Blue Raiders back in black this Saturday on The Murfreesboro Post

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Blue Raiders back in black this Saturday

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By: DAVID HUNTER, dhunter@murfreesboropost.com

Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012 8:30 am

The MTSU football team is holding its annual blackout game Saturday, Oct. 27, against the University of North Texas.

Every year, the Blue Raiders wear black jerseys for one time each season to honor those which have served in the U.S. armed forces.

Currently both teams are tied for second in the league standings. By the time the game is over, the loser might have a black mark across its name and be out of the running for the Sun Belt Conference title.

Both of the coaches, MTSU’s Rick Stockstill and North Texas’ Dan McCarthy, have been through several conference races during each of their long coaching careers.

This time is no different.

“This is a huge game,” Stockstill said. “We are both in the hunt, but you can not look ahead. We are just worried about getting to 3-1 in the conference.”

A few minutes later, McCarthy echoed Stockstill’s comment about this weekend’s match up between the two of founding members of the SBC football conference back. This will be their final Sun Belt Conference meeting because North Texas moves to Conference USA next year.

“If you starting worrying about other things besides what are at the end of your nose, and it starts to become a distraction,” McCarthy said. “We just try to do everything we can to better this team and give us a chance each week.”

When asked about last season’s loss to the Mean Green, Stockstill said the Blue Raiders have put it behind them and are not looking for pay back on Saturday.

“Our motivation is to be the best team this season,” Stockstill said. “There is not pay back or revenge and we have put 2011 in the past.”

As for North Texas (3-4, 2-1), the Mean Green is off to its best start since 2004 when it won its fourth consecutive conference title. Also, last week’s win over the Ragin’ Cajuns, who came in with a 4-1 overall record, was the first over a team with a 4-1 or better record since 2001. That came against a 5-0 MTSU team, 11 seasons ago.

It will be a special game for the Blue Raiders, as the team will wear black jerseys for the only time this season, and will be honoring those which have served in the armed forces at halftime.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., and it will be televised on ESPN3.com.

Tagged under Blackout Game, Blue Raiders, Football, MTSU, North Texas

Member Opinions:

By: mlw6z_mtsu_f12 on 10/25/12
The Blackout game is always a fun game for MTSU. The students, fans, faculty, and the players get pumped up for the game. There are always a lot of people at the Blackout game. I enjoy going to MTSU games because they are fun and are part of the college experience. I have been going to MTSU football games since I was 13 and they never get old. Sure, it isn’t the biggest college and it is nothing like going to a UT game, but they are still loads of fun to go to.
I have been to only one Blackout game and it was a lot of fun. It is cool to see the team change things up and where different uniforms. It keeps the game fresh and gives the fans something different for one game. It is a whole lot of fun for the whole community and I am glad I can be a part of it. I am a huge sports fan so when a team is going to wear different uniforms it pumps me up. The same blue uniform at home can get old sometimes. So, I look forward to this weekend’s game and can’t wait to see all the black in the stands and on the field. Go Raiders!!