TTU defensive coordinator Greg Jones' defenses at Gardner-Webb, where Jones coached last season.

"That's interesting when you're trying to break down film and study for an opponent, you're not necessarily watching so much Tennessee Tech," Vattiato said. "So it's hard to get an idea of personnel... But at the same time, we understand as an offense that's a good group over there. They have returning all-conference players; they have added support from the portal. They're going to be ready to play."

Mason highlighted the pressure Jones' teams were able to generate last season with the Runnin' Bulldogs, who were first in the country in the FCS in tackles for loss per game, as something he expects his team to have a handful with on Saturday. Offensively, Mason praised TTU coordinator Brian Scott, who led a prolific offense at New Hampshire a season ago that ranked in the Top 10 in the FCS in multiple offensive categories, noting his past with Wilder at Old Dominion, where he was also the offensive coordinator.

"I think in what (Wilder) sees in his offensive coordinator is somebody that he knows well, who was with him at ODU," Mason said. "They know how to put together game plans, they know how to develop players."

His starting safety, Brendon Harris, echoed his head coach in noting that in a Week 1 matchup with so many unknowns (Tennessee Tech had a similarly drastic roster overhaul to MTSU's this offseason in addition to the coaching changes), the focus had to be on what the Blue Raiders do on the field.

"When we're watching film, we're just trying to get some tips, some tendencies, just so we can get an advantage when we get into the game," Harris said. "Going into this game, it's more about what we do and how we do. We can run Cover 3 the entire game, it's just the way we do it and how we play. We're just more focused on our mentality coming into this game and our style of play."

To learn more about the 2024 Golden Eagles, MTSU Staff Writer Sam Doughton reached out to Roger Ealey, who's the Voice of the Golden Eagles on the team's radio broadcast. The two discussed the offseason community work of Wilder, some of the players to know on both sides of the ball and what expectations are for the renewed rivalry in Floyd Stadium as TTU heads down from Cookeville.

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1. Reading through some of the work Thomas Corhern wrote on the Tennessee Tech site, I was struck by how similar Bobby Wilder and Derek Mason have approached their new jobs in Year 1, particularly off the field, where it seemed community engagement was a top priority for both coaches. How has Wilder made an early impact off the field in Cookeville and what's the general level of excitement on campus about his first season getting underway?

Coach Wilder and Coach Mason both use any method they can to introduce their program to their fanbase. In the days of the Transfer Portal, maintaining your fans and creating a new generation of fans has become more difficult. Both coaches use social media and local outreach to bring in the surrounding communities and introduce them to their players, coaches, and staff, including activities involving local youth and the local school system which helps introduce the next generation to the program.

2. Jordyn Potts earned a lot of playing time at quarterback as a freshman, but former Missouri quarterback Dylan Laible comes into Cookeville with a strong track record in the Junior College ranks. What has the competition been like between the two in camp this August and what skillset does each bring to the offense when they're on the field?

It has been an exciting time watching the two quarterbacks' competition and training to see who our starting quarterback between Jordyn Potts and Dylan Laible will be. That healthy competition is going to continue this week, as both Potts and Laible are expected to see playing time in our opener against the Blue Raiders. Having two great quarterbacks to choose from is a good situation for the Golden Eagles. As history has proven, you always need quality roster depth. I personally am looking forward to how they handle our first couple games against quality opponents. And I am excited to see them grow and develop through the season on a game-by-game basis.

3. The Tech offense appears to have nearly turned over completely in between seasons, particularly compared to the defense. Who are some of those newcomers that Offensive Coordinator Brian Scott is looking to contribute to the cause early?

Tech's offense had some problems early last season, scoring seven points or fewer in four out of 11 games! With all the fresh faces on the field this year, including seven new receivers for our lineup, as well as our leading receiver and tight end returning this season. They are looking for that combination to help improve the offensive woes from a season ago.

4. The Golden Eagle defense was particularly stout last year, ranking in the Top 15 in total defense at the FCS level last season. This year, they return a 2023 All-OVC player at all three levels in defensive end Daniel Rickert, linebacker Aaron Swafford and safety Tim Coutras. What makes each of those three players stand out?

Golden Eagles defense was in the Top 15 in the Country for FCS last season. The group defensively is led by All-OVC Defensive End, Daniel Rickert. Offenses will have to account for Rickert on every play. Tech continues their extensive line of quality Linebackers with Aaron Swafford as one of the leaders on the defensive side! Senior Safety, Tim Coutras, completes the trio of Defensive Anchors that are going to help lead the team this season.

5. It can be tough to judge success in these FCS-FBS matchups, but this one will have a different rivalry flavor that might make things more interesting. What will you need to see from Tech on Saturday to consider the season opener a sign of progress for the new staff?

This season is a little bit different for the Golden Eagles, they will play their first two games and then have their open date. Normally coaches would not like an open date so early in the season, but with FBS opponents like Middle Tennessee and No. 1 Georgia, it gives the team an extra week after some incredibly good competition to see what is going well and where the team can continue to build upon and improve.