Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Football tackles short week before traveling to Charlotte
9/20/2021 5:00:00 PM | General
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee football looks to bounce back after a tough conference opener at UTSA last week when it heads to Charlotte to face the 49ers on Friday. The game will kick off at 5:30 p.m. central time in the Queen City, with TV coverage on CBSSN.
Friday games have become a staple in modern college football, where game times are often dictated by TV contracts more than other factors. In this case, it creates a short week for the Blue Raiders to prepare for the 2-1 49ers, who are coming off a loss to Georgia State this past Saturday.
"You've got to take this into consideration in the last couple weeks from a physical standpoint, and we've had two really physical away games," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "You want to be prepared to play the game mentally as well as physically, but you've also got to get there fresh.
"Monday is our normal day off. There's so many class conflicts on Monday that we're having to go here later tonight," Stockstill elaborated. "Tuesday will be the same, Wednesday becomes Thursday, Thursday becomes Friday. We'll play Friday and then Saturday will be their day off for the week."
Charlotte knocked off Duke to open the season, and has gotten off to a fairly hot start in Coach Will Healy's second year at the helm. Stockstill highlighted that the defense features a plethora of transfers in the starting 11, while quarterback Chris Reynolds will be the third straight dual-threat quarterback the Blue Raiders will face on their three-game road trip.
"Their quarterback is a great athlete," safety Reed Blankenship said. "He's been a great athlete, he can get the ball down the field. Once he starts moving, he's a tough kid. They've got some good skill position guys."
The 49ers struggled on the road last weekend in Atlanta, falling 20-9 to Georgia State. The Panthers rushed for 298 yards on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards a carry. An opportunity for the Middle Tennessee run game to get going after a slow start to the season.
"The defensive line upon the snap of the ball shifts a lot along with the linebackers, so we've been keying into that since last week, just trying to define the little things," running back Amir Rasul said. "When they move the line, they usually move it to the side of the back, that'll be crucial for us to keep looking at that."
Middle Tennessee Football Participates in CURE MD Week
In partnership with the American Football Coaches Association and Parent Project MD, Coach Rick Stockstill and the Middle Tennessee coaching staff will wear special arm patches in honor of the AFCA's Coach to Cure MD program, sponsored by Werner Ladder.
This is the 14th year coaches around the country join together to raise funding and awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The program has raised more than $1.2 million over the last 10 years, and in 2020, more than 10,000 coaches at 600 colleges at all levels participated.
Fans are encouraged to donate by texting "CURE" to 501501 to donate $25 or visiting www.CoachtoCureMD.org.
Cross Country continues strong start in Nashville
The Men's Cross Country team earned its first meet win of the season last Friday, earning 57 points and winning a tiebreaker over Kentucky at the Commodore Classic to take home first place honors. Hillary Kimaiyo (24:51.2) led the way for the Blue Raiders with a third place finish, while Lebo Mosito (24:54.1) also finished in the top-five with a fifth place run.
In the women's meet, the Blue Raiders took home fourth place in the event hosted by Vanderbilt. Eusila Chepkemei was the top finisher for MT with a fifth place run of 17:41.24.
Volleyball Splits in Sunshine State, Soccer Splits to open C-USA play
After missing two straight weekends of action due to COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing, Middle Tennessee Volleyball jumped back into action in Jacksonville, Fla. last weekend, splitting their two games at North Florida. The weekend was highlighted by a reverse sweep of Seton Hall in the team's final game, where the Blue Raiders battled back from an early 2-0 set deficit to win 3-2.
Redshirt junior Emma Grever and redshirt freshman Melisa Nur Temiz earned UNF Sunshine Tournament all-tournament team honors at outside hitter. Grever tallied 29 kills across the Blue Raiders' two games including a career-high 18 on a .310 attack percentage against the Pirates, while Temiz earned six service aces in the final three sets to help power MT to victory over Seton Hall. The Istanbul, Turkey native leads C-USA in service aces per set ahead of this weekend's opening C-USA games, and is 13th in the nation at 0.61 per set.
