Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK – “It's always good to have connections anywhere in the world”
12/23/2022 11:44:00 AM | Football
Blue Raiders get their feet up on most open day of stay in Hawai‘i
HONOLULU, Hawai'i — Good morning, Blue Raider nation! For those of you in the mid-state, it's our understanding here in the Aloha State that y'all are waking up to snow on the ground. A White Christmas Winter Wonderland for many, I'm sure, but quite a contrast to the low 80s we've experienced in Honolulu this week.
Thursday was a "No Sweat" Thursday, as it typically is in MTSU's practice schedule. With only a short practice in the morning on the itinerary, the Blue Raiders were free to make the most of the afternoon, whether that be relaxing at the Sheraton Waikiki's pair of lovely pools, walking along the beach, shopping and dining at the many businesses up Kalākaua Ave or, as Rick Stockstill suggested at the end of practice on Thursday, just keeping their feet up.
It was the perfect time for a pause on all the great events set up for MTSU in Hawaii by the folks at the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl. I myself took a great walk down to Bailey's Antique and Aloha Shirts, which was well worth the trip to check out some of the vintage Aloha Shirts for sale. On my walk back, it was wonderful spotting so many of our guys enjoying the afternoon in Honolulu.
In today's notebook, a quick look at practice on Thursday, as well as some unique player and coaching stories I've learned throughout the week here in Oahu.
Final Practice at Farrington High School
A breezy practice at Farrington High School on Thursday morning was the Blue Raiders' final visit to the home of the Governors, with Friday's practice scheduled on the campus of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl will take place on Christmas Eve.
Both players and coaches alike brimmed with confidence coming off the field, as the scout and game plan for San Diego State has been honed and perfected over a number of weeks. Other, perhaps more subtle adjustments, like getting used to playing in warm weather again, have also be accomplished.
"Each week you're going to face a different defense, so I feel like it's nothing new," wide receiver Jaylin Lane said. "We've had the most time to prepare for a team that we've had all year, so I feel very confident in what can do."
Defensive lineman Zaylin Wood also echoed that confidence, while giving a shoutout to an underappreciated unit for getting them ready for SDSU dual threat QB Jalen Mayden.
"They've been doing a great job all year," Wood said. "We appreciate them boys. They probably don't know it, but I love them guys, I thank them. Because without them, we wouldn't have anybody to give us a look."
ICYMI: Jan Worley honored ahead of retirement
Before the Luau on Wednesday, Rick Stockstill took the time in a team meeting to honor Senior Office Coordinator Jan Worley, who does so many of the little things behind the scenes to make MTSU Football work. Worley will be retiring after 33 years of service to others at MTSU.
Coaches Back in Paradise
In some ways, MTSU's last trip out to Hawai'i for the Hawai'i Bowl in 2016 was a long time ago. I was a sophomore in college, for instance, unknowingly watching the last winning season of Larry Fedora's tenure at UNC, while also catching a bit of the Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve.
Jordan Ferguson and Chase Cunningham both watched the game at home too, knowing that next fall they would be Blue Raiders on the field with many of those guys.
But for several of the coaches and graduate assistants on MTSU's staff, they were living that 2016 Hawai'i Bowl. QB Coach Brent Stockstill and GAs I'Tavius Mathers and Marquice Shakir all started on Christmas Eve in 2016, while WR Coach Shane Tucker traveled as part of the roster after missing the season due to injury. Check them out then and now!
Stockstill and Mathers both stopped by after practice to talked about what's changed since their visit to the islands in 2016. The answer? On the islands, with the bowl, not a whole lot. A different stadium for the game is the biggest change, with Aloha Stadium condemned due to excessive rusting putting the stands at risk for collapse. But so much else about that trip excited both Stockstill and Mathers for seeing their players getting to experience it.
"Very excited for all the guys, (it's) really a once in the lifetime trip," Brent Stockstill said. "Just to be back and experience the island, all the fun stuff we get to do, and it's a reward for the season that they've had, it's pretty special and it's fun to be on other side of it as a coach now. Not much has changed, they take good care of you. "
Mathers does have extra duties as a GA, like calling roll on the buses and helping with odd jobs Director of Operations Brent Brock needs assistance with (like passing out Luau tickets in the form of wristbands. One other change the Blue Raiders will hope to make: the final outcome of the game. MTSU fell in the 2016 game to Hawai'i 52-35.
