Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raiders wrap-up home practice; focus on bowl game
12/19/2015 6:43:00 PM | Football
Team departs early Sunday morning
MURFREESBORO – MT head coach Rick Stockstill and the Blue Raiders wrapped up their first week of preparation after a physical Friday practice and a strong Saturday workout.
It was an important week of practice for the Blue Raiders, mainly due to the activities that will limit practice time when MT arrives in the Bahamas.
"We implemented our game plan, because we're not going to have as much time to practice once we get there," Stockstill said. "Because of all the functions and activities that they have us doing, plus the day we lose due to travel. We had to get all our work done here, and I feel really good about what we accomplished and we're ready to go."
On Sunday, the Middle Tennessee football team will board its two-and-a-half-hour flight to the Bahamas for its Popeyes Bahamas Bowl matchup against Western Michigan on Dec. 24.
And when the Blue Raiders get on the plane, it'll be all business.
"Everybody's anxious to get out there," MT senior defensive tackle Patrick McNeil said. "We're ready to get out of this cold weather and see how the Bahamas are. But at the end of the day, it's a business trip and everybody is really focused on the task at hand.
"And the task is winning."
One challenge the Blue Raiders may face is maintaining a balance between fun and preparation.
MT's practices and meetings will be held during the morning and afternoon hours, but after that, players are allowed to enjoy the tropical paradise.
"There's a time to work and a time to enjoy," Stockstill said. "From seven o'clock in the morning until one in the afternoon, they're locked in on football. And then, they'll have the rest of the day to enjoy Atlantis and the functions that they have in the evening for us as a team."
For Stockstill and the coaching staff, though, free time will be even more limited.
"We'll be locked in the whole time," Stockstill said about the staff. "It's different for a coach. I'm so proud of this team that I'll take enjoyment from watching them enjoy this experience."
When the Blue Raiders touch down in Nassau, Bahamas, it'll be the fifth bowl game for Middle Tennessee in its FBS era, and second bowl game in the last three seasons.
And MT freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill knows how close the Blue Raiders are to their first bowl win since the 2009 New Orleans Bowl.
"When we get on that plane it's business first," Brent said. "I think we're a very confident football team and we have a lot of guys that want to go down there and get a win. We have a great opponent in Western Michigan, so we're looking forward to every part of this bowl game."
It was an important week of practice for the Blue Raiders, mainly due to the activities that will limit practice time when MT arrives in the Bahamas.
"We implemented our game plan, because we're not going to have as much time to practice once we get there," Stockstill said. "Because of all the functions and activities that they have us doing, plus the day we lose due to travel. We had to get all our work done here, and I feel really good about what we accomplished and we're ready to go."
On Sunday, the Middle Tennessee football team will board its two-and-a-half-hour flight to the Bahamas for its Popeyes Bahamas Bowl matchup against Western Michigan on Dec. 24.
And when the Blue Raiders get on the plane, it'll be all business.
"Everybody's anxious to get out there," MT senior defensive tackle Patrick McNeil said. "We're ready to get out of this cold weather and see how the Bahamas are. But at the end of the day, it's a business trip and everybody is really focused on the task at hand.
"And the task is winning."
One challenge the Blue Raiders may face is maintaining a balance between fun and preparation.
MT's practices and meetings will be held during the morning and afternoon hours, but after that, players are allowed to enjoy the tropical paradise.
"There's a time to work and a time to enjoy," Stockstill said. "From seven o'clock in the morning until one in the afternoon, they're locked in on football. And then, they'll have the rest of the day to enjoy Atlantis and the functions that they have in the evening for us as a team."
For Stockstill and the coaching staff, though, free time will be even more limited.
"We'll be locked in the whole time," Stockstill said about the staff. "It's different for a coach. I'm so proud of this team that I'll take enjoyment from watching them enjoy this experience."
When the Blue Raiders touch down in Nassau, Bahamas, it'll be the fifth bowl game for Middle Tennessee in its FBS era, and second bowl game in the last three seasons.
And MT freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill knows how close the Blue Raiders are to their first bowl win since the 2009 New Orleans Bowl.
"When we get on that plane it's business first," Brent said. "I think we're a very confident football team and we have a lot of guys that want to go down there and get a win. We have a great opponent in Western Michigan, so we're looking forward to every part of this bowl game."
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