Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Football prepares for Senior Day against New Mexico State
11/18/2024 6:11:00 PM | Football, General, Men's Tennis, Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, Track & Field/Cross Country
Football Weekly Press Conference - 11/18Football vs New Mexico State ticketsWomen's Basketball vs Tennessee Tech TicketsWomen's Basketball Season TicketsMen's Basketball Season Tickets
Women’s Basketball hosts Tennessee Tech, Kiplagat makes Cross Country Nationals
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Coming off their final open week of the season, Middle Tennessee football might not seem to have much to play for in their final home game of the season this week, when they welcome New Mexico State to Floyd Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. With the Blue Raiders at 3-7 and the Aggies at 2-8, both teams will be playing for pride.
But for MTSU, it's a chance to send off their seniors with a win in their final time on the turf in Murfreesboro.
"Football is like a carton of milk: it has an expiration date on it," head coach Derek Mason said. "With it, sometimes come the opportunities for guys to sort of send themselves out the right way. I think this group, after coming off a bye and had good work during the bye is definitely pushing toward that."
Mason said that football is a big part of his student-athletes' journey, no question, but that other opportunities that open up, from getting a degree to creating new experiences to networking for the next chapter, have been embraced by this group, whether they were in the program one year or six years.
"They've had a chance to really invest in this MTSU community," Mason said. "We would ask that the MTSU community comes out to support this group. That's important as these guys are looking to finish off their careers."
For linebacker Parker Hughes, who still has one more year of eligibility, Senior Day is a chance to return the favor to the oldest guys on the team for the work they do.
"You think of those seniors, like (Jalen Davis) in our room," Hughes said. "You want to send them out on a good note and do all you can to win the game for them, play good football and have fun out there for them."
MTSU will honor 21 seniors before Saturday's game: Ellis Adams, Brody Butler, Devyn Curtis, Jalen Davis, Da'Shawn Elder, Ethan Ellis, Drew Francis, Stone Frost, Jayce Gardner, Daniel Gonzalez, Brendon Harris, Mitchell Howell, Jacob Jackson, Julius Pierce, Terrell Pack, Zeke Rankin, Morgan Scott, Javonte Sherman, A'Varius Sparrow, Trey Turk and Holden Willis. (Hayes Sutton and Alex Williams have also exhausted eligibility but elected not to walk since they have been honored previously).
Women's Basketball hosts annual Teddy Bear Toss Game Tuesday
After a dominant win over Alcorn State on Sunday, Middle Tennessee has a quick turnaround, taking on long-time in-state rival Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night in the Glass House. Fans are invited to bring a new Teddy Bear (or other stuffed animal) for the program's annual Teddy Bear Toss at halftime! All animals tossed on the court will be donated to the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
And relive the Blue Raiders dominance on Sunday with our Creative Video Assistant Niko Shimono's recap of the win over Alcorn State!
Kiplagat heads to NCAA Cross Country Championships as solo competitor after fifth place finish at regionals
Allan Kiplagat finished in fifth place at the NCAA Cross Country South Region Championship, securing his spot in the NCAA National Championship in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 23.
In his first 10k race at the collegiate level, the Iten, Kenya native ran it like any other 8k race, staying with the lead pack throughout. He fluctuated between second and sixth place, ultimately finishing in 29:47.6, just behind four SEC runners. Kiplagat will now compete for the Individual National Championship next week in Wisconsin.
"Allan ran a solid race, staying controlled and patient," said coach Vroman. "The men's team had a strong season, despite some uncontrollable circumstances late in the year. The women's team is young, and we're looking forward to the maturity and experience gained from this season."
Spies, Bronner, pick up CUSA Weekly Superlatives ahead of CUSA Tournament
Libero Alivia Bronner was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the week, while setter Andi Spies earned Freshman of the Week honors, as announced by the league office on Monday, November 18.
Bronner becomes the second Blue Raider this season to win Defensive Player of the Week, joining teammate Laure Jansen. Meanwhile, Spies has now been honored with Freshman of the Week for the fifth time this season.
