9-3 and I'm proud to be from Middle Tennessee!

Congrats to the entire athletic program.  Most importantly, congratulations to the football team.  Nice work gentlemen.  We look forward to seeing you at a bowl game!

I love this stuff

After a strong football performance by the Blue Riaders this afternoon, I stopped by the GoBlueRaiders.com site and found their recent splash page.  I like these stats....

NATIONALLY RANKED RAIDERS

No. 34 · Total Passing · Dwight Dasher
No. 31 · Scoring · Alan Gendreau
No. 26 · Fumbles Recovered · Kenneth Gilstrap
No. 13 · Field Goals · Alan Gendreau
No. 11 · Tackles for Loss · Chris McCoy
No. 5 · Total Offense · Dwight Dasher
No. 3 · Interceptions · Marcus Udell
No. 1 · Forced Fumbles · Danny Carmichael

Scoop from Rivals.com - Stockstill withdraws from Memphis search

From: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=rivals-337883&prov=rivals&type=lgns

You gotta love the folks over at Rivals for getting the story from the DNJ but posting it so that feeds pick it up at their site first....

Stockstill withdraws from Memphis search

By Randall Thomason, GoMiddle.com Publisher
 
Middle Tennessee head football coach Rick Stockstill has withdrawn his name from consideration in the Memphis coaching search, according to the Daily News Journal.


Stockstill acknowledged this week that he had been contacted by Memphis about its coaching vacancy following Tiger athletic director R.C. Johnson’s decision to dismiss coach Tommy West.

“I am very flattered and honored with the interest that the University of Memphis has shown in me and the MTSU football program,” Stockstill said in the report. “However, at this time I am only focusing on our remaining two games and hopefully a bowl game, and this will allow Memphis to continue its search for their next coach.”

Middle Tennessee is 7-3 overall and 5-1 in Sun Belt games.

The Blue Raiders have remaining games against Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe, with a likely bowl bid coming at the end of the season.

7 wins - by Sonny

Man, doesn't that sound good. 7 wins! With 2 games to go. We need everyone at the game this weekend to cheer on the team and thank the Seniors for all of their hard work. It looks to be another beautiful day, so please come out.

A little pre-game-day reading about MTSU Football

Sun Belt Football: No secret to MTSU's hot start
Lafayette Advertiser

MTSU's Carmichael 'can't live without football'
Daily News Journal

MTSU run, pass coming in shifts
Daily News Journal

Raiders don 278th insignia starting with La-Lafayette (via Murfreesboro Post)

NOTE:  I believe this is a great thing.  If you do not know much about the 278th, you should as they are the largest from TN.  As well, in an era where football is often give much more attention that our armed forces, it is nice to see the team and administration giving a "shout out" to those who give us the ability to play and watch this great game each Saturday in the fall. - Tom Hagen

Raiders don 278th insignia starting with La-Lafayette

(Link to original story HERE)
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:50 pm

On a day when MTSU will dedicate a Veterans Memorial on campus and observe Armed Services/Veterans Day, the Blue Raider football team will make a statement of its own in observance of the holiday.

Coach Rick Stockstill opened Tuesday's weekly press conference by announcing the team will wear insignia of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment on its helmets starting Saturday and until the unit returns from a scheduled second tour in Iraq.

The 278ths is set for deployment again in Iraq in February. It is the largest National Guard unit in Tennessee.

The Raiders will carry a three-game Sun Belt Conference win streak into Saturday's 3:15 p.m. kickoff against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Middle became bowl eligible with a 48-21 win over Florida International here Saturday, lifting the Raiders to 6-3 on the year.

Lafayette is 5-4 overall and coming off a 21-18 win over Arkansas State on the road.

Highlight of Tuesday's press conference included:
Opening Comments
In honor of the Salute to Armed Services/Veterans Day, we will be honoring the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Knoxville by wearing their insignia to show respect for everything they do for this country. We will leave this insignia on our helmets until they return home from Iraq, so they will know our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. I hope everyone will come to this game, not only to support Middle Tennessee and our football team, but to come out and support the 278th.

