MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Going into this season, figuring out how to replace running back I'Tavius Mathers was one of the biggest concerns for Middle Tennessee.
Mathers was like a shooting star for his hometown Blue Raiders, setting single-season school records in rushing (1,561) and all-purpose (2,194) yards in his only year for the blue and white. He was also the first player in NCAA FBS history with over 1,500 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and 60 catches in the same season.
It was clear in the preseason MT didn't have a running back on the roster who could do things at Mathers' level, so the Blue Raiders focused on how to operate with a committee.