Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Basketball is Back in the Murphy Center
11/8/2021 5:00:00 PM | Football, General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — November is always an exciting time where I'm from on Tobacco Road, because that means that college basketball is ready to get underway. That's no different now that I've moved to the mid-state, as Middle Tennessee will officially open the 2021-22 season with a men's and women's doubleheader at the Murphy Center tomorrow, Tuesday, November 9.
Blue Raider fans will get their first look at Coach Nick McDevitt's men's basketball team, who've had a strong offseason integrating a plethora of newcomers to their existing rotation. The men will play Brescia University, an NAIA school out of Owensboro, Ky., in the opening game of the double header at 5 pm.
Following the men's game, Coach Rick Insell's women's basketball team will play their official game of the season after winning both of their preseason exhibitions, taking on East Carolina out of the American Athletic Conference at 7:30 pm.
For the home opener, concession stands in the Murphy Center will be taking part in $2 Tuesdays. Hot dogs, drinks and popcorn will be offered to fans at just $2 per item. Each team will also have a giveaway for their fans, with 250 Men's Basketball Schedule Posters and 250 Women's Basketball Schedule Magnets available on a first come, first serve basis.
Fans are also encouraged to support the Marines Toys 4 Tots Drive by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate. Bins will be set up around the Murphy Center to accept your generous donation to a kid in need.
Tickets are still available for each contest. Contact the ticket office at 615-898-5261 or email tickets@mtsu.edu to get more information.
39th Annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game Set for This Weekend
Rick Stockstill knows the three hours his team plays in the annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game pales in comparison to the hours of sacrifices our servicemen and servicewomen protecting our country. But that makes the event of the game all the more important to the veteran head coach.
"When they go to work, they lay their life on the line for me, for us, for this country," Stockstill said. "Three hours of recognizing them is not near enough for what they deserve. I wish we could do it every game, I wish we could do something every day of the year to recognize the men and women to recognize them, some of them who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of defending this country."
A long tradition on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University returns once again this Saturday, when the Blue Raider football team takes on FIU at 2:30 pm. The game will merely be the main event of a weekend filled with opportunities to honor and support all six service branches.
The events of the day will start with the Veterans' Memorial Service in front of the Tom Jackson Building at 11 am, followed by a Pregame Picnic for Veterans, Current Service Members, and their families on Kennon Sports Hall of Fame Lawn at noon. There will be free food and drinks, and live music courtesy of the 129th Army Band. This is also where Veterans, Current Service Members and their families can pick up their complimentary ticket to the game.
Closer to the stadium, the "Remembering Our Fallen" National Memorial will be displayed outside of Gate 3 throughout the weekend. Remembering Our Fallen is a photographic war memorial that honors our country's military Fallen from The War on Terror (9/11/2001 – Present).
During the game, the annual halftime salute from the Band of Blue will take place on the field. Veterans and current armed forces members are invited to gather at the Gate 2 tunnel with five minutes left in the second quarter to participate in the march on field during the salute.
As for the Blue Raiders themselves, the football team will wear special helmets for that weekend's games to honor our nation's military, with details to be revealed later this week.
On the field, MT will look to get back on the right foot against the 1-8 Panthers, who have dropped eight games in a row since opening the season with a win over FCS LIU.
Soccer closes out season, DePriest's career in C-USA Tournament
The Blue Raiders fell just short in Boca Raton, falling 2-1 on Friday in the C-USA Tournament semifinals to eventual conference champion Old Dominion. But Middle Tennessee did not leave the Sunshine State without some shining moments for the program.
Their quarterfinal win over Rice was filled with dramatics, as the Blue Raiders took the game to PKs and won in sudden death. Our Reed Seller captured the final minutes of the shootout.
With the loss, all-time MT great Peyton DePriest's career came to an end. The graduate student forward holds the C-USA record for most career goals and most career points, and was a four-time all conference selection.
Volleyball earns No. 2 seed in C-USA East, best program finish in C-USA
Following this weekend's games and the conclusion of the regular season, Middle Tennessee Volleyball finished the 2021 campaign at 6-4 in conference play, earning them the No. 2 seed out of the East Division in next weekend's C-USA Championship.
The Blue Raiders finished 6-6, but held the tiebreaker over FIU after sweeping the Panthers in Murfreesboro in October. The second place division finish is the highest regular season finish for Middle Tennessee since joining C-USA.
The Blue Raiders will face North Texas, the No. 3 seed out of the West Division, when the conference tournament starts on Friday, November 19.
"Mayor of Murfreesboro" Byard Shows Out in the Music City
All-time Blue Raider great Kevin Byard is continuing to show out for the Tennessee Titans, running back a pass from Matthew Stafford in prime time for his first career Pick-Six in primetime on Sunday Night football.
In his sixth year in the NFL, all with the Titans, the "Mayor of Murfreesboro" continues to put up great numbers. His Pick-Six on Sunday night was his fifth interception of the season. A two-time All C-USA safety during his time at MT, Byard has been named to two All-Pro teams (first team 2017, second team 2018) and one pro bowl during his career.
Blue Raider fans will get their first look at Coach Nick McDevitt's men's basketball team, who've had a strong offseason integrating a plethora of newcomers to their existing rotation. The men will play Brescia University, an NAIA school out of Owensboro, Ky., in the opening game of the double header at 5 pm.
Following the men's game, Coach Rick Insell's women's basketball team will play their official game of the season after winning both of their preseason exhibitions, taking on East Carolina out of the American Athletic Conference at 7:30 pm.