(rest of the story is HERE)

Blue Raiders look to tame Ragin’ Cajuns - via www.mtsusidelines.com

(from http://www.mtsusidelines.com/sports/blue-raiders-look-to-tame-ragin-cajuns-1.896801)
Blue Raiders look to tame Ragin’ Cajuns

By Stephen Curley
Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Blue Raiders look to extend a three-game winning streak Saturday at 3:15 p.m. as the Ragin’ Cajuns of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette visit Floyd Stadium.

MT will look to its rejuvenated rushing attack against a ULL defense giving up 162.7 yards per game.

Sophomore running back D.D. Kyles is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games against Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University, and has helped fill the void left by the absence of Phillip Tanner.

Junior quarterback Dwight Dasher is also coming off consecutive weeks where he rushed for 130 and 178 yards, respectively.

“It is a direct reflection on our offensive line,” head coach Rick Stockstill said. “They have played their three best games of the season. D.D. has run better because he has had more opportunities. He has improved setting up his blocks and reacting to the defense. Dwight has had some dynamic runs as well.”

Dasher looked shaky in the third quarter of an otherwise good performance last week against FIU, throwing three interceptions on MT’s first four possessions.

“There is 70 to 85 plays in a game and he made three poor decisions,” Stockstill said. “There are highs and lows. Everything is not going to be 30 to 40 points per half. How you respond to adversity is what is important.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 229 yards per game through the air, so opportunities to make plays will be there for Dasher. Mistakes will be costly, however, as ULL has intercepted the opposing quarterback 13 times this season. Gerren Blount, Maurice Rolle and Dwight Bentley led the team with three interceptions each.

ULL’s primary offensive playmaker is quarterback Chris Masson, an efficient signal-caller who has thrown for eight touchdowns and rushed for five more in his nine starts this season.

“He is a good player, Stockstill said. “He has done a great job of leading their offense. He is a tough, competitive guy who understands what they want to do and has led them to some good wins this season.”

With running back Undrea Sails out for the season with a fractured leg, the Ragin’ Cajuns will turn to a large group of less experienced backs. The most productive of the group, Brad McGuire, has averaged 5.1 yards per carry and ran for four touchdowns.

“They’re still a great running team,” senior defensive tackle Brandon Perry said. “They’re a different team this year too. Running the ball is one of their main goals and something they always want to do. It will be a very tough game this week.”

The Blue Raiders are still in the mix for the Sun Belt Conference Championship, trailing Troy University by just one game, with the Trojans traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on the University of Arkansas.

"We have no control over what happens with Troy,” Stockstill said. We have a chance, but we need help. The only thing we can control is how we play against Louisiana-Lafayette.”

The game will include the Salute to Armed Services/Veterans, with the Blue Raiders wearing a helmet sticker with the Tennessee-based 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The team will wear the insignia until the regiment leaves Iraq, expected to be in January 2011.

“We just want to show respect for the men and women who are protecting our country,” Stockstill said. “This is a way to honor the entire mid-state and I hope everyone comes out Saturday to show their support."

Links of MTSU Blue Raider football news this week.

Gendreau named Groza Award semifinalist

The Daily News Journal

MTSU sophomore Alan Gendreau is one of 20 semifinalists for the 2009 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award as released by The Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Monday.

Upon Further Review: Report card from MTSU's win over FIU

DNJ.com

MTSU beat writer Adam Sparks gives his analysis of the Blue Raiders' 48-21 win over Florida International Saturday.

MTSU's run game staved off FIU rally

DNJ.com

MTSU earned a blowout win twice Saturday, once in the first half and again in the fourth quarter.

FIU defeat scores MT bowl eligibility

The Sidelines

The Blue Raiders running game continued to gain momentum as it rushed for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns Saturday at Floyd Stadium as MT pounded Florida International University 48-21. "I thought it was a great win for us tonight," head coach Rick Stockstill said.

Dasher slashes through FIU

The Daily News Journal

It wasn't his best game this season at quarterback. However, MTSU junior quarterback Dwight Dasher had his share of bright moments Saturday in the Blue Raiders' 48-21 win over Florida International at Floyd Stadium.

Blue Raiders block two more kicks

The Daily News Journal

MTSU football games have turned into a block party. And by his own announced philosophy of defending kicks, especially punts, Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill never necessarily invited any of his players to the growing get-together now happening at the kicking feet of opponents.

