By RENALDO

DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WE were a laughing stock last year.

When the cameras panned to the empty seats at the first Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, our reputation as football fans was called into question by the international media.

This year is our chance at redemption.

You can speculate on the many reasons why locals didn’t support the game (and we have), but I knew what it was - Bahamians had no vested interest in either team so they really didn’t have a clue as to who the playmakers were or which team to root for. It’s an easy choice to stay home or continue shopping when you don’t know what you’re going to watch.

As a people we’re going to come into this game prepared. When Middle Tennessee State (MTSU) and Western Michigan (WMU) kickoff at noon on Christmas Eve, we’ll be ready. This is a matter of patriotism, a matter of national pride, my country needs me and I’m here to help.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Corey Davis - #84, Wide Receiver, Junior, WMU

6’ 3” 205 lbs, Season Stats: 82, 1253 yards, 11 touchdowns, 15.3 yard avg.

Davis is the most NFL-ready prospect in this game and a mortal lock to be playing on Sundays at the next level in the very near future. Davis is projected to be a third, possibly second round pick if he leaves Kalamazoo after this season and that stock could increase if he returns for his senior season. Davis has 3,602 career receiving yards, the most among active FBS players and 32 receiving touchdowns, second-most among active FBS players. While this game has its share of undersized shifty playmakers, Davis is a physically imposing presence that dwarfs opposing defensive backs with his size and strength. Think Calvin Johnson before the commercials with Diddy. Davis was also an All-MAC first team selection.

Brent Stockstill - #12, Quarterback, Redshirt Freshman, MTSU

6’ 0” 200 lbs, Season Stats: 3678 yards, 27 touchdowns, 67% completions, 151.5 rating

Being a coach’s son automatically comes attached with a few built in stereotypes - “fundamentally sound, natural leader, film junkie, the straight laced protagonist in any Disney sports movie” (Austin Rivers is the exception to this rule). In Brent’s case, these stereotypes were major keys to his success in becoming a record-breaking quarterback in his first season as a starter. He originally committed to Cincinnati, but eventually would end up where he wanted to be all along playing for his dad at MTSU. After paying his dudes as a redshirt, Stockstill stepped in as a starter this season and set single-season school records for completions, attempts, passing yards, passing touchdowns and 300-yard passing games en route to setting the conference season freshman passing record. He was named the conference Freshman of the Year and also voted honourable mention and voted to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.

Daniel Braverman - #8, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Junior, WMU

5’ 10” 177 lbs, Season Stats:103 catches, 1266 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12.3 yard avg.

It would be easier to forego the draft and just add Braverman to the Patriots roster right now. Bill Belichick is clearly Darth Sidious and found another apprentice in Braverman (I’ve been watching way too much Star Wars recently). If you want to get a firm handle on Braverman’s game it’s the exact look and skill set of every New England receiver from Troy Brown to Julian Edelman. Braverman was named an All-MAC first team selection. Braverman will get the ball on jet sweeps, slants across the middle, on screen passes, pretty much anywhere in space where he has an opportunity to make a guy miss in space. He has no idea about the political climate in the Bahamas, but he should feel free to take the “Be Brave” slogan and run with it.

Richie James - #87, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Freshman, MTSU

5’ 9” 171 lbs, Season Stats: 100 catches, 1220 yards, six touchdowns, 12.2 yard avg.

Stockstill would have been the best freshman on the Blue Raiders roster, if it wasn’t for James.  A former high school quarterback turned receiver, it didn’t take long for him to become not just the top freshman on the MTSU roster, but one of the best in all of college football. He was named to USA Today Fresh All-American list, set school single-season records in receptions and became just the second player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards. James had four games with 10 or more receptions four 100-yard receiving games, and proved he could get it done against one of the best teams in the country with 10 catches for 95 yards against No.2 ranked Alabama. Also, I don’t know if A Chapelle’s Show reference is too dated, but if he goes “I’m Rick James !@#$” after every touchdown catch, that’ll just be great.

Kaylee Hartung - Sideline Reporter, ESPN

5’ 2” Brunette, Washington & Lee Grad

Could be the most important person in the stadium Thursday afternoon. Hartung was voted the 9th Hottest College Sports Sideline reporter in the USA. My first thought when I read that was that I need to see evidence of the top eight actually existing and proof they’re not figments of our collective imagination. I’m going to listen to everything she has to say. Twice.

Kevin Byard - #20, Safety, Redshirt Senior, MTSU

5’ 11” 215 lbs, Season Stats: 61 tackles, four interceptions, five pass breakups

The Bahamas Bowl will be the final game in the collegiate career for the dynamic safety who’s patrolled the Blue Raiders secondary for the past four seasons. Byard is one of those safeties that has a knack for finding turnovers and when he does, he usually scores. Byard ranks atop the school record books in interceptions, interception return yards, interception return touchdowns and is sixth in tackles. He was named the first Team All-Conference USA, was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List and Senior Bowl Watch List.

Zach Terrell - #11, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior, WMU

6’ 1” 204 lbs, Season Stats: 3225 yards, 27 touchdowns, 66% completions, 161.1 rating

An All-MAC third team selection, Terrell is a game manager that can make all the throws - think Alex Smith. Forget the Alex Smith jokes we used to hear “Pre-Maclin” about him not throwing to receivers, he was one of the best quarterbacks of his era at running the spread offence and was a number one overall pick in the draft. Terrell hasn’t reached that level of mastering the spread offence yet, but he’s extremely efficient, can make some big throws down the field to his playmakers on the outside. He puts the ball in the right spot, Davis and Braverman do the rest.

TT Barber - #38, Linebacker, Senior, MTSU

6’ 1” 233 lbs, Season Stats: 89 tackles, four sacks, interception, three passes broken up

The most intimidating player on Blue Raiders defence, and if you don’t believe me check his bio pic on the school’s website. Barber looks like the kind of guy that was named a permanent team captain for his productivity and leadership…but mostly out of fear. He’s the quiet leader type that you know would break a guy in half on the field to stop him from getting to the first down marker. Also important to note, he trains in the Bane mask. Ok, it’s the high-altitude training mask, but it looks a lot like what Bane wears. Helps with the intimidation factor. Barber was named First Team All-C-USA, was a Preseason First Team All-C-USA selection and was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.

Darius Phillips - #14, Cornerback, Sophomore, WMU

5’ 10” 184 lbs, Season Stats: 46 tackles, five interceptions, 20 passes defended, 23.4 kick ret. avg.

I’m not saying he’s Patrick Peterson, but he’ll do lots of Patrick Peterson-like plays in this game. He’s a shutdown corner that’s also a threat to score every time he touches the ball whether it’s on an interception or kick return. He’s a converted receiver turned defensive back and puts those ball skills on display any time he’s in coverage. In the first game of the season, he returned a kick 100-yards against No. 5 Michigan State. He also led the Broncos with five interceptions and 20 total passes defended, second most in the MAC and fifth in the country. He was an All-MAC second team selection.