Finally, The Blue Raiders return home after a 1-1- road trip, and it’s a “blackout” game against Louisiana Tech. For those that aren’t aware “blackout” doesn’t mean the game isn’t televised. It is available through live stream and ASN Sports Network. “Blackout” means everyone is encouraged to wear black. And by everyone I mean the MTSU fans. No one cares about the Bulldogs.
It’s a big weekend at MTSU as it’s “Hall of Fame ” Weekend and also the return of honorary team captain Colton Sheets returns to lead the Blue Raiders to the field. Sheets is 1-0 as captain and last year the Blue Raiders scored 72 points in a win over Charlotte.
Here’s Our Top 5 Things To Know :
- MT COACHING STAFF WILL BE WEARING SIDELINE PATCHES TO SUPPORT THE COACH TO CURE MD PROGRAM
For the ninth year in a row, college football coaches nationwide will join together in support of the Coach to Cure MD program, which will be held during games this Saturday. The annual effort has raised more than a $1.2 million dollars to battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne).
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) members will wear a Coach To Cure MD logo patch on the sidelines and college football fans will be asked to donate to research projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on Duchenne.
Football fans can help support the fight to end Duchenne by either going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill).
- The Blue Raiders are 3-0 in C-USA openers and own a mark of 21-5-1 when playing a league opener at home and stand 21-14 on the road.
- Senior I’Tavius Mathers, playing his first and final season for MT after transferring from Ole Miss, became just the second player in school history to total at least 100 yards rushing and 100 yard receiving in the same game. The first player to also do this in the NCAA this year, Mathers finished with 157 yards on the ground and 103 in receiving against Bowling Green. Don Calloway was the first player at MT to accomplish the feat (2000 vs ULL).
- Winning the turnover battle is critical in collecting victories in football. Under Rick Stockstill, MT has a mark of 44-13 when winning the turnover battle and is 35-5 during bowl eligible years (2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Over the last 52 games (since 2012), MT is 19-2 when winning the turnover battle.
- Hall of Fame Ceremony
The 2016 class of the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raider Athletic Hall of Fame, features Pat Hicks, Eddie Loyd, Patrice Holmes and Cortney Mitchell. The induction will take place on Sept. 24 at 3:30 p.m. on the Hall of Fame lawn.
3:45 p.m. Raider Walk
Raider Walk began in 2000, which features the team walking through Walnut Grove two hours prior to kickoff. The walk allows fans, cheerleaders and members of the Band of Blue to wish the Blue Raiders luck in their upcoming game. Look for the blue lightening bolts on the sidewalk to know where the players and coaches will walk.