Dasher runs for 3 TDs, passes for 2 more as Middle Tennessee beat Florida International 48-21

WNOL-TV New Orleans

Dwight Dasher ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more as Middle Tennessee beat Florida International 48-21 on Saturday.

Carmichael breaks own fumbles records

The Daily News Journal

MTSU senior linebacker Danny Carmichael took sole possession of two school records in a 48-21 win over Florida International Saturday.

Dasher sets QB rushing record

The Daily News Journal

It wasn't his best game this season at quarterback. However, MTSU junior quarterback Dwight Dasher had his share of bright moments Saturday in the Blue Raiders' 48-21 win over Florida International at Floyd Stadium.

MTSU blasts FIU 48-21

DNJ.com

MTSU enjoyed its best rushing day in more than a decade, as it ran over Florida International 48-21 Saturday.

MT at FAU: Who and what to watch (via Rivals.com)

Via Rivals.com (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=rivals-332377&prov=rivals&type=lgns)




By Randall Thomason, GoMiddle.com Publisher


High stakes are on the line as Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic face off Saturday in Boca Raton.  The winner will earn a spot in the upper echelon of the conference standings and vastly improve potential bowl possibilities.


GoMiddle.com breaks down who and what to watch when the Blue Raiders and Owls tee it up.


THE BIG STATS
HURRIES AND SACKS BY MT’S DEFENSE- FAU trails only Troy in the Sun Belt in passing offense and pass efficiency, which means the Owls are very dangerous every time Rusty Smith drops back to pass. FAU’s offensive line hasn’t allowed a sack in the last two weeks, but MT’s defensive front leads the league in sacks. The cumulative effect of how many times the Raiders can hurry Smith into a forced throw, sack him, or hit him will be a key to the game. MT has to get to him.


MT’S RUSHING YARDAGE- The Raider ground game had a bit of a coming out party last week against WKU. While FAU poses more of a challenge than the Hilltoppers, the Owl run defense has still struggled. MT can open up much more of its offense if FAU is forced to respect the Raiders on the ground, particularly players other than quarterback Dwight Dasher on the ground.


YOU’LL KNOW IT’S GOING WELL IF…
MT’S DEFENSE EXCELS ON THIRD DOWN- Among several impressive offensive stats, one that stands out perhaps above all for FAU is the Owls’ excellence on third down. FAU leads the league in that category and has converted more than 46 percent of its third down plays. On the flip side, MT’s defense leads the league in third down defensive percentage. If the Raiders emerge with the upper hand on FAU’s third downs, then MT will have taken a normal advantage for the Owls and turned it against them.


FAU BECOMES ONE DIMENSIONAL- FAU running back Alfred Morris is one of the best backs in the conference. It would be hard enough to stop him even if the Owls didn’t also have an outstanding passing attack. MT has to find a way to contain Morris so that the Owls face more predictable down and distance situations. If the combination of Morris running and Smith passing keeps the defense off balance, it will be hard to keep the Owls from piling up points.


YOU’LL KNOW IT’S GOING POORLY IF…
IT TAKES EIGHT IN THE BOX TO STOP THE RUN- If Morris starts the game productive on the ground, MT may have to adjust to prevent him from wearing down the defensive front. That could mean trouble if the Owls are able to crank up their play action passing game in their pro style offense. The Blue Raider front seven needs to rise to the occasion against the run so the secondary can focus most of its time defending the aerial assault.


THERE ARE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES ON OFFENSE- This is a game that will require touchdowns to win. Although MT kicker Alan Gendreau has been perfect this season, the Blue Raiders would prefer to see him kicking extra points instead of field goals this week. Red zone trips need to end in touchdowns and anytime the MT offense is granted quality field position to start a drive, it needs to capitalize. In a game that could easily require five touchdowns to win, even a single missed opportunity could be the difference in victory and defeat.


FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS: WHO TO WATCH
QB Rusty Smith, 6-5/230, Senior
THE NUMBERS: 58.7 percent completion percentage, 1,611 yards, 12 TDs, 3 INTs
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Smith is arguably the Sun Belt’s best quarterback and his arm makes the Owls a threat on every play.
BEST CASE: Smith is going to put up some numbers, but MT hopes to hurry him and prevent him from dominating the game through the air.
WORST CASE: If Smith has time to throw, he is capable of a career night every game. FAU’s offensive line will pose a significant challenge to MT’s talented defensive front.


