In the previous two games between the schools, big crowds have turned out for this in-state rivalry. Last season, a record crowd of 28,105 saw the MTSU knock off the Tigers, 31-14 at Floyd Stadium. However, these Blue Raiders are just looking for the second win of the year.

“It is an in-state game,” Senior running back Phillip Tanner said. “We have a lot of fans from Memphis. Just by being an in-state game, fans get excited, but as a team we take it as the next game on the schedule.”

MTSU will be facing a team that is currently 0-2 on the season, including 49-27 loss to East Carolina last week. However, The Tiger’s starting quarterback sophomore Cannon Smith suffered a concussion last week, and first-year head coach Larry Porter named freshman Ryan Williams as the starter.

As well documented through the young season, the Blue Raiders have had issues at the quarterback position. Senior Dwight Dasher’s status is still up in the air. Head coach Rick Stockstill said during Monday’s press conference that there has been dialogue between the NCAA and the university.

“There has been dialogue this week, but we are still in limbo,” Stockstill said. “We do not know anything else at this time. Hopefully, we will hear something very soon.”

In the previous two starts against the Tigers, Dasher had has big offensive performances.

In the 2007 matchup, Dasher had 410 yards of total offense in the 21-7 win at Memphis. Last season, Dasher added 320 more total yards in MTSU’s win. Sophomore Logan Kilgore had a toe injury last week and missed the Austin Peay game. Kilgore has been in a boot since late last week, but practiced some on Monday, Stockstill said. He added is not sure who will be the starter this week. Jeff Murphy was the starter in last Saturday’s victory over Austin Peay.

A plus for the Blue Raiders has been the play of the offensive line, who have not given up a sack this season even though it has had to replace several key members because of injuries. Junior Alex Stuart is still out for Saturday’s game. Sophomore Preston Bailey status is “up in the air,” and junior Brandon McLeroy should be OK by kickoff, Stockstill said. MTSU also leads the Sun Belt in rushing, averaging 249.5 yards on the ground.

“Our running backs Phillip (Tanner) and Benny (Cunningham) have done a really good job in protection, while the quarterbacks have been getting the ball out quickly,” Stockstill said. “If you do that, you are going to do a good job avoiding sacks. I said it at the beginning of the season: I am confident in our offensive line, and after two games, I have not been disappointed yet.”

Stockstill’s teams have prided themselves on protecting the football, but last week the Blue Raiders committed four turnovers. That included five fumbles, but MTSU was able to recover three of them. The fifth-year head coach said that had been the most disappointing thing so far this season.

“Turnovers are the thing I am most upset about from the first two games,” Stockstill said. “Interceptions will happen. Balls will get tipped and then get picked off. So (you) cannot get mad at every interception. What bothers me are the fumbles. This is all fundamentals. We have to do a better job of protecting the football from a fumble standpoint.”

The Tigers have not defeated the Blue Raiders since 1954, which was the last meeting before 2007. 1948 was the last time the Tigers beat the Blue Raiders in Memphis. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Liberty Bowl.

David Hunter can be contacted at sports@murfreebsoropost.com.