Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders to honor 14 seniors Saturday
11/24/2017 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Not only will Middle Tennessee's 2017 season come to an end Saturday against Old Dominion, but 14 seniors will also be honored on senior day.
The class features men who've been through a lot for the Blue Raiders, and their success and impact on the program both on and off the field can't be denied.
In the last five years, they've been a part of a team that's recorded 34 wins, just three behind the all-time school record that was set by last year's class. All 14 members of the class will also leave Middle Tennessee with a degree in hand, and five already have one (Peter Bailey, Alex Dale, Lucas Hamilton, Myles Harges and Shane Tucker).
"There are a lot of good players in that senior class, guys that've played a lot of games," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's a small class numbers wise, but all those guys are going to leave here with a degree.
"I'm really proud of them, and I appreciate everything they've given to this program, to this university."
While the class has accomplished a lot, there's one more goal in reach. If the Blue Raiders get a win over Old Dominion on Saturday, they'll reach six wins and bowl eligibility for the sixth year in a row, meaning the senior class will leave being bowl eligible in all five years.
"If we can get this one here Saturday night, Conner Trent, Lucas Hamilton, those guys that have been here five years, they can leave and say they were bowl eligible their entire career," Stockstill said. "That's hard to do, especially with all they've gone through."
Saturday will be the last home game for some of Middle Tennessee's most notable players in recent memory.
Kicker Canon Rooker, who's nailed 13-of-16 field goals this season to move into ninth on MT's all-time list (29 made), will play in his 51st career game. He'll become the fifth Blue Raider to reach that mark, and if Middle Tennessee can reach a bowl and he plays, he'll be just the second player in program history to play in 52 games, joining Mike Caldwell.
"I don't know if excited is the best word, but [Saturday] will be bittersweet," Rooker said. "It's a surreal feeling, because all the hard work and everything we've put into it is finally coming to a close.
"I've learned how to become a man here. Coach Stockstill has taught us way more off the field than I could learn on the field. I'm very thankful for that."
Linebacker D.J. Sanders will break into the 50-games-played club Saturday, joining Rooker as the 14th Blue Raider to achieve that.
Not only has he grown as a player on the field, racking up 197 total tackles and forcing four fumbles in his career, but he's also grown as a man off the gridiron.
Sanders became a dad this season, putting the finishing touches on what's been an unforgettable four years at MT. He said he'll never forget the bonds and friendships he's created as a member of the Blue Raiders.
"I'm more mature and see life differently than when I was a freshman, and I see how I can affect people by the things I say and do and how I carry myself," he said. "It's a special brotherhood that we've created from our freshmen years until now. I've played with some special guys … and I really cherish the moments that we've had, all the wins, losses – everything."
While Saturday will be the last home game for the Blue Raider seniors, it may not be their last game for Middle Tennessee.
A win will ensure bowl eligibility, and it could propel them to another game. That makes a pretty good motivator for the Blue Raiders.
"I've learned a lot from them," junior safety Jovante Moffatt said, "so just seeing those guys leave is going to be a big moment for the locker room. We just hope that we can continue to get them another game."
Here are the 14 seniors who'll be honored Saturday:
Peter Bailey
Ricky Blair
Jim Cardwell
Alex Dale
Lucas Hamilton
Myles Harges
Malik Hawkins
Mike Minter
Canon Rooker
D.J. Sanders
Conner Trent
Shane Tucker
Jermel Walker
Charvarius Ward
The class features men who've been through a lot for the Blue Raiders, and their success and impact on the program both on and off the field can't be denied.
In the last five years, they've been a part of a team that's recorded 34 wins, just three behind the all-time school record that was set by last year's class. All 14 members of the class will also leave Middle Tennessee with a degree in hand, and five already have one (Peter Bailey, Alex Dale, Lucas Hamilton, Myles Harges and Shane Tucker).
"There are a lot of good players in that senior class, guys that've played a lot of games," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's a small class numbers wise, but all those guys are going to leave here with a degree.
"I'm really proud of them, and I appreciate everything they've given to this program, to this university."
While the class has accomplished a lot, there's one more goal in reach. If the Blue Raiders get a win over Old Dominion on Saturday, they'll reach six wins and bowl eligibility for the sixth year in a row, meaning the senior class will leave being bowl eligible in all five years.
"If we can get this one here Saturday night, Conner Trent, Lucas Hamilton, those guys that have been here five years, they can leave and say they were bowl eligible their entire career," Stockstill said. "That's hard to do, especially with all they've gone through."
Saturday will be the last home game for some of Middle Tennessee's most notable players in recent memory.
Kicker Canon Rooker, who's nailed 13-of-16 field goals this season to move into ninth on MT's all-time list (29 made), will play in his 51st career game. He'll become the fifth Blue Raider to reach that mark, and if Middle Tennessee can reach a bowl and he plays, he'll be just the second player in program history to play in 52 games, joining Mike Caldwell.
"I don't know if excited is the best word, but [Saturday] will be bittersweet," Rooker said. "It's a surreal feeling, because all the hard work and everything we've put into it is finally coming to a close.
"I've learned how to become a man here. Coach Stockstill has taught us way more off the field than I could learn on the field. I'm very thankful for that."
Linebacker D.J. Sanders will break into the 50-games-played club Saturday, joining Rooker as the 14th Blue Raider to achieve that.
Not only has he grown as a player on the field, racking up 197 total tackles and forcing four fumbles in his career, but he's also grown as a man off the gridiron.
Sanders became a dad this season, putting the finishing touches on what's been an unforgettable four years at MT. He said he'll never forget the bonds and friendships he's created as a member of the Blue Raiders.
"I'm more mature and see life differently than when I was a freshman, and I see how I can affect people by the things I say and do and how I carry myself," he said. "It's a special brotherhood that we've created from our freshmen years until now. I've played with some special guys … and I really cherish the moments that we've had, all the wins, losses – everything."
While Saturday will be the last home game for the Blue Raider seniors, it may not be their last game for Middle Tennessee.
A win will ensure bowl eligibility, and it could propel them to another game. That makes a pretty good motivator for the Blue Raiders.
"I've learned a lot from them," junior safety Jovante Moffatt said, "so just seeing those guys leave is going to be a big moment for the locker room. We just hope that we can continue to get them another game."
Here are the 14 seniors who'll be honored Saturday:
Peter Bailey
Ricky Blair
Jim Cardwell
Alex Dale
Lucas Hamilton
Myles Harges
Malik Hawkins
Mike Minter
Canon Rooker
D.J. Sanders
Conner Trent
Shane Tucker
Jermel Walker
Charvarius Ward
Players Mentioned
DE
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WR
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H
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OL
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LB
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LB
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S
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PK
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LB
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OL
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ATH
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CB
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CB
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