RB Alfred Morris, 5-11/222, Sophomore
THE NUMBERS: 705 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 6 TDs
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Morris is a bruising runner that provides a great balance to Smith and the passing game.
BEST CASE: The Raiders want to hold Morris well under 100 yards on the ground to keep FAU’s offense as one dimensional as possible.
WORST CASE: If Morris is able to run against the front seven, the Raiders will be vulnerable to big play action passes and are more likely to get worn down.


WR Chris Bonner, 6-3/205, Senior
THE NUMBERS: 21 catches for 432 yards, 5 TDs
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Bonner is FAU’s best big play threat through the air, averaging more than 20 yards per reception.
BEST CASE: MT will gladly surrender some catches to Bonner if the secondary keeps him in front and prevents huge gainers.
WORST CASE: Bonner’s combination of size and speed can win a lot of individual battles for deep balls and FAU will take some shots to him down the field.


DL Dino Cox, 6-3/280, Junior
THE NUMBERS: 18 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Cox plugs up space in the line and typically makes big plays if he gets his hands near the ball.
BEST CASE: MT wants to wall off Cox at the line to prevent him from breaking through quickly into the backfield, where he can do major damage.
WORST CASE: Cox’s size and strength could prove very troublesome at the line of scrimmage if MT can’t contain him.


LB Michael Lockley, 6-3/245, Junior
THE NUMBERS: 58 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 FR
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Lockley leads the Owls in tackles and is around the ball on most plays.
BEST CASE: Lockley is likely to rack up a lot of tackles again, but that is fine with MT as long as he doesn’t cause turnovers.
WORST CASE: Lockley is around the ball so much that it’s very possible he could strip a ball loose or tip a pass from the undersized Dwight Dasher.

Pregame Trivia: MT vs. FIU (courtesy Rivals.com)

Questions courtesy of Rivals.com (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=rivals-334470&prov=rivals&type=lgns)


Think you know your Blue Raiders and college football? GoMiddle.com hands out the weekly trivia test to gauge your knowledge of Middle Tennessee football and this week’s opponent, the Florida International Golden Panthers. Each question is assigned a point value. Junior Varsity questions are worth two points, All-Sun Belt questions are worth three points, All-American questions are worth four points and the Hall of Fame Induction question is worth five points. So sharpen up your mind and challenge your friends to prove that you’re the most knowledgeable Blue Raider fan!






JUNIOR VARSITY
1. MT and FIU are two of four Sun Belt schools to have an official nickname that is two words (i.e. Blue Raiders, Golden Panthers). Name one of the other Sun Belt school’s to have an official nickname of two words.
THE ANSWER: Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, Arkansas State Red Wolves


2. MT can reach bowl eligibility by winning its sixth game of the season with a victory over FIU. In what year did the Blue Raiders last reach bowl eligibility?


THE ANSWER: 2006


3. TRUE or FALSE: FIU has never beaten MT in Murfreesboro. -


THE ANSWER: TRUE




ALL-SUN BELT
4. What school was FIU head coach Mario Cristobal an assistant at before taking over the Golden Panthers?


THE ANSWER: Miami (Fla.)


5. MT has four players listed as being from Miami on the official roster. Name one of them. (Add a bonus point if you can name more than one.)


THE ANSWER: Rod Issac, Sancho McDonald, Jamari Lattimore, Derrick Crumpton


6. What Blue Raider assistant coach is in charge of recruiting the South Florida and Miami area? (HINT: Miami is his hometown and he graduated from Florida State)


THE ANSWER: Manny Diaz




ALL-AMERICAN
7. FIU was the first opponent MT faced in the Rick Stockstill era. What was the final score of Stockstill’s first game with the Blue Raiders in 2006?


THE ANSWER: MT 7, FIU 6


8. MT lost 31-21 on the road at FIU last year. One Blue Raider player accounted for MT’s only two touchdowns in the game (Alan Gendreau kicked two field goals in the game). Name the player that scored both of MT’s touchdowns.


THE ANSWER: Phillip Tanner


9. FIU is not an original member of the Sun Belt Conference football lineup. In what year were the Golden Panthers first eligible to win the league championship?


