Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Second bye comes at perfect time for ailing Raiders
11/9/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Thanks to a bit of a unique schedule, college football teams were granted two bye weeks this season for the first time since 2014.
After taking its first in Week 4, Middle Tennessee was granted its second this week, and it came just in time for head coach Rick Stockstill's bunch.
"We need it," the 14th-year head man said. "We're so beat up right now … we need it from a health standpoint. The schedule we've played and everything, it's been a grind."
The Blue Raiders have played a brutal schedule so far this season, by far the toughest in Conference USA, with three Power 5 conference teams, two of which — Michigan and Iowa — that've been in the AP Top 25 every week. They've also already faced some of the toughest competition C-USA has to offer in East Division co-leaders Florida Atlantic and Marshall, FIU, Charlotte and West Division preseason favorite North Texas.
"We've played some tough games this year," senior defensive tackle Malik Manciel said. "Our first few games were really tough, so that was a bye that we needed, and going down the stretch, we've played some good conference opponents.
"Right now, it really feels good to let your hair down and take a breath during the bye week."
Their tough road seems to be catching up with them.
If MT was to play this week, injuries would limit them drastically, according to Stockstill. Having a week to rest will do wonders for some of those bumps and bruises, though some players won't play the final three weeks of the regular season, regardless.
"If we played today, we'd have 25 scholarship players that we started the season with that wouldn't play," he said. "We needed this open date. It's helped these guys."
With three games remaining in the regular season, Middle Tennessee needs three wins to reach six victories and bowl eligibility for the eighth straight year and 11th in the last 14.
The margin for error is gone, and Stockstill isn't worried about how the Raiders get wins in their last three contests. He just wants them to find a way to get it done.
"We've got to win, that's the bottom line," he said. "It doesn't matter how, we've just got to find a way to win. That's the objective."
After a long season and some disappointment of late following a 34-20 loss at Charlotte, MT's first loss to the 49ers in five matchups all-time, having a tough bye week would almost be expected.
Stockstill's seen the opposite from his group, though.
The team practiced Tuesday and Wednesday before having just weights and conditioning on Thursday and Friday, while the coaches hit the road to get in some late-season recruiting. Stockstill said both practice sessions were met with intensity and fire — not surprising, considering the nature of the group.
"I've been really impressed," he said. "We've got a great attitude and a great work ethic, and they've come out every day with great energy and a great sense of purpose. I can't fault their effort one bit."
The Blue Raiders' seniors know what they have left to fight for. They've never missed a bowl berth, playing in four straight, a program record. Three wins will be the only way to get them into a fifth.
Having a bye to refocus on that goal seems to have been just what the doctor ordered.
"We're just trying to keep our morale high," Manciel said. "Attitude is infectious, so what I give out is hopefully going to affect someone else in a positive manner.
"We just have to put our head down and grind right now … and this is a good week to re-sharpen and refocus. Hopefully this will be good for everybody."
After taking its first in Week 4, Middle Tennessee was granted its second this week, and it came just in time for head coach Rick Stockstill's bunch.
"We need it," the 14th-year head man said. "We're so beat up right now … we need it from a health standpoint. The schedule we've played and everything, it's been a grind."
The Blue Raiders have played a brutal schedule so far this season, by far the toughest in Conference USA, with three Power 5 conference teams, two of which — Michigan and Iowa — that've been in the AP Top 25 every week. They've also already faced some of the toughest competition C-USA has to offer in East Division co-leaders Florida Atlantic and Marshall, FIU, Charlotte and West Division preseason favorite North Texas.
"We've played some tough games this year," senior defensive tackle Malik Manciel said. "Our first few games were really tough, so that was a bye that we needed, and going down the stretch, we've played some good conference opponents.
"Right now, it really feels good to let your hair down and take a breath during the bye week."
Their tough road seems to be catching up with them.
If MT was to play this week, injuries would limit them drastically, according to Stockstill. Having a week to rest will do wonders for some of those bumps and bruises, though some players won't play the final three weeks of the regular season, regardless.
"If we played today, we'd have 25 scholarship players that we started the season with that wouldn't play," he said. "We needed this open date. It's helped these guys."
With three games remaining in the regular season, Middle Tennessee needs three wins to reach six victories and bowl eligibility for the eighth straight year and 11th in the last 14.
The margin for error is gone, and Stockstill isn't worried about how the Raiders get wins in their last three contests. He just wants them to find a way to get it done.
"We've got to win, that's the bottom line," he said. "It doesn't matter how, we've just got to find a way to win. That's the objective."
After a long season and some disappointment of late following a 34-20 loss at Charlotte, MT's first loss to the 49ers in five matchups all-time, having a tough bye week would almost be expected.
Stockstill's seen the opposite from his group, though.
The team practiced Tuesday and Wednesday before having just weights and conditioning on Thursday and Friday, while the coaches hit the road to get in some late-season recruiting. Stockstill said both practice sessions were met with intensity and fire — not surprising, considering the nature of the group.
"I've been really impressed," he said. "We've got a great attitude and a great work ethic, and they've come out every day with great energy and a great sense of purpose. I can't fault their effort one bit."
The Blue Raiders' seniors know what they have left to fight for. They've never missed a bowl berth, playing in four straight, a program record. Three wins will be the only way to get them into a fifth.
Having a bye to refocus on that goal seems to have been just what the doctor ordered.
"We're just trying to keep our morale high," Manciel said. "Attitude is infectious, so what I give out is hopefully going to affect someone else in a positive manner.
"We just have to put our head down and grind right now … and this is a good week to re-sharpen and refocus. Hopefully this will be good for everybody."
MTSU Football Weekly Presser 11/4/25
Tuesday, November 04
Blue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - October 29th
Thursday, October 30
Blue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - October 29th - Football
Thursday, October 30
MTSU Football vs. Jacksonville State post-game press conference – 10/29/25
Thursday, October 30
