Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Football returns to action on the road in Las Cruces this week
10/31/2023 4:59:00 PM | Football, General, Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, Track & Field/Cross Country
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — After the long layoff of a Tuesday night game heading into an open week, Middle Tennessee football appears rested and ready on the 13th day of an 18-day layoff ahead of Saturday night's game against New Mexico State.
The two-and-half week break brought on by getting a CUSA open week at the end of the conference's October of midweek games on national broadcasts came at a great time for MTSU, who will look to finish the season much stronger than it did in either of the Blue Raiders' first two months, going 1-3 in both September and October to enter the final four CUSA games on their schedule with a 2-6 record.
The good news for MTSU is that with their remaining opponents posting a combined record of 13-22, the Blue Raiders possess one of the weakest remaining schedules in college football as they strive to hit six wins and become bowl eligible. The bad news? The first opponent on the list off the bye is the 6-3 NMSU Aggies, who are in-line to play for a CUSA title in Year Two under Jerry Kill, thanks to a 4-1 start to CUSA play and great success on both sides of the ball.
"They're number two in scoring offense (in CUSA)," head coach Rick Stockstill said of the Aggies. "They're number three in scoring defense (in CUSA). They're playing really good football."
Stockstill said that his team made good use of the long layoff, both in his staff recruiting during the open week and in working in reps for some of the team's younger players during practice. More importantly, however, was the extra time afforded to get some players healthy.
"We've got a chance to get a couple back," Stockstill said. "But if we do get them back, they're going to be in a limited role. A lot of these guys have been hurt, three, four, five weeks, six weeks type of deal."
The stakes for MTSU have never been starker, needing to win out to even become bowl eligible in 2023. But quarterback Nicholas Vattiato knows that deficit has to be made up one weekend at a time in November.
"Coach Stock said it the day after Liberty," Vattiato said. "He said, 'You're not going to win four games all in one game.' New Mexico State is who we're playing Saturday. That's our complete focus, going 1-0."
Cross Country takes home both CUSA Titles
The Middle Tennessee men's and women's cross-country teams swept the Conference USA Championships held in Bowling Green at the Riverview Golf Course. The two titles on Saturday were the Blue Raiders' first in cross country since they swept in 2021.
"It's emotional to win both of them," said head coach Keith Vroman. "It's tough to do but we have done it three times in the last five years. It is the hardest thing to do."
The men's team placed their top four runners 3-4-5-6 to power their way to a comfortable victory in the men's division. Purity Sanga won the women's individual title as one of five Blue Raider women in the top 20.
Volleyball picks up two CUSA Player of the Week nods after sweeping UTEP in AMG
Senior Taylor Eisert was tabbed Conference USA Setter of the Week and sophomore Adri Rhoda was tabbed CUSA Offensive Player of the Week announced by the league office on Monday. These Conference USA honors followed a weekend where MTSU swept the season series with UTEP to take sole possession of second place in the CUSA standings.
Eisert totaled 87 assists in the two matches against the Miners this weekend. The Louisville, Ky. native averaged 12.43 assists per set. She added 10 digs as well. Eisert leads Conference USA in assists per set with 11.2. This is her fifth time earning this award this season.
Rhoda had an outstanding weekend against UTEP hitting the ball. The Hutchinson, Minn. native tallied 31 kills on a .444 hitting clip. She earned 4.43 kills per set. Rhoda is third in CUSA in kills per set earning 3.28.
Women's Basketball wraps up second exhibition of 2023
Middle Tennessee women's basketball showcased their offensive firepower on Monday in the Murphy Center, shooting 62.5 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from three on the way to a dominant 103-53 win over the University of the Cumberlands in the Lady Raiders' final exhibition of the 2023-24 season.
Anastasiia Boldyreva and Jalynn Gregory led all scorers with 24 points each, with Gregory making six three-pointers and Boldreva shooting 71.4 percent from the floor. Savannah Wheeler recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists while also adding in six rebounds.
Defensively, MTSU held the Patriots to just 36.8 percent shooting from the field, forcing UC into 22 turnovers, while scoring 29 points off of said turnovers. Ta'Mia Scott and Courtney Whitson led the way on defense with four steals apiece.
Monday night's game featured Cumberlands Head Coach Rick Reeves, who is the father of MTSU Assistant Coach Kim Brewton.
Soccer ends season with win on Senior Day, All-Conference Honorees Announced
Five Middle Tennessee Soccer players have been named to the Conference USA All-Conference teams.
Defender Lauren Spaanstra and Midfielder Manon Lebargy were named to the Second Team. Defender Caroline Manley and Midfielder Eleanor Gough were named to the Third Team. Sadie Sterbenz was named to the All-Freshman Team.
The Middle Tennessee Soccer Team ended the season with a bang on Friday, defeating FIU 2-0 in their final game of the season. Post-game, the program's four seniors were honored on the field.