The Conference USA Tournament will be held at UTEP in El Paso, Texas, where MTSU earned the fifth seed after finishing 9-9 in CUSA play. The Blue Raiders will take on Kennesaw State in the first round with first serve set for 3:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 22. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Men's Basketball heads to Myrtle Beach for 2024 MTE
MTSU Men's Basketball will head to Myrtle Beach (well, Conway, S.C., which is kind of close to Myrtle Beach, but not as close as Coastal Carolina implies it is!) for the Myrtle Beach Invitational starting on Thursday at 11 a.m. CT against Ohio.
Good news for Blue Raider fans, this year's multiple-team event (MTE) will be broadcast entirely on the ESPN family of networks, with MTSU's opening game being on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. Stay tuned to GoBlueRaiders.com or Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball for updates on where you can watch MTSU play this week!
Men's Tennis is the first of the spring sports to release their schedule!
Middle Tennessee men's tennis head coach Jimmy Borendame has announced the release of the 2025 spring schedule, kicking off Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Adams Tennis Complex.
The Blue Raiders, currently ranked 33rd in Division I according to the most recent ITA rankings, will look to continue their most recent run of dominance in Conference USA play and win their sixth consecutive conference title in April in Lynchburg, Va.
"This 2025 Spring schedule is likely our strongest one yet during my tenure," Head Coach Jimmy Borendame said. "We will be tested both at home and on the road. We are always fortunate to have our great crowds at both the Adams Tennis Complex and the Buck Bouldin Courts on campus. As always, the Blue Raiders will show up to win each day, practice, match we have, and we look forward to the Spring season."
Men's Tennis is the latest of many of MTSU's spring sports to announce their schedule for the upcoming season in the coming weeks, with men's golf releasing their full season all at once this fall. Stay tuned to GoBlueRaiders.com and social media for future announcements from women's tennis, women's golf, baseball and softball.
But for MTSU, it's a chance to send off their seniors with a win in their final time on the turf in Murfreesboro.
"Football is like a carton of milk: it has an expiration date on it," head coach Derek Mason said. "With it, sometimes come the opportunities for guys to sort of send themselves out the right way. I think this group, after coming off a bye and had good work during the bye is definitely pushing toward that."
Mason said that football is a big part of his student-athletes' journey, no question, but that other opportunities that open up, from getting a degree to creating new experiences to networking for the next chapter, have been embraced by this group, whether they were in the program one year or six years.
"They've had a chance to really invest in this MTSU community," Mason said. "We would ask that the MTSU community comes out to support this group. That's important as these guys are looking to finish off their careers."
For linebacker Parker Hughes, who still has one more year of eligibility, Senior Day is a chance to return the favor to the oldest guys on the team for the work they do.
"You think of those seniors, like (Jalen Davis) in our room," Hughes said. "You want to send them out on a good note and do all you can to win the game for them, play good football and have fun out there for them."
MTSU will honor 21 seniors before Saturday's game: Ellis Adams, Brody Butler, Devyn Curtis, Jalen Davis, Da'Shawn Elder, Ethan Ellis, Drew Francis, Stone Frost, Jayce Gardner, Daniel Gonzalez, Brendon Harris, Mitchell Howell, Jacob Jackson, Julius Pierce, Terrell Pack, Zeke Rankin, Morgan Scott, Javonte Sherman, A'Varius Sparrow, Trey Turk and Holden Willis. (Hayes Sutton and Alex Williams have also exhausted eligibility but elected not to walk since they have been honored previously).
Women's Basketball hosts annual Teddy Bear Toss Game Tuesday
After a dominant win over Alcorn State on Sunday, Middle Tennessee has a quick turnaround, taking on long-time in-state rival Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night in the Glass House. Fans are invited to bring a new Teddy Bear (or other stuffed animal) for the program's annual Teddy Bear Toss at halftime! All animals tossed on the court will be donated to the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
🗣️ Calling all Blue Raiders
— Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) November 18, 2024
Join us tomorrow against Tennessee Tech and be sure to bring a 🧸 for our annual halftime Teddy Bear Toss benefiting the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
#TrueBlue | #Team50 pic.twitter.com/5UakQfHwMs
And relive the Blue Raiders dominance on Sunday with our Creative Video Assistant Niko Shimono's recap of the win over Alcorn State!
