Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football program represents Middle Tennessee State University in the sport of American football. The Blue Raiders compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the East Division of Conference USA (CUSA). They are coached by Rick Stockstill, who started in 2006. Middle Tennessee has appeared in 12 bowl games and seven I-AA playoffs. The Blue Raiders play their home games at the Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium which has a seating capacity of 30,788.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
2021 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
First season1911
Athletic directorChris Massaro
Head coachRick Stockstill
15th season, 90–83 (.520)
StadiumJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
(Capacity: 30,788)
Field surfaceSportexe PowerBlade turf
LocationMurfreesboro, Tennessee
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceConference USA
DivisionEast
All-time record551–410–28 (.571)
Bowl record4–8 (.333)
Conference titles13
Division titles1
RivalriesTroy (rivalry)
Western Kentucky (rivalry)
ColorsRoyal Blue and White[1]
         
Fight songMTSU Fight Song
MascotLightning
Marching bandBand of Blue
Websitegoblueraiders.com

History

Early history (1911–1946)

Middle Tennessee State University first fielded a football team in 1911 under the direction of head coach L. T. "Mutt" Weber. From 1913–1923, Alfred B. Miles led the Blue Raiders football program. The 1914 football season led by Miles was its first undefeated season, with five straight victories after a tie with Cumberland.[2][3]

Frank Faulkinberry was hired as MTSU's head coach after Miles' departure. During his tenure, the Blue Raiders compiled a record of 33–26–4. Faulkinberry was found shot to death in his garage on May 13, 1933, a suspected suicide being the cause.[4]

E. M. Waller led the Blue Raiders for two seasons and compiled a 3–14–1 record.[5] Waller resigned due to the team's struggles after two seasons.

Johnny Floyd started coaching MTSU in 1935 and led the Blue Raiders for four seasons.[6] Under his tutelage, the Blue Raiders compiled a record of 30–8–1. Floyd's 1935 team went a perfect 8–0.[7] However, a 2–6 campaign in 1938 ended his time in Murfreesboro.[6]

Ernest Alley was named the next head coach of MTSU football, and in his one-season, the Blue Raiders compiled a 1–6–1 record.[7]

Elwin W. Midgett led the Blue Raiders for four seasons (MTSU did not field a football team from 1943–1945 because of World War II. In 1940, Midgett led the Blue Raiders to a 4–4 mark.[8] In 1941, the Blue Raiders posted a 4–3–1 campaign,[8] followed by 4–2–1 in 1942,[8] and 6–2–1 in 1946.[9]

Charles Murphy era (1947–1968)

Charles Murphy is the longest-tenured and winningest head coach in MTSU, football history, with a 155–63–8 record in 22 seasons as MTSU's head coach. Under Murphy's tutelage, the Blue Raiders posted four undefeated seasons (1949, 1957, 1959 and 1965) along with 17 winning seasons and four bowl appearances.[10] Murphy was asked to resign at MTSU after a 2–8 campaign in 1968.[11]

Donald Fuoss era (1969)

Succeeding Murphy as the Blue Raiders head coach was Donald Fuoss, who only lasted for one season, a 1–9 campaign in 1969[12] that resulted in his firing.

Bill Peck era (1970–1974)

Bill Peck took over as head coach in 1970 and instantly brought improvement to Murfreesboro. In his first season, the Blue Raiders posted a 6–3–1 record.[13] In 1971, MTSU posted a record of 7–4.[13] That was followed by a 7–3–1 mark in 1972,[13] a 4–7 mark in 1973 and a 3–8 campaign in 1974.[13] Peck was asked to resign after back to back losing seasons to end his tenure.[14]

Ben Hurt era (1975–1978)

Ben Hurt took over the Blue Raiders in 1975. Under his tutelage, in 1975, MTSU posted a 4–7 mark.[15] That was followed by another 4–7 campaign in 1976.[15] In 1977, Hurt's Blue Raiders posted a 3–8 record that was followed by a 1–9–1 1978 season,[15] after which Hurt was fired.

James Donnelly era (1979–1998)

Austin Peay head coach James Donnelly was hired as MTSU's head coach in 1979. Under his leadership, the MTSU football program compiled a record of 133–80–1.[16] Donnelly is the second winningest football coach in MTSU history. Of his 20 seasons at the helm, 15 of them were winning seasons (including 12 in a row) and four of them were seasons of at least 10 wins. Donnelly resigned after a 5–5 season in 1998.