Men's Golf wraps up fall slate with win at Daniel Island Intercollegiate
Middle Tennessee men's golf used a hot start in Tuesday's third round to pick up a win at the Daniel Island Intercollegiate. Gavin Clements set a new personal best with a score of 67 (-5) in the third round, while Kevin Jegers, Michael Barnard and Markus Varjun all finished within the top 15.
The Blue Raiders combined for eight birdies and an eagle on the front nine, compared to just four bogeys. Clements was responsible for the eagle and three of those birdies. He played even-par golf on the back nine for his second career-low round of the season.
It was MTSU's first tournament win since the 2022 Pat Hicks Invitational on February 13, 2022.
"What a great week!" Head Coach Mark McEntire said. "I am so proud of this team and glad we finished this one off! Round of the year from Gavin, and we needed it. Solid tournament by everyone and a great way to end the fall. Let's go!"
ICYMI: An all MTSU safety duo for the Philadelphia Eagles made its debut on Sunday
Happy Halloween from MTSU Athletics!
The two-and-half week break brought on by getting a CUSA open week at the end of the conference's October of midweek games on national broadcasts came at a great time for MTSU, who will look to finish the season much stronger than it did in either of the Blue Raiders' first two months, going 1-3 in both September and October to enter the final four CUSA games on their schedule with a 2-6 record.
The good news for MTSU is that with their remaining opponents posting a combined record of 13-22, the Blue Raiders possess one of the weakest remaining schedules in college football as they strive to hit six wins and become bowl eligible. The bad news? The first opponent on the list off the bye is the 6-3 NMSU Aggies, who are in-line to play for a CUSA title in Year Two under Jerry Kill, thanks to a 4-1 start to CUSA play and great success on both sides of the ball.
"They're number two in scoring offense (in CUSA)," head coach Rick Stockstill said of the Aggies. "They're number three in scoring defense (in CUSA). They're playing really good football."
Stockstill said that his team made good use of the long layoff, both in his staff recruiting during the open week and in working in reps for some of the team's younger players during practice. More importantly, however, was the extra time afforded to get some players healthy.
"We've got a chance to get a couple back," Stockstill said. "But if we do get them back, they're going to be in a limited role. A lot of these guys have been hurt, three, four, five weeks, six weeks type of deal."
The stakes for MTSU have never been starker, needing to win out to even become bowl eligible in 2023. But quarterback Nicholas Vattiato knows that deficit has to be made up one weekend at a time in November.
"Coach Stock said it the day after Liberty," Vattiato said. "He said, 'You're not going to win four games all in one game.' New Mexico State is who we're playing Saturday. That's our complete focus, going 1-0."
Cross Country takes home both CUSA Titles
The Middle Tennessee men's and women's cross-country teams swept the Conference USA Championships held in Bowling Green at the Riverview Golf Course. The two titles on Saturday were the Blue Raiders' first in cross country since they swept in 2021.
CUSA Championship sweep! 🏆🏆#BLUEnited | @ConferenceUSA pic.twitter.com/oipiao9Ic8
— Middle Tennessee XC/Track & Field (@MT_TrackField) October 28, 2023
"It's emotional to win both of them," said head coach Keith Vroman. "It's tough to do but we have done it three times in the last five years. It is the hardest thing to do."
The men's team placed their top four runners 3-4-5-6 to power their way to a comfortable victory in the men's division. Purity Sanga won the women's individual title as one of five Blue Raider women in the top 20.
Purity Sanga is the 2023 CUSA Women's Cross Country Individual Champion with a time of 21:01.2! 🥇@MT_TrackField | #NoLimitsOnUs pic.twitter.com/4cRd0VKMb7
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 28, 2023
Volleyball picks up two CUSA Player of the Week nods after sweeping UTEP in AMG
Senior Taylor Eisert was tabbed Conference USA Setter of the Week and sophomore Adri Rhoda was tabbed CUSA Offensive Player of the Week announced by the league office on Monday. These Conference USA honors followed a weekend where MTSU swept the season series with UTEP to take sole possession of second place in the CUSA standings.
7️⃣-0️⃣ in the 'Boro! 😤#BLUEnited | #BetterInTheBoro pic.twitter.com/Jufa8Fm7JC
— Middle Tennessee Volleyball (@MT_Volleyball) October 30, 2023
Eisert totaled 87 assists in the two matches against the Miners this weekend. The Louisville, Ky. native averaged 12.43 assists per set. She added 10 digs as well. Eisert leads Conference USA in assists per set with 11.2. This is her fifth time earning this award this season.
🏐 SETTER OF THE WEEK 🏐
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 30, 2023
presented by Blenders Eyewear //
🏅5️⃣ Taylor Eisert, @MT_Volleyball#NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/IuNg7jTArh pic.twitter.com/fWu5M3FblT
Rhoda had an outstanding weekend against UTEP hitting the ball. The Hutchinson, Minn. native tallied 31 kills on a .444 hitting clip. She earned 4.43 kills per set. Rhoda is third in CUSA in kills per set earning 3.28.
