Middle Tennessee looking for first winning season since ’01

Just like Counts, he also throws left-handed, redshirted his freshman year and has broken many passing records.

And Middle Tennessee coach Andy McCollum thinks Marks also has the same mentality about football.

“There’s definitely some similarities,” McCollum said. “The No. 1 thing is you never have to worry about (his) work ethic.”

Counts led the Blue Raiders to their last winning seasons at 6-5 in 2000 and 8-3 in 2001.

Things might improve this season with Marks, who ranked third in the nation last year by completing 70.4 percent of his passes, an older and smarter defense and a strong recruiting class.

“We saw some flashes of good things last year,” McCollum said.

Marks beat out Josh Harris for starter during the 2004 season, and he said last year was a learning process as he struggled with some badly timed interceptions as the Blue Raiders went 5-6.

“I think getting a whole season under my belt will really help make me better,” Marks said.

He lost his favorite receiver Kerry Wright, who posted the first back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Middle Tennessee. McCollum isn’t sure who will fill that spot when Middle Tennessee opens at Alabama on Sept. 3.

“We’re going to have to have some guys step up,” McCollum said. “We’ve still got some guys who have started before.”

Marks will have help from an offense that returns eight starters.

Chris Henry, Cleannord Saintil and Pierre Ingram are expected to share the work at wide receiver. Henry, who had 60 receptions last year for 586 yards, likely will be the top target. Incoming freshmen Michael Cannon and Eddie Brown also could see some playing time.

An improved running game could help after being practically nonexistent in 2004 — several quarterbacks from other Sun Belt Conference teams registered more running yards than any Blue Raider.

The coaches recruited Alex Suber of Tampa, Fla., whose older brother Allen plays for the NFL’s Houston Texans, to help out redshirt junior Eugene Gross and sophomore Terry Jackson.

Gross, the team’s top rusher in 2004, ended the season with 412 yards; Jackson had 255.

“I just want to out-work everybody and help this team win football games,” Suber said during a fall camp practice.

On defense, the Blue Raiders have depth and experience this year with nine starters back.

“What I’m most excited about is the younger guys are now much more experienced,” senior linebacker Dennis Burke said. “They’ve been training really hard.”

Top recruit Brandon Perry could see some time on the line with returning starter Jeff Littlejohn. Burke and Jonathan Bonner round at the defense at linebacker.

Burke thinks the defense has bonded in the offseason with cookouts and “just hanging out.”

“You’ve got to have great camaraderie to have a great team,” McCollum said. “Hopefully that’s going to carry over to the season.”

Middle Tennessee won all four league at home last year but couldn’t win on the road.

The Blue Raiders’ toughest game at home could be Sept. 10 against North Texas — a team that has won 25-straight Sun Belt games and is favored to win the conference for the fifth year in a row.

McCollum may need some luck in his seventh season. With only two winning records, his job may be on the line without a turnaround.

“You always feel a little pressure on the job,” he said. “But no one wants to win harder than this coaching staff.”

A quick look at the 2005 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Coach: Andy McCollum, seventh season, 30-38 record, 30-38 career.

Home stadium: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium.

2004 record: 5-6, 4-4 Sun Belt Conference.

Returning starters: eight offense, nine defense.

Key players: Offense — QB Clint Marks, WR Chris Henry, WR Cleannord Saintil.

Defense — DT Jeff Littlejohn, LB Dennis Burke, LB Jonathan Bonner.

Best bets: Clint Marks will anchor the offense with strong, accurate passing. … The team’s defense will come together this year with a more experienced secondary than last year. … Several strong recruits, such as Alex Suber, Michael Cannon, Eddie Brown and Brandon Perry could have an immediate impact on the team.

Questions: Will the Blue Raiders’ passing numbers drop after graduating star Kerry Wright? … Will the Blue Raiders be able to stop North Texas this year? … Will the Blue Raiders win on the road this year? … Will RB Eugene Gross or any other rusher be able to run for a 1,000 yards to take pressure off the passing attack?

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SCHEDULE:

Sept. 3 at Alabama, 6 p.m.

Sept. 10 vs. North Texas, 6 p.m.

Sept. 17 vs. Akron, 4 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m.

Oct. 15 at Florida Atlantic, 3 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette., 4 p.m.

Oct. 29 at Florida International, 5 p.m.

Nov. 5 vs. Arkansas State, TBA

Nov. 12 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, TBA

Nov. 19 at North Carolina State, Noon

Nov. 26 at Troy, 6 p.m.