Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday night game presents challenges for MT
10/1/2018 6:00:00 PM | Football
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – After an emotional, come-from-behind victory over defending Conference USA champion Florida Atlantic in its conference opener, Middle Tennessee hits the road this week.
The Marshall Thundering Herd (3-1, 1-0) await the Blue Raiders (2-2, 1-0) for a special Friday night affair under the lights at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
"They're a really, really good football team," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "[Marshall head coach Doc Holiday] has done an excellent job at Marshall in the time that he's been there. They're always well-coached, and they do a good job. This year is no different."
The Friday night matchup means Middle Tennessee will have one less day to flush the exciting win over the preseason league favorite Owls and refocus on a tough Marshall squad.
Having one less day to rest will be tough for a Raider team that's dealt with injuries in the beginning of the season.
"We'll get some work on Thursday before we get on the plane, but that always presents a little bit of an organizational issue that you have to prepare for," Stockstill said. "It gives you one less day to get over your bumps and bruises from the previous game … but as long as our players do a good job of taking care of their bodies this week, getting treatment and staying off their legs as much as they can, I think we'll be fine."
Some of the Blue Raiders like that they had to shift to the Thundering Herd immediately after the emotional Saturday night.
"You can't hang on to wins or losses," redshirt senior linebacker Darius Harris said. "It's on to the next week after the game is over with. We celebrated and had a good win, now it's time to put it behind us and get on to the next game."
Not only will the Friday night matchup present its own challenges, but MT will have to deal with a team that's historically dominant at home.
The Herd are 156-33 all-time at Joan C. Edwards Stadium since it opened in 1991. Their .825 home winning percentage there ranks fifth best among all FBS teams at their current stadiums.
It's not just the team that makes it tough on opponents. Even the commute to Huntington can be tiresome.
"It's hard to get there, for one," Stockstill said. "You laugh, but places like that that are hard to get to makes it an added part of travel.
"It's going to be a great crowd, a lively crowd, and it'll be loud. We have to do a good job of mentally blocking all that out."
The Blue Raiders have never won a game in Huntington (0-4) and are just 2-5 all-time against Marshall.
They're hoping to change those fortunes this week, but plenty of hurdles will have to be crossed before kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday.
"If you lose one game in the conference, it's going to be tough to kind of get back into it," redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill said. "Obviously, we aren't focusing on last week, but using that momentum and carrying it over to a team that's going to be really good, I think that's good for us.
"I'm excited for it, and it's obviously a critical game in the East."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
The Marshall Thundering Herd (3-1, 1-0) await the Blue Raiders (2-2, 1-0) for a special Friday night affair under the lights at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
"They're a really, really good football team," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "[Marshall head coach Doc Holiday] has done an excellent job at Marshall in the time that he's been there. They're always well-coached, and they do a good job. This year is no different."
The Friday night matchup means Middle Tennessee will have one less day to flush the exciting win over the preseason league favorite Owls and refocus on a tough Marshall squad.
Having one less day to rest will be tough for a Raider team that's dealt with injuries in the beginning of the season.
"We'll get some work on Thursday before we get on the plane, but that always presents a little bit of an organizational issue that you have to prepare for," Stockstill said. "It gives you one less day to get over your bumps and bruises from the previous game … but as long as our players do a good job of taking care of their bodies this week, getting treatment and staying off their legs as much as they can, I think we'll be fine."
Some of the Blue Raiders like that they had to shift to the Thundering Herd immediately after the emotional Saturday night.
"You can't hang on to wins or losses," redshirt senior linebacker Darius Harris said. "It's on to the next week after the game is over with. We celebrated and had a good win, now it's time to put it behind us and get on to the next game."
Not only will the Friday night matchup present its own challenges, but MT will have to deal with a team that's historically dominant at home.
The Herd are 156-33 all-time at Joan C. Edwards Stadium since it opened in 1991. Their .825 home winning percentage there ranks fifth best among all FBS teams at their current stadiums.
It's not just the team that makes it tough on opponents. Even the commute to Huntington can be tiresome.
"It's hard to get there, for one," Stockstill said. "You laugh, but places like that that are hard to get to makes it an added part of travel.
"It's going to be a great crowd, a lively crowd, and it'll be loud. We have to do a good job of mentally blocking all that out."
The Blue Raiders have never won a game in Huntington (0-4) and are just 2-5 all-time against Marshall.
They're hoping to change those fortunes this week, but plenty of hurdles will have to be crossed before kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday.
"If you lose one game in the conference, it's going to be tough to kind of get back into it," redshirt senior quarterback Brent Stockstill said. "Obviously, we aren't focusing on last week, but using that momentum and carrying it over to a team that's going to be really good, I think that's good for us.
"I'm excited for it, and it's obviously a critical game in the East."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballBlue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - October 29th
Thursday, October 30
MTSU Football vs. Jacksonville State post-game press conference – 10/29/25
Thursday, October 30
MTSU Football vs. Jacksonville State post-game press conference – 10/29/25
Wednesday, October 29
Raider Report Game 8 - MTSU vs. Jacksonville State University
Tuesday, October 28