Andy McCollum era (1999–2005)

Baylor assistant coach Andy McCollum took over for Donnelly in 1999.[17] McCollum led the Blue Raiders to a 6–5 record in 2000, their first as an FBS program. In 2001, McCollum oversaw an offense that ranked fifth nationally and MTSU finished 8–3 as the runner-up behind North Texas which won the Sun Belt Conference championship. In 2005, MTSU's defense ranked ninth nationally. McCollum was fired after the 2005 season.[18]

Rick Stockstill era (2006–present)
Coach Stockstill

In 2006, South Carolina tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Rick Stockstill got the head coaching job at Middle Tennessee State.[19] In his first season, Stockstill led the Blue Raiders to the program's second bowl game as well as a share of the Sun Belt Conference title. He was later that year named the conference coach of the year.

The 2007 and 2008 seasons saw the Blue Raiders take a small step back with back-to-back 5–7 seasons.[20][21] However, in 2009, Stockstill and the Blue Raiders went 10–3[22] and won the New Orleans Bowl, which was the third bowl victory in school history.[23] Again, Stockstill was named conference coach of the year for the 2009 season. The Blue Raiders went to another bowl in 2010, and they finished the season 6–7 after losing the GoDaddy.com Bowl.[24][25]

After the successful 2009 season, he turned down several offers from other schools, including Conference USA's East Carolina[26] and Memphis,[27] citing that it was not the right time to leave the Blue Raiders.[28] Stockstill has led MTSU to seven bowl games in 13 years.

In 2016, Stockstill led the Blue Raiders to an 8–5, 5–3 in C-USA play to finish in third place in the East Division.[29] They were invited to the Hawaii Bowl where they lost to Hawaii.[30]

In 2017, Stockstill led the Blue Raiders to a 7–6, 4–4 in C-USA play to finish for a tie in third place in the East Division. They were invited to the 2017 Camellia Bowl where they defeated Arkansas State.

Conference affiliations

Middle Tennessee has been both an independent and affiliated with multiple conferences.[31]:128–134

Championships

Conference championships

Middle Tennessee has won 13 conference championships, seven outright and six shared.[31]:128–134, 156[32]

Season Conference Coach Overall Record Conference Record
1956Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy7–35–0
1957Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy10–05–0
1958†Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy8–25–1
1959†Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy10–0–15–0–1
1962†Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy6–44–2
1964Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy8–2–16–1
1965Ohio Valley ConferenceCharles M. Murphy10–07–0
1985Ohio Valley ConferenceBoots Donnelly11–17–0
1989Ohio Valley ConferenceBoots Donnelly9–46–0
1990†Ohio Valley ConferenceBoots Donnelly11–25–1
1992Ohio Valley ConferenceBoots Donnelly10–38–0
2001†Sun Belt ConferenceAndy McCollum8–35–1
2006†Sun Belt ConferenceRick Stockstill7–66–1

† Co-championship

Division championships

As a member of Conference USA since 2013, Middle Tennessee competes in the East Division. The Blue Raiders have won one division title.

Season Division Coach Opponent CG result
2018C-USA EastRick StockstillUABL 25–27

Head coaches

List of Middle Tennessee head coaches.[33]

Bowl games

Middle Tennessee has appeared in twelve bowl games as a program, with four of those falling as a non-Division I Bowl game. The Blue Raiders have a record of 4–8. MT appeared twice in the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl). The first game, played January 1, 1960, against Presbyterian College, resulted in a 21–12 win. The second game, against Lamar University on December 29, 1961, was a 21–14 loss.

The Blue Raiders were invited to the Motor City Bowl in 2006 after a shared conference title with Troy University. Troy had won the conference with a tie-breaker, but MT was invited due to the Big Ten having two teams in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and thus being unable to fulfill their bowl contract for the Motor City Bowl. This was their first bowl game in 42 years along with their first under Division I. They played Central Michigan University in the game and were defeated 31–14.