🎬 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 | "The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work." – Princess Tiana#TrueBlue | #Team50 pic.twitter.com/AXfuGmHYLw
— Middle Tennessee Women's Basketball (@MT_WBB) November 18, 2024
Kiplagat heads to NCAA Cross Country Championships as solo competitor after fifth place finish at regionals
Allan Kiplagat finished in fifth place at the NCAA Cross Country South Region Championship, securing his spot in the NCAA National Championship in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 23.
In his first 10k race at the collegiate level, the Iten, Kenya native ran it like any other 8k race, staying with the lead pack throughout. He fluctuated between second and sixth place, ultimately finishing in 29:47.6, just behind four SEC runners. Kiplagat will now compete for the Individual National Championship next week in Wisconsin.
"Allan ran a solid race, staying controlled and patient," said coach Vroman. "The men's team had a strong season, despite some uncontrollable circumstances late in the year. The women's team is young, and we're looking forward to the maturity and experience gained from this season."
Ticket punched!
— Middle Tennessee XC/Track & Field (@MT_TrackField) November 16, 2024
Allan will see you in Wisconsin!#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/3jAJbbVfGg
Spies, Bronner, pick up CUSA Weekly Superlatives ahead of CUSA Tournament
Libero Alivia Bronner was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the week, while setter Andi Spies earned Freshman of the Week honors, as announced by the league office on Monday, November 18.
🏐 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK 🏐
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) November 18, 2024
Alivia Bronner, @MT_Volleyball #NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/6nrPQRq1Ij pic.twitter.com/zDQENWSoHt
Bronner becomes the second Blue Raider this season to win Defensive Player of the Week, joining teammate Laure Jansen. Meanwhile, Spies has now been honored with Freshman of the Week for the fifth time this season.
🏐 FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK 🏐
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) November 18, 2024
Andi Spies, @MT_Volleyball #NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/6nrPQRq1Ij pic.twitter.com/YrrFOfb4na
The Conference USA Tournament will be held at UTEP in El Paso, Texas, where MTSU earned the fifth seed after finishing 9-9 in CUSA play. The Blue Raiders will take on Kennesaw State in the first round with first serve set for 3:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 22. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Men's Basketball heads to Myrtle Beach for 2024 MTE
MTSU Men's Basketball will head to Myrtle Beach (well, Conway, S.C., which is kind of close to Myrtle Beach, but not as close as Coastal Carolina implies it is!) for the Myrtle Beach Invitational starting on Thursday at 11 a.m. CT against Ohio.
Good news for Blue Raider fans, this year's multiple-team event (MTE) will be broadcast entirely on the ESPN family of networks, with MTSU's opening game being on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. Stay tuned to GoBlueRaiders.com or Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball for updates on where you can watch MTSU play this week!
beach bound for the myrtle beach invitational this week! pic.twitter.com/j5yP5xWstg
— Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball (@MT_MBB) November 18, 2024
Men's Tennis is the first of the spring sports to release their schedule!
Middle Tennessee men's tennis head coach Jimmy Borendame has announced the release of the 2025 spring schedule, kicking off Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Adams Tennis Complex.
The Blue Raiders, currently ranked 33rd in Division I according to the most recent ITA rankings, will look to continue their most recent run of dominance in Conference USA play and win their sixth consecutive conference title in April in Lynchburg, Va.
"This 2025 Spring schedule is likely our strongest one yet during my tenure," Head Coach Jimmy Borendame said. "We will be tested both at home and on the road. We are always fortunate to have our great crowds at both the Adams Tennis Complex and the Buck Bouldin Courts on campus. As always, the Blue Raiders will show up to win each day, practice, match we have, and we look forward to the Spring season."
Mark your calendars 📅
— Middle Tennessee Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) November 14, 2024
Time to add the 2⃣0⃣2⃣5⃣ Blue Raiders' spring schedule!!
📰: https://t.co/VA8D1Wiji7#BLUEnited | #WEUNITE16 pic.twitter.com/efKKS1aNAO
Men's Tennis is the latest of many of MTSU's spring sports to announce their schedule for the upcoming season in the coming weeks, with men's golf releasing their full season all at once this fall. Stay tuned to GoBlueRaiders.com and social media for future announcements from women's tennis, women's golf, baseball and softball.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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