Five questions for wide receivers coach Daryl Mason...

How has practice gone this week?

Mason: "We were a little banged-up on Sunday night, but it gave us a great opportunity to introduce the guys to some things that Middle Tennessee will do. We put the full game plan in on Tuesday and I thought we picked it up really well. The intensity was high and we picked-up Wednesday right where we left of (on Tuesday)."

What did winning at Arkansas State do for the team's confidence?

Mason: "Everyone was very disappointed after losing at FIU, but we couldn't stay down very long because Arkansas State had a really good football team to prepare for. ASU was 18 points away from being 6-2 and for us to go over there and play well really pumped us up."

What are Middle Tennessee's strengths?

Mason: "They are 6-3 with victories over some very good teams. I think they're rolling pretty good right now, so we are going to have to be ready to play. They do a lot of different things defensively, mixing up their coverage and playing a lot of people. They blitz a lot and you don't know where they're coming from a lot of times.

What does moving Marlin Miller to running back do for the team?

Mason: "Marlin is very good with the ball in his hands and he helps bring a different look to our offense. I think it gives some of our other wide receivers more opportunities. We have a lot of receivers that can contribute."

How much of a boost has the defense been giving the offense with turnovers creating good field position?

Mason: "The defense has set us up with a short field quite a few times in the last couple of weeks. The offense needs to produce points when we get handed that opportunity. We need to be able to drive the ball no matter where we get it on the field."


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