MT finished the 2009 regular season with a 9–3 record and was invited to play in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on December 20, 2009. The team played against the University of Southern Mississippi, defeating them 42–32. This was their second bowl game since joining the FBS and first ever bowl win. Quarterback Dwight Dasher was named as the game's MVP after rushing and passing for two touchdowns each.[34]

Season Coach Bowl Opponent Result
1956Charles M. MurphyRefrigerator BowlSam Houston StateL 13–27
1959Charles M. MurphyTangerine BowlPresbyterianW 21–12
1961Charles M. MurphyTangerine BowlLamarL 14–21
1964Charles M. MurphyGrantland Rice BowlMuskingumW 20–0
2006Rick StockstillMotor City BowlCentral MichiganL 14–31
2009Rick StockstillNew Orleans BowlSouthern MissW 42–32
2010Rick StockstillGoDaddy.com BowlMiami (OH)L 21–35
2013Rick StockstillArmed Forces BowlNavyL 6–24
2015Rick StockstillBahamas BowlWestern MichiganL 31–45
2016Rick StockstillHawaii BowlHawaiiL 35–52
2017Rick StockstillCamellia BowlArkansas StateW 35–30
2018Rick StockstillNew Orleans BowlAppalachian StateL 13–45

non-Division I bowl game

Division I-AA Playoffs results

The Blue Raiders have appeared in the I-AA playoffs seven times with a record of 6–7.

Year Round Opponent Result
1984First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		Eastern Kentucky
Indiana State
Louisiana Tech		W 27–10
W 42–41 3OT
L 13–21
1985QuarterfinalsGeorgia SouthernL 21–28
1989First Round
Quarterfinals		Appalachian State
Georgia Southern		W 24–21
L 3–45
1990First Round
Quarterfinals		Jackson State
Boise State		W 24–21
L 13–28
1991First Round
Quarterfinals		Sam Houston State
Eastern Kentucky		W 20–19OT
L 13–23
1992First Round
Quarterfinals		Appalachian State
Marshall		W 35–10
L 21–35
1994First RoundMarshallL 14–49

Rivalries

Troy
Main article: Battle for the Palladium

Middle Tennessee's rivalry with Troy, now dormant following Middle Tennessee's 2013 move to Conference USA, is known as the Battle for the Palladium.[35] Troy and Middle Tennessee first played each other in 1936,[36] but it wasn't until 2003 that schools started playing annually for the Palladium Trophy.[35] Middle Tennessee leads the series 12-8.

Middle Tennessee-Troy: All-Time Record
Games played First meeting Last meeting Middle Tennessee wins Middle Tennessee losses
21 October 9, 1936 (Won 19–0) September 9, 2020 (Lost 47-14) 12 9

Western Kentucky
Main article: 100 Miles of Hate

The rivalry between Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky, is both school's oldest rivalry, as the two programs played together for several decades in the Ohio Valley Conference before both became members of the Sun Belt Conference and then transitioned to Conference USA about the same time.[37] The name comes from the fact that the two universities are separated by about 100 miles.[37]

Middle Tennessee-Western Kentucky: All-Time Record
Games played First meeting Last meeting Middle Tennessee wins Middle Tennessee losses Series Tied
68 October 10, 1914 (Won 47–0) October 3, 2020 (Lost 20-17) 34 33 1

Nickname

The nickname of the Middle Tennessee athletic teams is the Blue Raiders. Female teams were long known as the Lady Raiders, but adopted the Blue Raiders name in 2007. The nickname's origin goes back to a 1934 newspaper contest. An MT football player, Charles Sarver, won $5 from Murfreesboro's The Daily News Journal with his winning entry "Blue Raiders", which he later admitted borrowing from Colgate University, whose teams were known as "Raiders" at the time. No official nickname existed prior to 1934, when teams were called "Normalites", "Teachers", and "Pedagogues".[38]

Colors and mascot

MT is represented by the colors white and royal blue, described as PMS 301 by the university.[39]

Lightning is the mascot of both the Middle Tennessee men and women's sports teams.[38]

Retired number

Middle Tennessee has retired one jersey number. Morris was in the forefront of a big era of the Blue Raiders, winning three OVC championships in his tenure as quarterback.

