Neutralizing that pass rush will be a key Friday for the Hilltoppers (5-5 overall, 3-3 Conference USA) when they take on the Blue Raiders (5-5, 3-3). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Houchens-Smith Stadium, with the game broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
MTSU’s defense is coordinated by Scott Shafer, and Sanford is familiar with his blitzing tendencies. The two worked together in 2007 at Stanford, when Sanford was an offensive graduate assistant and Shafer the associate head coach and defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh.
The Cardinal went just 4-8 that season but pulled off an upset of No.