For the home opener, concession stands in the Murphy Center will be taking part in $2 Tuesdays. Hot dogs, drinks and popcorn will be offered to fans at just $2 per item. Each team will also have a giveaway for their fans, with 250 Men's Basketball Schedule Posters and 250 Women's Basketball Schedule Magnets available on a first come, first serve basis.
Fans are also encouraged to support the Marines Toys 4 Tots Drive by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate. Bins will be set up around the Murphy Center to accept your generous donation to a kid in need.
Tickets are still available for each contest. Contact the ticket office at 615-898-5261 or email tickets@mtsu.edu to get more information.
39th Annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game Set for This Weekend
Rick Stockstill knows the three hours his team plays in the annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game pales in comparison to the hours of sacrifices our servicemen and servicewomen protecting our country. But that makes the event of the game all the more important to the veteran head coach.
"When they go to work, they lay their life on the line for me, for us, for this country," Stockstill said. "Three hours of recognizing them is not near enough for what they deserve. I wish we could do it every game, I wish we could do something every day of the year to recognize the men and women to recognize them, some of them who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of defending this country."
A long tradition on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University returns once again this Saturday, when the Blue Raider football team takes on FIU at 2:30 pm. The game will merely be the main event of a weekend filled with opportunities to honor and support all six service branches.
The events of the day will start with the Veterans' Memorial Service in front of the Tom Jackson Building at 11 am, followed by a Pregame Picnic for Veterans, Current Service Members, and their families on Kennon Sports Hall of Fame Lawn at noon. There will be free food and drinks, and live music courtesy of the 129th Army Band. This is also where Veterans, Current Service Members and their families can pick up their complimentary ticket to the game.
Closer to the stadium, the "Remembering Our Fallen" National Memorial will be displayed outside of Gate 3 throughout the weekend. Remembering Our Fallen is a photographic war memorial that honors our country's military Fallen from The War on Terror (9/11/2001 – Present).
During the game, the annual halftime salute from the Band of Blue will take place on the field. Veterans and current armed forces members are invited to gather at the Gate 2 tunnel with five minutes left in the second quarter to participate in the march on field during the salute.
As for the Blue Raiders themselves, the football team will wear special helmets for that weekend's games to honor our nation's military, with details to be revealed later this week.
On the field, MT will look to get back on the right foot against the 1-8 Panthers, who have dropped eight games in a row since opening the season with a win over FCS LIU.
It's Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces week at Floyd Stadium, presented by your Mid-South Ford Dealers and the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) November 8, 2021
🎟 https://t.co/RyXLNPcKm3#BlueRaiders | #EATT pic.twitter.com/w4KgrA7FC1
Soccer closes out season, DePriest's career in C-USA Tournament
The Blue Raiders fell just short in Boca Raton, falling 2-1 on Friday in the C-USA Tournament semifinals to eventual conference champion Old Dominion. But Middle Tennessee did not leave the Sunshine State without some shining moments for the program.
Their quarterfinal win over Rice was filled with dramatics, as the Blue Raiders took the game to PKs and won in sudden death. Our Reed Seller captured the final minutes of the shootout.
Take another look at our C-USA Championship quarterfinal victory over No. 2 Rice in penalties from Wednesday, our first win in penalties since the 2010 season!#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/b7V0QYtDip
— MT Soccer (@MT_Soccer) November 4, 2021
With the loss, all-time MT great Peyton DePriest's career came to an end. The graduate student forward holds the C-USA record for most career goals and most career points, and was a four-time all conference selection.
It didn't end how we wanted it to, but what a career it was for @PeyDepriest. 👏@MT_Soccer | #BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/CxNJD48WFK
— MT Athletics (@MTAthletics) November 7, 2021
Volleyball earns No. 2 seed in C-USA East, best program finish in C-USA
Following this weekend's games and the conclusion of the regular season, Middle Tennessee Volleyball finished the 2021 campaign at 6-4 in conference play, earning them the No. 2 seed out of the East Division in next weekend's C-USA Championship.
The Blue Raiders finished 6-6, but held the tiebreaker over FIU after sweeping the Panthers in Murfreesboro in October. The second place division finish is the highest regular season finish for Middle Tennessee since joining C-USA.
The Blue Raiders will face North Texas, the No. 3 seed out of the West Division, when the conference tournament starts on Friday, November 19.
For the third year in a row, your Blue Raiders are heading to the @conferenceusa tournament! Their in-conference record earns them the No. 2 seed in the East, their highest conference finish since 2011!🔥😎#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/uVu1G9gpP0
— MT Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) November 7, 2021
"Mayor of Murfreesboro" Byard Shows Out in the Music City
All-time Blue Raider great Kevin Byard is continuing to show out for the Tennessee Titans, running back a pass from Matthew Stafford in prime time for his first career Pick-Six in primetime on Sunday Night football.
KB! TO THE HOUSE! 🙌#MiddleMade https://t.co/3hFSAEUnb7
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) November 8, 2021
What you know about the Mayor?! @KevinByard 😁 #TENvsLAR pic.twitter.com/R7RSWZ9Pkh
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 8, 2021
In his sixth year in the NFL, all with the Titans, the "Mayor of Murfreesboro" continues to put up great numbers. His Pick-Six on Sunday night was his fifth interception of the season. A two-time All C-USA safety during his time at MT, Byard has been named to two All-Pro teams (first team 2017, second team 2018) and one pro bowl during his career.
Players Mentioned
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