No. Player Position Tenure
14Teddy MorrisQB1962–65

All-time record vs. CUSA teams

Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current CUSA opponents:

OpponentWonLostTiedPercentageStreakFirstLast
Charlotte410.800Lost 120152019
Florida Atlantic1250.706Lost 120032019
FIU1150.688Won 220052020
Louisiana Tech240.333Won 119842016
Marshall450.444Won 219922019
North Texas7100.412Lost 220012020
Old Dominion4001.000Won 420142019
Rice010.000Lost 120192019
Southern Miss3001.000Won 320092014
UAB440.500Lost 119952018
UTEP310.750Won 220132018
UTSA120.333Lost 220152020
Western Kentucky34341.500Lost 219142020
Totals89721.552

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of December 27, 2019.[40]

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
at Duke at Virginia Tech at Colorado State at Missouri at Ole Miss Duke Liberty
Indiana State at Liberty Missouri Colorado State at Duke Austin Peay
Virginia Tech at UConn
at UConn

References
  1. Color (PDF). Middle Tennessee State Athletics Branding Guide. October 18, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  2. "100 Years of MTSU Football". Archived from the original on 2014-09-20.
  3. Stone, India (June 20, 2003). "The Heritage of Champions". GoBlueRaiders.com. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  4. Cattell, James McKeen, ed. (1933). "School & Society". Society for the Advancement of Education. The University of California. 37 (960): 652.
  5. Forsythe, Regina (July 3, 1995). "Oral History Interview With Isa Lee Freeman" (PDF). MTSU.edu. Albert Gore Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2014.
  6. Sparks, Adam (October 1, 2015). "Johnny "Red" Floyd: MTSU legend, Vandy lost treasure". The Tennessean.
  7. DeLassus, David. "Middle Tennessee State Yearly Results: 1935–1939". College Football Data Warehouse.
  8. DeLassus, David. "Middle Tennessee State Yearly Results: 1940–1944". College Football Data Warehouse.
  9. DeLassus, David. "Middle Tennessee State Yearly Results: 1945–1949". College Football Data Warehouse.
  10. Organ, Mike (May 11, 2014). "Former MTSU coach nominated for College Football Hall". The Tennessean.
  11. Bullen, Bob (1984). "Recollections: The Middle Tennessee Voices of Their Times Series, Television Program with Charles "Bubba" Murphy" (PDF). MTSU.edu. Albert Gore Research Center.
  12. DeLassus, David. "Middle Tennessee State Yearly Results: 1965–1969". College Football Data Warehouse.
  13. DeLassus, David. "Middle Tennessee State Yearly Results: 1970–1974". College Football Data Warehouse.
  14. Schmadtke, Alan (October 16, 1988). "Peck's Kids: He Loves Them For Just Trying". Orlando Sentinel.
  15. DeLassus, David. "Middle Tennessee State Yearly Results: 1975–1979". College Football Data Warehouse.
  16. "Donnelly, James "Boots"". Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
  17. "Andy McCollum". RamblinWreck.com.
  18. "Middle Tennessee fires coach Andy McCollum". USA Today. November 21, 2005.
  19. Dooley, Pat (December 13, 2005). "Stockstill tapped as MTSU coach". The Gainesville Sun.
  20. "2007 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  21. "2008 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  22. "2009 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  23. "Southern Mississippi vs. Middle Tennessee - Game Recap - December 20, 2009 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  24. "2010 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  25. "Middle Tennessee vs. Miami (OH) - Game Recap - January 6, 2011 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  26. Anderson, Reggie (January 20, 2010). "Former Clemson and USC Assistant Stockstill Staying At Middle Tennessee". WLTX. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013.
  27. Stukenborg, Phil (November 17, 2009). "Tigers to talk to MTSU's Rick Stockstill about vacancy". The Commercial Appeal. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013.
  28. "Stockstill stays at MTSU, won't pursue East Carolina opening". Nashville City Paper. January 19, 2010. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012.
  29. "2016 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  30. "Hawaii takes down Middle Tennessee for first bowl victory since 2006".
  31. "2018 Media Guide" (PDF). goblueraiders.com. Middle Tennessee Athletics.
  32. "2017 Ohio Valley Conference Media Guide" (PDF). ovcsports.com. pp. 80–82.
  33. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/middle-tennessee-state/coaches.html
  34. Staff (December 20, 2009). "Blue Raiders power past Southern Miss to win New Orleans Bowl Championship, 42–32". GoBlueRaiders.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  35. "Battle for the Palladium: More than a trophy".
  36. "mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Middle Tennessee St vs. Troy St". mcubed.net.
  37. Rutledge, Billy. "'100 Miles of Hate': Hilltoppers prepare for MTSU".
  38. Stone, India (June 20, 2003). "The Heritage of Champions". GoBlueRaiders.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  39. Staff (August 1, 2008). "Blue Raider Logos". GoBlueRaiders.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2006. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  40. "Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
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