Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Raiders see Thomas A. Robinson Stadium for first time
12/22/2015 3:00:00 PM | Football
Kickoff is less than 48 hours away
NASSAU – The Middle Tennessee football team got its first look at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Tuesday with a nearly two-hour workout in hot and humid conditions. The Blue Raiders are now less than 48 hours from kickoff against Western Michigan in the second annual Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.
The game will get underway on Thursday at 11 AM Central and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN with Steve Levy, Mark May, Mack Brown and Kaylee Hartung calling the action.
Middle Tennessee continued to sharpen its game-plan while paying special attention to special teams.
"I thought we had a great practice today with people flying around and playing with energy," said senior Kevin Byard. "We have been enjoying ourselves but we know when it's time to focus and the guys have just stepped up and haven't missed a beat. It's getting close now so it will be all business from here on out."
By hitting the game field for the first time, the Blue Raiders flashed a little more intensity today knowing a possible bowl win was just around the corner. The team has remained focus but it was easy to tell a different sense of urgency today as kickoff approaches.
"This is a special place and a special moment for all these guys," added Tyrone Nix, defensive coordinator. "Our kids have retained a lot and know what's at stake and I expect a great performance on Thursday. The most important thing now is to take care of their bodies, hydrate and mentally prepare for the biggest game of the year."
Following practice, a select group of Blue Raiders headed to the Ranfurly Children's Home in Nassau to visit with the homes' youth before following them over to the A.L. Davies Practice Field for a youth clinic to share the game of American football in the Bahamas. MT and Western Michigan both took part in the event.
The Blue Raiders will have a light walk-thru on Wednesday, along with a press conference and a team photo, while wrapping up the day with a pair of team meetings. The Bahamas Bowl LIVE radio show will air at 5 PM Eastern from the Atlantis Hotel.
Middle Tennessee Defensive Quotes
Tyrone Nix, Defensive Coordinator
Our kids have really retained a lot from the trip over. They've flown around well. When the game starts, it's going to be the same regardless of what country we're playing in. I think they know this is a special place and a special moment for them. I hope we have a special performance.
We had a two-three day layoff before we got here. It showed a little bit yesterday but all in all our kids understand that the most important thing is we take care of our bodies from here on out and mentally prepare for the most important game of the year.
It's been a blessing to be able to see a different part of the world. The smiles and the happiness on our kids' faces has probably been my greatest joy this week. Hopefully we can make this the most memorable moment of their lives.
Steven Rhodes, Jr., Defensive End
On the way down I was just wondering what it (the Bahamas) was going to look like. It looks just like it does on TV. I was excited, like a kid in a candy store. Excited to get out here and ultimately achieve our goal of winning. We're definitely in good shape. We've been practicing hard and we're coming to win. It's been a good experience.
The most interesting thing I've seen is just Atlantis as a whole. It's beautiful. It really is. I was just ready to come down here and experience it.
Kevin Byard, Sr., Free Safety
I think the scenery is awesome. It's the Bahamas. You've got the palm trees out here and I think the field is definitely a good field to play on. On TV, it's going to look like any other field we play on. Definitely great scenery.
It's been awesome. It's like a Wonderland. Atlantis is a great place. The water slides are awesome, the beach is awesome. Everything is awesome so I'm just out here having the time of my life. This is my first time out of the country. First time using my passport.
Right when we were about to land you started seeing the green and blue water. It was exciting. Couldn't wait to get off the plane. I wanted to get on a jet ski. I'll probably try the water slide again or hit the spa before we leave.
The game will get underway on Thursday at 11 AM Central and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN with Steve Levy, Mark May, Mack Brown and Kaylee Hartung calling the action.
Middle Tennessee continued to sharpen its game-plan while paying special attention to special teams.
"I thought we had a great practice today with people flying around and playing with energy," said senior Kevin Byard. "We have been enjoying ourselves but we know when it's time to focus and the guys have just stepped up and haven't missed a beat. It's getting close now so it will be all business from here on out."
By hitting the game field for the first time, the Blue Raiders flashed a little more intensity today knowing a possible bowl win was just around the corner. The team has remained focus but it was easy to tell a different sense of urgency today as kickoff approaches.
"This is a special place and a special moment for all these guys," added Tyrone Nix, defensive coordinator. "Our kids have retained a lot and know what's at stake and I expect a great performance on Thursday. The most important thing now is to take care of their bodies, hydrate and mentally prepare for the biggest game of the year."
Following practice, a select group of Blue Raiders headed to the Ranfurly Children's Home in Nassau to visit with the homes' youth before following them over to the A.L. Davies Practice Field for a youth clinic to share the game of American football in the Bahamas. MT and Western Michigan both took part in the event.
The Blue Raiders will have a light walk-thru on Wednesday, along with a press conference and a team photo, while wrapping up the day with a pair of team meetings. The Bahamas Bowl LIVE radio show will air at 5 PM Eastern from the Atlantis Hotel.
Middle Tennessee Defensive Quotes
Tyrone Nix, Defensive Coordinator
Our kids have really retained a lot from the trip over. They've flown around well. When the game starts, it's going to be the same regardless of what country we're playing in. I think they know this is a special place and a special moment for them. I hope we have a special performance.
We had a two-three day layoff before we got here. It showed a little bit yesterday but all in all our kids understand that the most important thing is we take care of our bodies from here on out and mentally prepare for the most important game of the year.
It's been a blessing to be able to see a different part of the world. The smiles and the happiness on our kids' faces has probably been my greatest joy this week. Hopefully we can make this the most memorable moment of their lives.
Steven Rhodes, Jr., Defensive End
On the way down I was just wondering what it (the Bahamas) was going to look like. It looks just like it does on TV. I was excited, like a kid in a candy store. Excited to get out here and ultimately achieve our goal of winning. We're definitely in good shape. We've been practicing hard and we're coming to win. It's been a good experience.
The most interesting thing I've seen is just Atlantis as a whole. It's beautiful. It really is. I was just ready to come down here and experience it.
Kevin Byard, Sr., Free Safety
I think the scenery is awesome. It's the Bahamas. You've got the palm trees out here and I think the field is definitely a good field to play on. On TV, it's going to look like any other field we play on. Definitely great scenery.
It's been awesome. It's like a Wonderland. Atlantis is a great place. The water slides are awesome, the beach is awesome. Everything is awesome so I'm just out here having the time of my life. This is my first time out of the country. First time using my passport.
Right when we were about to land you started seeing the green and blue water. It was exciting. Couldn't wait to get off the plane. I wanted to get on a jet ski. I'll probably try the water slide again or hit the spa before we leave.
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