| Middle ready for 'speedy, aggressive' Southern Miss |
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Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:24 pm
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When Rick Stockstill took over as head coach of Middle’s football program in 2006, his goal was to make it to a bowl game.
The Blue Raiders were honored that year with an invite to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. And he’s extended the season again this year with an invitation to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 in the New Orleans Superdome.
“That’s how we practice. How we play. That’s our goal,” Stockstill said about the upcoming trip, adding he’s not looking for a bowl every year, but two in four years is a good start.
“I’m not into quick fixes,” he said. “I’m not going to take any short cuts in building this program. This is just another step in the process.”
The process has been good this year under Stockstill. The Blue Raiders put together one of the top seasons in school history by going 9-3 overall, best ever in FBS competition, and 7-1 in the Sun Belt Conference.
The nine wins are the most regular season victories since 1992 and the seven league wins are the most ever by the Blue Raiders as a member of the Sun Belt. Middle Tennessee enters the New Orleans Bowl riding a six-game winning streak which ranks as the sixth longest in the country.
“This is a reward for these guys to go out and enjoy the fruits of their labors,” Stockstill said, adding the work began in January and now the team only has two goals: win the game and have a good time.
But the hard work isn’t over yet. The Blue Raiders will face a Southern Miss team that finished 7-5 and was one win from facing Houston in the Conference USA Championship game.
The Golden Eagles also have some familiar faces in the coaching staff as Head Coach Larry Fedora, assistants Blake Anderson and Todd Bradford, and Director of Football Operations Gary Camp are all former Middle Tennessee staff members.
“We’re looking forward to the game …” Stockstill said, noting he’s proud and excited for the team. “We have a chance to play a really good Southern Miss team.”
The MT coach said the Southern Miss team is as fast as it is good with “great athletes on both sides of the ball.”
Golden Eagle quarterback Martevious Young has thrown for 13 touchdown with only one interception after taking over mid-season for an injured Austin Davis.
“They’re as good an offense as we’ve seen in awhile,” Stockstill said.
And the Golden Eagles are good with a “speedy and aggressive” defense as well, he added. “It’ll be a heck of a challenge for us.”
But offensive lineman Brandon McElroy isn’t about to back down from the challenge.
“It’s going to be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
To join McElroy and the rest of the Blue Raiders in New Orleans, call the MTSU ticket office at 1-888-YES-MTSU or visit GoBlueRaiders.com.
Tickets for the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl are $40 and it will include an official "Blueout" T-Shirt. The commemorative shirt will be a collector's item and fans are encouraged to wear it at the game.
MTSU is also offering bus and lodging packages at discount prices.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com. |
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