Jeremy Tate Jr. Returns to Oahu
One Blue Raider who REALLY hasn't seen much change in the islands since his last trip to Hawai'i is wide receiver Jeremy Tate Jr. Tate was a member of the Memphis Tigers in 2021, who were selected at the American Athletic Conference representative to the Hawai'i Bowl that year.
Tate made the trip out to take on Hawai'i, a game that was eventually cancelled due to what appeared at the time to be high COVID numbers with the Rainbow Warriors, but later turned out to be a player revolt in the locker room against head coach Todd Graham.
A year later, Tate is sparking old friendships with many of the Hawaiians he met last year, including MTSU's guide Bobo, who helped Memphis get around the island in 2021, and the athletic director at Farrington High School, where Memphis practiced that year. Tate and the AD took a picture together after practice on Tuesday.
"It's always good to have connections anywhere in the world, because you never know where you might end up," Tate said.
Around the World with Jaylin Lane
Jaylin Lane has been racking up the miles on his (metaphorical) credit card of late, traveling to both Australia and Hawai'i within the past month thanks to some adept planning, a family member abroad and a little bit of luck.
Lane took advantage of the time off after Thanksgiving to head west to Australia immediately following MTSU's win over FIU in Miami, a trip to visit his brother, BJ, who recently graduated from Hillsong College in Norwest, Australia, in addition to recently getting married.
"It was a double win, so we had to go out there and see him," Lane said.
The trip out to Australia stared with a flight from Miami to California, and then eventually a 15-hour flight to the Land Down Under. When his teammates started to balk a bit at the 10-hour flight from Tennessee to Hawai'i, Lane had enough experience to find the 10-hour flight much more bearable.
"A lot of people coming out here were talking about the 10-hour flight, I was like 'Nah, that's cake man.' Imagine being on that for five more hours," Lane said.
After his return flight following the bowl, Lane will have traveled over 27,000 miles in the air in the past month!
Gallery: (12-22-2022) @MT_FB Hawai'i Bowl Day 3
Thursday was a "No Sweat" Thursday, as it typically is in MTSU's practice schedule. With only a short practice in the morning on the itinerary, the Blue Raiders were free to make the most of the afternoon, whether that be relaxing at the Sheraton Waikiki's pair of lovely pools, walking along the beach, shopping and dining at the many businesses up Kalākaua Ave or, as Rick Stockstill suggested at the end of practice on Thursday, just keeping their feet up.
It was the perfect time for a pause on all the great events set up for MTSU in Hawaii by the folks at the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl. I myself took a great walk down to Bailey's Antique and Aloha Shirts, which was well worth the trip to check out some of the vintage Aloha Shirts for sale. On my walk back, it was wonderful spotting so many of our guys enjoying the afternoon in Honolulu.
In today's notebook, a quick look at practice on Thursday, as well as some unique player and coaching stories I've learned throughout the week here in Oahu.
Final Practice at Farrington High School
A breezy practice at Farrington High School on Thursday morning was the Blue Raiders' final visit to the home of the Governors, with Friday's practice scheduled on the campus of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl will take place on Christmas Eve.
Both players and coaches alike brimmed with confidence coming off the field, as the scout and game plan for San Diego State has been honed and perfected over a number of weeks. Other, perhaps more subtle adjustments, like getting used to playing in warm weather again, have also be accomplished.
"Each week you're going to face a different defense, so I feel like it's nothing new," wide receiver Jaylin Lane said. "We've had the most time to prepare for a team that we've had all year, so I feel very confident in what can do."
Defensive lineman Zaylin Wood also echoed that confidence, while giving a shoutout to an underappreciated unit for getting them ready for SDSU dual threat QB Jalen Mayden.
"They've been doing a great job all year," Wood said. "We appreciate them boys. They probably don't know it, but I love them guys, I thank them. Because without them, we wouldn't have anybody to give us a look."
Meetings. Practice. Staying focused and prepared. Game day is coming soon!#BLUEnited | #EATT pic.twitter.com/X5Cy8ra9G4
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) December 23, 2022
3️⃣ practices down and 1️⃣ to go.#BLUEnited | #EATT pic.twitter.com/XOnEty6bei
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) December 22, 2022
ICYMI: Jan Worley honored ahead of retirement
Before the Luau on Wednesday, Rick Stockstill took the time in a team meeting to honor Senior Office Coordinator Jan Worley, who does so many of the little things behind the scenes to make MTSU Football work. Worley will be retiring after 33 years of service to others at MTSU.
Yesterday @CoachStock presented Senior Office Coordinator Jan Worley with a plaque to thank her for 33 years of service to Middle Tennessee Football!
