Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
After short break, Raiders readying for New Orleans
12/10/2018 4:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee got back onto the practice field Friday to prepare for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, where it'll meet former FCS powerhouse Appalachian State.
In the first few days of bowl preparation, MT head coach Rick Stockstill has liked the freshness his guys have run around with.
"We were gone recruiting last week and gave them four days off," he said. "It gave them a chance to get off their legs a little bit. I think that was good for them."
The Blue Raiders (8-5) will go to the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday for the second time. Waiting for them will be the Mountaineers (10-2), a team that's gone from an FCS power to FBS conference dynamo in just five seasons.
"They're a really good football team," Stockstill said. "They're very talented and fast and have one of the best defenses we've faced this year.
"It's a 10-win team … and App State has a great tradition. We understand how talented this team is that we're playing."
Appalachian State has been simply unstoppable since moving from the FCS to FBS prior to the 2014 season.
After not being eligible for postseason play in 2014 due to NCAA rules, the Mountaineers have rattled off three Sun Belt Conference championships (two shared, sole possession in 2018) in a row and three straight bowl wins. They're the only FBS team to have three bowl victories in their first three bowl-eligible seasons.
The former three-time FCS national champions have also won 40 games since the beginning of the 2015 season, tied for seventh nationally.
This season, Appalachian State's 10 wins have come thanks to a stingy defense that's statistically one of the nation's best, ranking in the top 10 in scoring, yards allowed, passing yards allowed, three-and-out percentage and first downs allowed.
"They have great team speed and have good size up front," Stockstill said. "They'll be one of the fastest teams we've played."
Since it played in the Conference USA championship on Dec. 1, Middle Tennessee has limited time to get ready for this year's bowl game.
The 14 days separating the title bout and New Orleans Bowl represent the shortest turnaround the Blue Raiders have ever had for a bowl. The previous shortest was last year's 21 days between the regular-season finale and Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, a 35-30 MT victory.
Having such a short amount of time has thrown a few difficulties Middle Tennessee's way.
"Part of me wishes we had a little more time because we could get a little more done recruiting," Stockstill said. "Part of me is glad we got a chance to get out here and practice and get that taste out of our mouth [from the C-USA title game]. So, it's kind of a mixed bag."
While some new challenges will be faced leading up to Saturday's game, the New Orleans Bowl is nothing the Blue Raider program hasn't confronted before.
In 2009, MT finished maybe the best season in school history with a 42-32 win over Southern Miss in the then-called Louisiana Superdome, clinching a 10-3 record and first bowl victory in its FBS era.
The Raiders are hoping to create a similar memory come Saturday night.
"We won, so that's a great memory," Stockstill said. "The New Orleans Bowl people do a fantastic job, and it's a fun environment to play in at the Superdome. It's a first-class bowl ... and we're excited for the challenge."
Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Fans needing to purchase tickets can do so by going through the Middle Tennessee ticket office (615-898-5261) or logging onto GoBlueRaiders.com. For every ticket purchased, you will receive a complimentary 2018 Bowl Bound shirt. If you are unable to make it to New Orleans, you can still purchase tickets and they will be donated to the local military.
The ticket office is open Monday thru Friday from 8 AM until 5:30 PM.
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.
In the first few days of bowl preparation, MT head coach Rick Stockstill has liked the freshness his guys have run around with.
"We were gone recruiting last week and gave them four days off," he said. "It gave them a chance to get off their legs a little bit. I think that was good for them."
The Blue Raiders (8-5) will go to the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday for the second time. Waiting for them will be the Mountaineers (10-2), a team that's gone from an FCS power to FBS conference dynamo in just five seasons.
"They're a really good football team," Stockstill said. "They're very talented and fast and have one of the best defenses we've faced this year.
"It's a 10-win team … and App State has a great tradition. We understand how talented this team is that we're playing."
Appalachian State has been simply unstoppable since moving from the FCS to FBS prior to the 2014 season.
After not being eligible for postseason play in 2014 due to NCAA rules, the Mountaineers have rattled off three Sun Belt Conference championships (two shared, sole possession in 2018) in a row and three straight bowl wins. They're the only FBS team to have three bowl victories in their first three bowl-eligible seasons.
The former three-time FCS national champions have also won 40 games since the beginning of the 2015 season, tied for seventh nationally.
This season, Appalachian State's 10 wins have come thanks to a stingy defense that's statistically one of the nation's best, ranking in the top 10 in scoring, yards allowed, passing yards allowed, three-and-out percentage and first downs allowed.
"They have great team speed and have good size up front," Stockstill said. "They'll be one of the fastest teams we've played."
Since it played in the Conference USA championship on Dec. 1, Middle Tennessee has limited time to get ready for this year's bowl game.
The 14 days separating the title bout and New Orleans Bowl represent the shortest turnaround the Blue Raiders have ever had for a bowl. The previous shortest was last year's 21 days between the regular-season finale and Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, a 35-30 MT victory.
Having such a short amount of time has thrown a few difficulties Middle Tennessee's way.
"Part of me wishes we had a little more time because we could get a little more done recruiting," Stockstill said. "Part of me is glad we got a chance to get out here and practice and get that taste out of our mouth [from the C-USA title game]. So, it's kind of a mixed bag."
While some new challenges will be faced leading up to Saturday's game, the New Orleans Bowl is nothing the Blue Raider program hasn't confronted before.
In 2009, MT finished maybe the best season in school history with a 42-32 win over Southern Miss in the then-called Louisiana Superdome, clinching a 10-3 record and first bowl victory in its FBS era.
The Raiders are hoping to create a similar memory come Saturday night.
"We won, so that's a great memory," Stockstill said. "The New Orleans Bowl people do a fantastic job, and it's a fun environment to play in at the Superdome. It's a first-class bowl ... and we're excited for the challenge."
Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Fans needing to purchase tickets can do so by going through the Middle Tennessee ticket office (615-898-5261) or logging onto GoBlueRaiders.com. For every ticket purchased, you will receive a complimentary 2018 Bowl Bound shirt. If you are unable to make it to New Orleans, you can still purchase tickets and they will be donated to the local military.
The ticket office is open Monday thru Friday from 8 AM until 5:30 PM.
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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