Volleyball will open conference play at home this weekend with a two-day doubleheader with Charlotte.
On the pitch, MT Soccer split their opening two games of the C-USA slate, defeating FIU in overtime at home last Thursday before falling on the road to Western Kentucky on Sunday.
Thursday night's win was highlighted by Alex Goffi's first career goal off a free kick late in extra time. The sophomore took a swing from nearly 40 yards out that sailed over the wall and past the Panthers' keep, earning the Blue Raiders the golden goal to start their C-USA campaign with three points.
C-USA continues this weekend for MT with a home match against Old Dominion on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
2021 Blackout T-Shirt Pickup
Fans can be ready for the 2021 Annual Blackout game when MT returns home on Oct. 2 against the Marshall Thundering Herd, with kickoff scheduled at 6 p.m. on Stadium.
The official Middle Tennessee Blackout ticket/t-shirt package has been available to the public online since Monday, Sept. 13 and at various Murfreesboro retail locations starting Thursday, Sept. 16.
Fans who have purchased their package online using promo code "BLACKOUT2021" will be able to pick up their t-shirts through a drive thru pick up in the Greenland Drive parking lot. The drive thru will operate during the following dates:
Tuesday, Sept. 21 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Wednesday, Sept. 22 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 23 (4–6 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 30 (4–6 p.m.)
More information on the Blackout package can be found here
Dance Team Kids Clinic is back!
The MT Dance Team is once again excited to offer its Kids Clinic in 2021! This year's clinic will take place from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ahead of the Blue Raiders' game with Marshall. Attendees will receive a t-shirt and a ticket to that night's game, as well as the opportunity to join the dance team on the field for a performance!
The cost of the clinic is $50 pp. More information, and sign-ups, can be found here.
Friday games have become a staple in modern college football, where game times are often dictated by TV contracts more than other factors. In this case, it creates a short week for the Blue Raiders to prepare for the 2-1 49ers, who are coming off a loss to Georgia State this past Saturday.
"You've got to take this into consideration in the last couple weeks from a physical standpoint, and we've had two really physical away games," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "You want to be prepared to play the game mentally as well as physically, but you've also got to get there fresh.
"Monday is our normal day off. There's so many class conflicts on Monday that we're having to go here later tonight," Stockstill elaborated. "Tuesday will be the same, Wednesday becomes Thursday, Thursday becomes Friday. We'll play Friday and then Saturday will be their day off for the week."
Charlotte knocked off Duke to open the season, and has gotten off to a fairly hot start in Coach Will Healy's second year at the helm. Stockstill highlighted that the defense features a plethora of transfers in the starting 11, while quarterback Chris Reynolds will be the third straight dual-threat quarterback the Blue Raiders will face on their three-game road trip.
"Their quarterback is a great athlete," safety Reed Blankenship said. "He's been a great athlete, he can get the ball down the field. Once he starts moving, he's a tough kid. They've got some good skill position guys."
The 49ers struggled on the road last weekend in Atlanta, falling 20-9 to Georgia State. The Panthers rushed for 298 yards on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards a carry. An opportunity for the Middle Tennessee run game to get going after a slow start to the season.
"The defensive line upon the snap of the ball shifts a lot along with the linebackers, so we've been keying into that since last week, just trying to define the little things," running back Amir Rasul said. "When they move the line, they usually move it to the side of the back, that'll be crucial for us to keep looking at that."
Middle Tennessee Football Participates in CURE MD Week
In partnership with the American Football Coaches Association and Parent Project MD, Coach Rick Stockstill and the Middle Tennessee coaching staff will wear special arm patches in honor of the AFCA's Coach to Cure MD program, sponsored by Werner Ladder.
This is the 14th year coaches around the country join together to raise funding and awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The program has raised more than $1.2 million over the last 10 years, and in 2020, more than 10,000 coaches at 600 colleges at all levels participated.