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) December 22, 2022
Thank you Ms. Jan! 👏#BLUEnited | #EATT pic.twitter.com/Ks5m0963ZA
There is not one person that represents the history and tradition of @MT_FB more that Jan Worley does! She is the standard and definition of #trueblue! Congratulations on your retirement! Love you Jan! https://t.co/RQfUkyAjh7
— Floyd Walker (@CoachFWalker) December 23, 2022
Coaches Back in Paradise
In some ways, MTSU's last trip out to Hawai'i for the Hawai'i Bowl in 2016 was a long time ago. I was a sophomore in college, for instance, unknowingly watching the last winning season of Larry Fedora's tenure at UNC, while also catching a bit of the Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve.
Jordan Ferguson and Chase Cunningham both watched the game at home too, knowing that next fall they would be Blue Raiders on the field with many of those guys.
But for several of the coaches and graduate assistants on MTSU's staff, they were living that 2016 Hawai'i Bowl. QB Coach Brent Stockstill and GAs I'Tavius Mathers and Marquice Shakir all started on Christmas Eve in 2016, while WR Coach Shane Tucker traveled as part of the roster after missing the season due to injury. Check them out then and now!
Four members of our 2022 coaching staff were players for the 2016 @HawaiiBowl! (2/2)@BrentStockstill was 30-for-51 with 432 yards and 4 TDs in '16. @Coach_Shugg made the trip but was limited with an injury. Now, Stockstill coaches quarterbacks and Tucker coaches wide receivers. pic.twitter.com/9RTPhZG9p8
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) December 23, 2022
Stockstill and Mathers both stopped by after practice to talked about what's changed since their visit to the islands in 2016. The answer? On the islands, with the bowl, not a whole lot. A different stadium for the game is the biggest change, with Aloha Stadium condemned due to excessive rusting putting the stands at risk for collapse. But so much else about that trip excited both Stockstill and Mathers for seeing their players getting to experience it.
"Very excited for all the guys, (it's) really a once in the lifetime trip," Brent Stockstill said. "Just to be back and experience the island, all the fun stuff we get to do, and it's a reward for the season that they've had, it's pretty special and it's fun to be on other side of it as a coach now. Not much has changed, they take good care of you. "
Mathers does have extra duties as a GA, like calling roll on the buses and helping with odd jobs Director of Operations Brent Brock needs assistance with (like passing out Luau tickets in the form of wristbands. One other change the Blue Raiders will hope to make: the final outcome of the game. MTSU fell in the 2016 game to Hawai'i 52-35.
Jeremy Tate Jr. Returns to Oahu
One Blue Raider who REALLY hasn't seen much change in the islands since his last trip to Hawai'i is wide receiver Jeremy Tate Jr. Tate was a member of the Memphis Tigers in 2021, who were selected at the American Athletic Conference representative to the Hawai'i Bowl that year.
Tate made the trip out to take on Hawai'i, a game that was eventually cancelled due to what appeared at the time to be high COVID numbers with the Rainbow Warriors, but later turned out to be a player revolt in the locker room against head coach Todd Graham.
A year later, Tate is sparking old friendships with many of the Hawaiians he met last year, including MTSU's guide Bobo, who helped Memphis get around the island in 2021, and the athletic director at Farrington High School, where Memphis practiced that year. Tate and the AD took a picture together after practice on Tuesday.
"It's always good to have connections anywhere in the world, because you never know where you might end up," Tate said.
Around the World with Jaylin Lane
Jaylin Lane has been racking up the miles on his (metaphorical) credit card of late, traveling to both Australia and Hawai'i within the past month thanks to some adept planning, a family member abroad and a little bit of luck.
Lane took advantage of the time off after Thanksgiving to head west to Australia immediately following MTSU's win over FIU in Miami, a trip to visit his brother, BJ, who recently graduated from Hillsong College in Norwest, Australia, in addition to recently getting married.
"It was a double win, so we had to go out there and see him," Lane said.
The trip out to Australia stared with a flight from Miami to California, and then eventually a 15-hour flight to the Land Down Under. When his teammates started to balk a bit at the 10-hour flight from Tennessee to Hawai'i, Lane had enough experience to find the 10-hour flight much more bearable.
"A lot of people coming out here were talking about the 10-hour flight, I was like 'Nah, that's cake man.' Imagine being on that for five more hours," Lane said.
After his return flight following the bowl, Lane will have traveled over 27,000 miles in the air in the past month!
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