THE ANSWER: 2005




HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
10. In MT’s 47-6 win over FIU in 2007, two Blue Raider players each scored two touchdowns in the game. One player scored both touchdowns rushing and one player scored one rushing and one receiving. Name the two players. (Give yourself two points if you can only name one.)


THE ANSWER: Dwight Dasher, DeMarco McNair

Big Victory-By Sonny

What a win! That was the kind of win that we have not had. Not our best offensive game, but we got it done. We grew up as a team last night. Now we have three straight home games. Everyone get out and support your Blue Raiders. If you don't have tickets, call the ticket office at 615-898-2103 and ask for the "Run for the Bowl" package. 3 games for $30. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!

Blue Raiders pull out comeback win on Halloween at Florida Atlantic

from MTSU Blue Raider Athletic Communications (HERE)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - QuarterbackDwight Dasher sprinted for a career-long 74-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to provide the winning difference in a come-from-behind 27-20 Middle Tennessee victory at Florida Atlantic Saturday afternoon in Sun Belt action. The Owls had one last chance, but a fourth-down pass was ruled out-of-bounds, ending the thriller on Halloween in front of 15,568 fans at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Dasher's career-best dash with 5:31 remaining gave the Blue Raiders a pair of players over the 100-yard barrier, as he finished with 108, trailing only the 140 accumulated by teammate D.D. Kyles, who made his second career start.

Neither offense was able to mount much on either of their opening two possessions, but Florida Atlantic scored first on a 38-yard field goal by Ross Gornall at 8:32 in the first quarter. The Blue Raider defense was able to keep the Owls from marching further down the field despite starting the drive on the FAU 44.

On the next MT drive, Dasher fumbled a pass attempt and Florida Atlantic defensive tackle Josh Savidge scooped up the loose ball and returned it 28 yards down to the 12-yard line. However, a celebration penalty pushed the start of the drive back 15 yards. A short time later, on a fourth down play from the two-yard line, Rusty Smith located a wide-open Avery Holley for the game's first touchdown at 3:30 of the first quarter and a 10-0 Owl lead.

The Blue Raiders' capitalized on a blocked punt by SaCoby Carter for their first score, with only 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter.Sherman Neal grabbed the loose ball behind punter Mickey Groody and returned it 29 yards to bring Middle Tennessee (5-3, 3-1 Sun Belt) within three, 10-7.

The next punt did not fare much better for the Owls. The snap went high, forcing Groody to roll to his left, and Neal was in the backfield to record the tackle. It gave the Blue Raiders the ball on the Owl 37. The drive was halted after three plays, but a 46-yard field goal into the wind by Alan Gendreau at 12:15 of the second quarter knotted the scoring at 10-10.

Florida Atlantic took its next drive right down the field to reclaim the lead with 8:53 remaining in the half. Smith capped the drive by connecting on an 18-yard strike to Cortez Gent in the back left corner for the touchdown, giving FAU a 17-10 advantage.

The margin nearly grew to 10 on the next Owl possession, but as Gornall lined up for a 34-yard field goal, Marcus Udell broke through the line and blocked the kick to keep the Blue Raiders within seven with under three minutes left in the half.

On Middle Tennessee's second play after the turnover on downs, Kyles sprinted 43 yards down the left sideline on his only rush of the first half. The Blue Raiders were not able to advance any further.

Udell then intercepted Smith with 31 seconds to go, giving MT one last shot at a score before the intermission. The pickoff was Smith's first in 187 attempts. Gendreau drained a 23-yard field goal as time expired to pull Middle Tennessee within four, 17-13, at the break.

The Blue Raider ground attack was the focus of the second half's opening possession. The Florida Atlantic (2-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) defense held firm after a pair of Kyles carries brought Middle Tennessee into Owl territory. The defense forced Gendreau to line up for a 47-yard field goal and the kick went wide left, snapping his streak of 12 straight to start the season.

Once again, neither team could manage much of an offensive threat as the clock ticked in the third quarter. Jeremy Kellem was able to get a hand on a Groody punt halfway through the period to raise the blocked kick total to three, the highest by a Middle Tennessee team since the Blue Raiders matched the effort in 2002 against North Texas.

