Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raiders arrive in the Bahamas
12/20/2015 7:46:00 PM | Football
Team has busy first day on the island
PHOTO GALLERY
NASSAU – The Blue Raider football program got an early start to the day with a 9 AM flight to Nassau and made it to the hotel around 2 PM Eastern time. The team was welcomed by 80 degree temperatures and an incredible backdrop on Paradise Island as it arrived for the 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.
"The team is very excited about our opportunity and to finally reach the island," said head coach Rick Stockstill. "This is a chance of a lifetime destination and no one is more deserving than this group of players. We look forward to a great week and the experience that lies ahead."
The Blue Raiders spent the majority of their afternoon acclimating themselves to the enormous resort that is Atlantis. Along with a team meeting, then a second meeting to go over hotel logistics, the players learned where meeting rooms, locker rooms, player's lounges, and of course, food and water slides were located. In the evening, both teams and travel parties took part in the Welcome Reception on the Royal Deck, surrounding by luxurious pools and beaches.
The trip may be one of the top destinations among all the bowl games but the importance has not been lost on the team as it searches for its second FBS bowl victory.
"We are all excited about being in the Bahamas, having a good time and focusing on the game," said safety Kevin Byard. "Obviously, there are a lot of distractions here and we will have fun but at the same time we know we are here to play a football game. Our focus will be on the challenge ahead of us."
Middle Tennessee will hit the practice field for the first time on Monday morning, which will be like a Wednesday practice of a normal game week. It all leads up to a Christmas Eve kickoff at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
For all the information on the Blue Raiders' bowl trip, follow the team on Twitter at @MT_FB or on GoBlueRaiders.com.
Middle Tennessee State Arrival Quotes
Rick Stockstill, Head Coach
On finally arriving in Nassau
The anticipation and logistics of everything we've gone through the last couple of weeks, we had a great week of practice at home and our guys are excited. It's good to be here and get settled in today and get ready to go tomorrow.
Were the players excited on the way down?
Absolutely. It's pretty cold in Tennessee so they were excited to get down here. It's a great opportunity for these guys. Most of them have never been out of the country before so it's going to be a great experience for them.
On Western Michigan
They're a really good team and have some dynamic skill players on offense. Their two receivers, runningback and quarterback are really good. They're huge on the offensive line. Kind of the typical Midwestern-type guys that you see. Defensively they've done a really good job of not giving up the big play. They keep the ball in front of them and they're sound in the kicking game.
I think the big thing is, they're No. 2 in the country in time of possession so they're good on third down. Defensively, we've got to be good on first down and get them in some third-and-long situations and try to create turnovers. Conversely, offensively, it looks like it might be a shortened game because of their ability to control the clock so we've got to be great on third down and protect the football. We can't give up any possessions.
92 Pat McNeil, Defensive Tackle (Mobile, Ala.)
What are you looking forward to the most?
I'm looking forward to getting out and being able to see everything. I want to do the most I can do while I'm here. This is my last college football game. I want to enjoy it.
16 Khalil Brooks, Cornerback (Atlanta, Ga.)
What are you looking forward to the most?
My mom's from Belize so I've been out of the country before. I've seen a lot so it's nothing new. I just want to have a normal vacation, experience the culture and explore.
33 Myles Harges, Linebacker (Grenada, Miss.)
How did it feel flying down to the Bahamas?
Being from Mississippi you don't see water that color there. It was different. We know this is a business trip but we know we can have a good time here. Not sure yet how it's going to feel playing a football game outside of the U.S. but I'm looking forward to it.
What's the one thing you want to do while you're here?
I want to swim with dolphins.
NASSAU – The Blue Raider football program got an early start to the day with a 9 AM flight to Nassau and made it to the hotel around 2 PM Eastern time. The team was welcomed by 80 degree temperatures and an incredible backdrop on Paradise Island as it arrived for the 2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.
"The team is very excited about our opportunity and to finally reach the island," said head coach Rick Stockstill. "This is a chance of a lifetime destination and no one is more deserving than this group of players. We look forward to a great week and the experience that lies ahead."
The Blue Raiders spent the majority of their afternoon acclimating themselves to the enormous resort that is Atlantis. Along with a team meeting, then a second meeting to go over hotel logistics, the players learned where meeting rooms, locker rooms, player's lounges, and of course, food and water slides were located. In the evening, both teams and travel parties took part in the Welcome Reception on the Royal Deck, surrounding by luxurious pools and beaches.
The trip may be one of the top destinations among all the bowl games but the importance has not been lost on the team as it searches for its second FBS bowl victory.
"We are all excited about being in the Bahamas, having a good time and focusing on the game," said safety Kevin Byard. "Obviously, there are a lot of distractions here and we will have fun but at the same time we know we are here to play a football game. Our focus will be on the challenge ahead of us."
Middle Tennessee will hit the practice field for the first time on Monday morning, which will be like a Wednesday practice of a normal game week. It all leads up to a Christmas Eve kickoff at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
For all the information on the Blue Raiders' bowl trip, follow the team on Twitter at @MT_FB or on GoBlueRaiders.com.
Middle Tennessee State Arrival Quotes
Rick Stockstill, Head Coach
On finally arriving in Nassau
The anticipation and logistics of everything we've gone through the last couple of weeks, we had a great week of practice at home and our guys are excited. It's good to be here and get settled in today and get ready to go tomorrow.
Were the players excited on the way down?
Absolutely. It's pretty cold in Tennessee so they were excited to get down here. It's a great opportunity for these guys. Most of them have never been out of the country before so it's going to be a great experience for them.
On Western Michigan
They're a really good team and have some dynamic skill players on offense. Their two receivers, runningback and quarterback are really good. They're huge on the offensive line. Kind of the typical Midwestern-type guys that you see. Defensively they've done a really good job of not giving up the big play. They keep the ball in front of them and they're sound in the kicking game.
I think the big thing is, they're No. 2 in the country in time of possession so they're good on third down. Defensively, we've got to be good on first down and get them in some third-and-long situations and try to create turnovers. Conversely, offensively, it looks like it might be a shortened game because of their ability to control the clock so we've got to be great on third down and protect the football. We can't give up any possessions.
92 Pat McNeil, Defensive Tackle (Mobile, Ala.)
What are you looking forward to the most?
I'm looking forward to getting out and being able to see everything. I want to do the most I can do while I'm here. This is my last college football game. I want to enjoy it.
16 Khalil Brooks, Cornerback (Atlanta, Ga.)
What are you looking forward to the most?
My mom's from Belize so I've been out of the country before. I've seen a lot so it's nothing new. I just want to have a normal vacation, experience the culture and explore.
33 Myles Harges, Linebacker (Grenada, Miss.)
How did it feel flying down to the Bahamas?
Being from Mississippi you don't see water that color there. It was different. We know this is a business trip but we know we can have a good time here. Not sure yet how it's going to feel playing a football game outside of the U.S. but I'm looking forward to it.
What's the one thing you want to do while you're here?
I want to swim with dolphins.
Players Mentioned
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