🏐 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK 🏐
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 30, 2023
presented by Blenders Eyewear //
🏅2️⃣ Adri Rhoda, @MT_Volleyball#NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/IuNg7jTArh pic.twitter.com/sFvwa2OwvH
Women's Basketball wraps up second exhibition of 2023
Middle Tennessee women's basketball showcased their offensive firepower on Monday in the Murphy Center, shooting 62.5 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from three on the way to a dominant 103-53 win over the University of the Cumberlands in the Lady Raiders' final exhibition of the 2023-24 season.
Back at it. #BLUEnited | #TrueBlue pic.twitter.com/YfAbpP8tZf
— Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) October 30, 2023
Anastasiia Boldyreva and Jalynn Gregory led all scorers with 24 points each, with Gregory making six three-pointers and Boldreva shooting 71.4 percent from the floor. Savannah Wheeler recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists while also adding in six rebounds.
Defensively, MTSU held the Patriots to just 36.8 percent shooting from the field, forcing UC into 22 turnovers, while scoring 29 points off of said turnovers. Ta'Mia Scott and Courtney Whitson led the way on defense with four steals apiece.
Monday night's game featured Cumberlands Head Coach Rick Reeves, who is the father of MTSU Assistant Coach Kim Brewton.
Family reunion at the Murphy Center tonight! pic.twitter.com/aT0tr2nwRW
— Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) October 30, 2023
Soccer ends season with win on Senior Day, All-Conference Honorees Announced
Five Middle Tennessee Soccer players have been named to the Conference USA All-Conference teams.
Defender Lauren Spaanstra and Midfielder Manon Lebargy were named to the Second Team. Defender Caroline Manley and Midfielder Eleanor Gough were named to the Third Team. Sadie Sterbenz was named to the All-Freshman Team.
5⃣ Blue Raiders have been named to the Conference USA All-Conference teams!
— Middle Tennessee Soccer (@MT_Soccer) October 31, 2023
Congratulations to our second, third and all-freshman team members.
🔗 https://t.co/O9QNzr3Fm9 pic.twitter.com/ZmzAJP89Ft
The Middle Tennessee Soccer Team ended the season with a bang on Friday, defeating FIU 2-0 in their final game of the season. Post-game, the program's four seniors were honored on the field.
Memories that will last a lifetime. https://t.co/dwrzv7zwIo pic.twitter.com/VO0rlB0Vet
— Middle Tennessee Soccer (@MT_Soccer) October 28, 2023
Men's Golf wraps up fall slate with win at Daniel Island Intercollegiate
Middle Tennessee men's golf used a hot start in Tuesday's third round to pick up a win at the Daniel Island Intercollegiate. Gavin Clements set a new personal best with a score of 67 (-5) in the third round, while Kevin Jegers, Michael Barnard and Markus Varjun all finished within the top 15.
A new career-low for Gavin Clements! pic.twitter.com/SWi8y0QjNO
— Middle Tennessee Men's Golf (@MT_MGolf) October 31, 2023
The Blue Raiders combined for eight birdies and an eagle on the front nine, compared to just four bogeys. Clements was responsible for the eagle and three of those birdies. He played even-par golf on the back nine for his second career-low round of the season.
SWEET VICTORY pic.twitter.com/xYlSUVlDSx
— Middle Tennessee Men's Golf (@MT_MGolf) October 31, 2023
It was MTSU's first tournament win since the 2022 Pat Hicks Invitational on February 13, 2022.
"What a great week!" Head Coach Mark McEntire said. "I am so proud of this team and glad we finished this one off! Round of the year from Gavin, and we needed it. Solid tournament by everyone and a great way to end the fall. Let's go!"
ICYMI: An all MTSU safety duo for the Philadelphia Eagles made its debut on Sunday
#MiddleMade Blue Raiders starting in the @NFL today:@KevinByard makes his @Eagles debut teaming up with @reedus99_reed, who returns from injury (12 PM CT on Fox). Also, @itslilmooney is looking for another INT as the @49ers play the Bengals (3:25 PM CT on CBS). pic.twitter.com/4ZAbudcNxJ
— Middle Tennessee Football (@MT_FB) October 29, 2023
.@reedus99_reed with an interception in his first game back! 💪#MiddleMade | #EATT https://t.co/NlIudDaGqA
— Middle Tennessee Football (@MT_FB) October 29, 2023
Happy Halloween from MTSU Athletics!
Happy Halloween from the Blue Raiders! 🎃👻🍬 pic.twitter.com/hagFiu8pS2
— Middle Tennessee Athletics (@MTAthletics) October 31, 2023
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
/ Men's Golf
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Basketball
/ Men's Golf
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
/ Men's Golf
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/ Football
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/ Women's Basketball
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