Fans are encouraged to donate by texting "CURE" to 501501 to donate $25 or visiting www.CoachtoCureMD.org.
Cross Country continues strong start in Nashville
The Men's Cross Country team earned its first meet win of the season last Friday, earning 57 points and winning a tiebreaker over Kentucky at the Commodore Classic to take home first place honors. Hillary Kimaiyo (24:51.2) led the way for the Blue Raiders with a third place finish, while Lebo Mosito (24:54.1) also finished in the top-five with a fifth place run.
In the women's meet, the Blue Raiders took home fourth place in the event hosted by Vanderbilt. Eusila Chepkemei was the top finisher for MT with a fifth place run of 17:41.24.
Way to go guys!! https://t.co/pSdSIU5Ek4
— Chris Massaro (@ChrisMassaroAD) September 17, 2021
Volleyball Splits in Sunshine State, Soccer Splits to open C-USA play
After missing two straight weekends of action due to COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing, Middle Tennessee Volleyball jumped back into action in Jacksonville, Fla. last weekend, splitting their two games at North Florida. The weekend was highlighted by a reverse sweep of Seton Hall in the team's final game, where the Blue Raiders battled back from an early 2-0 set deficit to win 3-2.
Redshirt junior Emma Grever and redshirt freshman Melisa Nur Temiz earned UNF Sunshine Tournament all-tournament team honors at outside hitter. Grever tallied 29 kills across the Blue Raiders' two games including a career-high 18 on a .310 attack percentage against the Pirates, while Temiz earned six service aces in the final three sets to help power MT to victory over Seton Hall. The Istanbul, Turkey native leads C-USA in service aces per set ahead of this weekend's opening C-USA games, and is 13th in the nation at 0.61 per set.
Volleyball will open conference play at home this weekend with a two-day doubleheader with Charlotte.
✌️ out 𝒮𝓊𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓉𝑒#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/SOvC1H6T96
— MT Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) September 18, 2021
On the pitch, MT Soccer split their opening two games of the C-USA slate, defeating FIU in overtime at home last Thursday before falling on the road to Western Kentucky on Sunday.
Thursday night's win was highlighted by Alex Goffi's first career goal off a free kick late in extra time. The sophomore took a swing from nearly 40 yards out that sailed over the wall and past the Panthers' keep, earning the Blue Raiders the golden goal to start their C-USA campaign with three points.
C-USA continues this weekend for MT with a home match against Old Dominion on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
First career goal and the game-winner?! Have a night @AlexGoffi! Also, dog piles definitely make it better! 😏👏#BlueRaiders | #MT pic.twitter.com/QIJEJBuSfa
— MT Soccer (@MT_Soccer) September 17, 2021
2021 Blackout T-Shirt Pickup
Fans can be ready for the 2021 Annual Blackout game when MT returns home on Oct. 2 against the Marshall Thundering Herd, with kickoff scheduled at 6 p.m. on Stadium.
The official Middle Tennessee Blackout ticket/t-shirt package has been available to the public online since Monday, Sept. 13 and at various Murfreesboro retail locations starting Thursday, Sept. 16.
Fans who have purchased their package online using promo code "BLACKOUT2021" will be able to pick up their t-shirts through a drive thru pick up in the Greenland Drive parking lot. The drive thru will operate during the following dates:
Tuesday, Sept. 21 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Wednesday, Sept. 22 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 23 (4–6 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 30 (4–6 p.m.)
More information on the Blackout package can be found here
Dance Team Kids Clinic is back!
The MT Dance Team is once again excited to offer its Kids Clinic in 2021! This year's clinic will take place from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ahead of the Blue Raiders' game with Marshall. Attendees will receive a t-shirt and a ticket to that night's game, as well as the opportunity to join the dance team on the field for a performance!
The cost of the clinic is $50 pp. More information, and sign-ups, can be found here.
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