Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raider senior class one of program's best
11/21/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – One of the best senior classes in Middle Tennessee football history will get its turn in the senior-day spotlight on Saturday.
Along with winning plenty of awards and accolades, the class has had its hand at setting numerous program records and has made its head coach proud.
"This is a heck of a class," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "A lot of great players and great men in this class … and I'm appreciative of all their sacrifices for this program."
The Blue Raiders will recognize its 21 seniors before kickoff against Conference USA West Division champion UAB.
Included in the group of young men is the program's all-time leading passer, a player who's been a part of the Middle Tennessee football family since his dad was named head coach in December 2015.
Brent Stockstill has had a stellar career at his hometown school. The former Siegel High School star owns most career passing records at MT, and his 101 passing touchdowns rank tied for 23rd all-time in NCAA history and third in Conference USA history. His 11,542 passing yards are also seventh all-time in C-USA.
The southpaw has been named Honorable Mention All-C-USA three times and was the 2015 C-USA Freshman of the Year and a Second Team Freshman All-American. He's also been a nominee for the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team and was placed on several national award watch lists, including the Davey O'Brien, Maxwell, Manning and Weurffel Trophy.
Along with Brent Stockstill in this year's senior class are three of his most-trusted offensive linemen, Chandler Brewer, Carlos Johnson and Robert Behanan. They've started 86 combined games in front of their signal caller the past four years.
"We've all put a lot in this program," Brent Stockstill said. "We have a great group of seniors that have poured everything we have into this place. We've accomplished a lot and built upon the foundation that was laid here, but there's still work left to do."
With Brent Stockstill and his fellow seniors guiding the ship, MT's offense has tasted unprecedented success the past four years.
The Blue Raiders set program season records in 2015 and 2016 in multiple offensive categories, including total yards, scoring and passing yards.
Aside from the offensive records, this year's MT senior class reached maybe the biggest feat in program history this season.
With their Nov. 10 victory over UTEP, the Blue Raiders secured a bowl bid for the fourth year in a row, making his year's senior class the first in team history to play in four straight bowls.
"With the schedule we have to play every year, it's a great accomplishment," Rick Stockstill said. "I'm extremely proud of this class for everything they've done."
Middle Tennessee has posted a 21-10 record in Conference USA play the past four years combined, including a 6-1 mark this season.
Overall, the Blue Raiders have won 29 games the past four years. It's those good memories the senior class will take with it after this season comes to an end.
"We've been through a lot," senior linebacker Darius Harris said, "and we've really come together and worked well as a team. We have sacrificed a lot for each other … and it means a lot to play with guys that have put so much into the team and to be in the position that we are now."
Before the end comes, though, Middle Tennessee still has work to do. There's a C-USA title at stake, and Saturday's game against the Blazers is a must-win.
That makes the closing of the journey all the more exciting and memorable for the Blue Raider seniors.
"If you're still playing for something in week 12, that's special," Brent Stockstill said. "You can't ask for much more having the West Division champ coming to our place. It'll be a competitive game, and with it being senior night, it'll be special."
Middle Tennessee's 23 seniors are:
Robert Behanan
Matthew Bonadies
Chandler Brewer
Wesley Bush
Gatlin Casey
Rosheem Collins
Xavier Dupree
Joseph Freeland
Darius Harris
Cordell Hudson
Carlos Johnson
O.J. Johnson
Jahmal Jones
Darrius Liggins
Jack Mitchell
Darryl Randolph
Tavonn Salter
Patrick Smith
Brent Stockstill
Tavares Thomas
Ty Watkins
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.
Along with winning plenty of awards and accolades, the class has had its hand at setting numerous program records and has made its head coach proud.
"This is a heck of a class," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "A lot of great players and great men in this class … and I'm appreciative of all their sacrifices for this program."
The Blue Raiders will recognize its 21 seniors before kickoff against Conference USA West Division champion UAB.
Included in the group of young men is the program's all-time leading passer, a player who's been a part of the Middle Tennessee football family since his dad was named head coach in December 2015.
Brent Stockstill has had a stellar career at his hometown school. The former Siegel High School star owns most career passing records at MT, and his 101 passing touchdowns rank tied for 23rd all-time in NCAA history and third in Conference USA history. His 11,542 passing yards are also seventh all-time in C-USA.
The southpaw has been named Honorable Mention All-C-USA three times and was the 2015 C-USA Freshman of the Year and a Second Team Freshman All-American. He's also been a nominee for the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team and was placed on several national award watch lists, including the Davey O'Brien, Maxwell, Manning and Weurffel Trophy.
Along with Brent Stockstill in this year's senior class are three of his most-trusted offensive linemen, Chandler Brewer, Carlos Johnson and Robert Behanan. They've started 86 combined games in front of their signal caller the past four years.
"We've all put a lot in this program," Brent Stockstill said. "We have a great group of seniors that have poured everything we have into this place. We've accomplished a lot and built upon the foundation that was laid here, but there's still work left to do."
With Brent Stockstill and his fellow seniors guiding the ship, MT's offense has tasted unprecedented success the past four years.
The Blue Raiders set program season records in 2015 and 2016 in multiple offensive categories, including total yards, scoring and passing yards.
Aside from the offensive records, this year's MT senior class reached maybe the biggest feat in program history this season.
With their Nov. 10 victory over UTEP, the Blue Raiders secured a bowl bid for the fourth year in a row, making his year's senior class the first in team history to play in four straight bowls.
"With the schedule we have to play every year, it's a great accomplishment," Rick Stockstill said. "I'm extremely proud of this class for everything they've done."
Middle Tennessee has posted a 21-10 record in Conference USA play the past four years combined, including a 6-1 mark this season.
Overall, the Blue Raiders have won 29 games the past four years. It's those good memories the senior class will take with it after this season comes to an end.
"We've been through a lot," senior linebacker Darius Harris said, "and we've really come together and worked well as a team. We have sacrificed a lot for each other … and it means a lot to play with guys that have put so much into the team and to be in the position that we are now."
Before the end comes, though, Middle Tennessee still has work to do. There's a C-USA title at stake, and Saturday's game against the Blazers is a must-win.
That makes the closing of the journey all the more exciting and memorable for the Blue Raider seniors.
"If you're still playing for something in week 12, that's special," Brent Stockstill said. "You can't ask for much more having the West Division champ coming to our place. It'll be a competitive game, and with it being senior night, it'll be special."
Middle Tennessee's 23 seniors are:
Robert Behanan
Matthew Bonadies
Chandler Brewer
Wesley Bush
Gatlin Casey
Rosheem Collins
Xavier Dupree
Joseph Freeland
Darius Harris
Cordell Hudson
Carlos Johnson
O.J. Johnson
Jahmal Jones
Darrius Liggins
Jack Mitchell
Darryl Randolph
Tavonn Salter
Patrick Smith
Brent Stockstill
Tavares Thomas
Ty Watkins
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.
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