Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Raiders thankful for time together
11/25/2020 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It's easy to see what Middle Tennessee's football players are thankful for this season — they're finally getting a chance to be at home, and they get to eat.
Every year, the Blue Raiders have an opportunity on Thanksgiving to sit down with each other at a couple of long tables and share a meal. Players, coaches and football staff cherish the few hours they get to spend having conversations, enjoying each other's company and, of course, eating too much food.
"It makes us feel together and makes us feel like a family," redshirt junior defensive end Jordan Ferguson said. "I'm looking forward to the food and getting fat."
Getting a chance to enjoy time with one another is really special for the players. They usually don't get to go home for Thanksgiving, since they're in the middle of the season's stretch run. Gathering with their football family isn't a bad substitution.
"It's so awesome that we have that, because some of us are far from home," redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara said. "This is family for us, this team is our family. It's great to have a meal with them and sit together at a big table. We're lucky to be able to have that."
The Blue Raiders are particularly thankful this year to be home in Murfreesboro for the holiday.
They've played six of their nine games this season on the road. That much time away from the luxuries of home has been tough for the players, but they've grown stronger bonds because of it.
They haven't had a home game since Oct. 17 against North Texas, because their contest with Charlotte scheduled for Nov. 7 was postponed due to the 49ers having issues with COVID-19. In that time, MT has traveled to Rice, Marshall and Troy, totaling more than 3,000 miles of flights and bus rides.
The 42 days between home games in the longest single-season stretch in program history.
"It'll be good to get off that bus," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We haven't played our best ball at home this year, and it's time we do it. We need to play well this weekend, and I have a lot of confidence that we will. … It's just good to be at home."
In all reality, the opportunity to play their hard schedule filled with grueling road trips is still a blessing for the Raiders. There were times this offseason when they weren't sure they would even get to play at all, and now they're preparing for their 10th. They're one of only 19 teams nationally and three in Conference USA who've been able to get in at least nine games this season.
"We're just all blessed to be able to play football this year," Ferguson said. "We didn't know in August and September if we were going to be able to play, and now we're at game 10. It's a collective effort, and we're just feeling blessed."
Having a chance to play football this fall won't be left out when the Blue Raiders say what they're thankful for this year. It'll slip right in behind being thankful for the time they get to spend with each other and the delicious food they get to share.
"We come from everywhere … and to be able to spend time with people you love and care for, that's always special," senior linebacker DQ Thomas said. "I'm thankful for everything. I'm thankful for life today."
Every year, the Blue Raiders have an opportunity on Thanksgiving to sit down with each other at a couple of long tables and share a meal. Players, coaches and football staff cherish the few hours they get to spend having conversations, enjoying each other's company and, of course, eating too much food.
"It makes us feel together and makes us feel like a family," redshirt junior defensive end Jordan Ferguson said. "I'm looking forward to the food and getting fat."
Getting a chance to enjoy time with one another is really special for the players. They usually don't get to go home for Thanksgiving, since they're in the middle of the season's stretch run. Gathering with their football family isn't a bad substitution.
"It's so awesome that we have that, because some of us are far from home," redshirt junior quarterback Asher O'Hara said. "This is family for us, this team is our family. It's great to have a meal with them and sit together at a big table. We're lucky to be able to have that."
The Blue Raiders are particularly thankful this year to be home in Murfreesboro for the holiday.
They've played six of their nine games this season on the road. That much time away from the luxuries of home has been tough for the players, but they've grown stronger bonds because of it.
They haven't had a home game since Oct. 17 against North Texas, because their contest with Charlotte scheduled for Nov. 7 was postponed due to the 49ers having issues with COVID-19. In that time, MT has traveled to Rice, Marshall and Troy, totaling more than 3,000 miles of flights and bus rides.
The 42 days between home games in the longest single-season stretch in program history.
"It'll be good to get off that bus," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We haven't played our best ball at home this year, and it's time we do it. We need to play well this weekend, and I have a lot of confidence that we will. … It's just good to be at home."
In all reality, the opportunity to play their hard schedule filled with grueling road trips is still a blessing for the Raiders. There were times this offseason when they weren't sure they would even get to play at all, and now they're preparing for their 10th. They're one of only 19 teams nationally and three in Conference USA who've been able to get in at least nine games this season.
"We're just all blessed to be able to play football this year," Ferguson said. "We didn't know in August and September if we were going to be able to play, and now we're at game 10. It's a collective effort, and we're just feeling blessed."
Having a chance to play football this fall won't be left out when the Blue Raiders say what they're thankful for this year. It'll slip right in behind being thankful for the time they get to spend with each other and the delicious food they get to share.
"We come from everywhere … and to be able to spend time with people you love and care for, that's always special," senior linebacker DQ Thomas said. "I'm thankful for everything. I'm thankful for life today."
Players Mentioned
MTSU Football Signing Day Press Conference 12/3/25
Wednesday, December 03
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Sunday, November 30
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Raider Report Game 12 - MTSU vs. New Mexico State University
Friday, November 28