As the fourth quarter started, a 42-yard field goal from Gornell went through the uprights to increase the lead back to seven, 20-13, with 14:55 left. Middle Tennessee wasted no time in evening the score at 20, covering 80 yards in 1:02, as Kyles capped the drive by finding pay dirt from eight yards out to become the first Blue Raider running back to pass the century mark since Phillip Tanner against North Texas last fall.

Udell garnered his second interception of the game on the next FAU drive, intercepting Smith at the Owl 48 yardline. Middle Tennessee threatened to take the lead on its next possession, but a bad snap on the field goal try kept the score deadlocked with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Danny Carmichael led the Blue Raider defense with a career-high 15 tackles, while Cam Robinson added a career-best 14 stops. Kevin Brown and Kellem each registered 10 tackles for Middle Tennessee.

The Blue Raiders will return to the friendly confines of Floyd Stadium for their next three games. The homestand begins at 3:30 p.m. next week against FIU.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE POSTGAME NOTES:

KYLES GETS 100: Sophomore D.D. Kyles, who made his second career start today, registered the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and the first by a Blue Raider since Phillip Tanner had 159 yards against North Texas last year. Kyles rushed 13 times for a career-best 140 yards and a touchdown with 97 of his yards coming in the second half. It went down as just the sixth 100-yard rushing game under Rick Stockstill and two of those have come against FAU.


DASHER TOPS 100 TOO: QB Dwight Dasher recorded his second career 100-yard rushing game against FAU. The junior rushed 14 times for 108 yards, including the go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown. Dasher's 74-yard TD run was the longest of his career and the longest by a Blue Raider since Phillip Tanner went 79 yards in 2007 against Louisville for a score.


REPLAY: SaCoby Carter raced in to block an FAU punt in the first quarter that walk-on Sherman Neal picked up and sprinted 29 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. In the Blue Raiders' last visit to FAU, Jeremy Kellem blocked a punt that was returned for a score by Michael Cannon. The block was the first of Carter's career and the 29th for the Blue Raiders in the FBS era. The team added its 30th later in the quarter.


GENDREAU STREAK ENDS: Sophomore Alan Gendreau extended his consecutive made field goal streak to 12 in a row before seeing it come to an end with a missed 46 yarder in the second half. After a failed MT drive in the first quarter, Gendreau lined up from 46 yards out against the wind. The Apopka, Fla., native split the uprights on a kick that would have easily been good from 50 yards. Gendreau, who later added a 23 yarder at the end of the half, is now 22-for-27 for his career. The 22 field goals ties Archie Arrington for seventh place on the all-time list.


BLOCK PARTY: Middle Tennessee blocked two punts (SaCoby Carter andJeremy Kellem) and a field goal (Marcus Udell) against FAU for its first multiple block game since 2002. That year the Blue Raiders blocked three kicks against North Texas. The three blocks today give the Blue Raiders 11 blocked kicks under Rick Stockstill and five for the season. Overall in 124 FBS games, the Blue Raiders have blocked 12 FGs, 11 punts and 8 PATs. The five blocked kicks this season is the most since the Blue Raiders had five in 2002.


UDELL COMES UP BIG: Senior Marcus Udell turned in one of the best games of his career against FAU. Udell blocked an FAU field goal in the second quarter for his first career block, then on the next FAU possession, he intercepted a Rusty Smith pass to break Smith's streak of 187 attempts without a pick. Udell later added an interception in the fourth quarter to give him a team-best four for the year.


GEE PASSES LYONS: Senior Desmond Gee recorded 123 all-purpose yards against FAU to move up further on the all-time list at Middle Tennessee. Gee passed Vince Hall for seventh and Brigham Lyons for sixth as he ran his career total to 3,903 yards. He needs only 13 more yards to catch Mike Moore for fifth place.


QUICK HITTERS: Jeremy Kellem's blocked punt was the third of his career and the second against FAU ... Middle Tennessee had two players rush for over 100 yards in a game for the first time since ReShard Lee and Dwone Hicks accomplished the feat against New Mexico State in 2002 ... Senior Mark Thompson played in his 45th career game today against FAU and the Blue Raider FBS record is 47 set by Trevor Jenkins ... Middle Tennessee last played on Halloween in 1998 when it defeated Southeast Missouri on the road ... D.D. Kyles had a career long run of 43 yards in the second quarter, his only carry of the first half ... Jamal Lewis started the second half at left guard and Harold Turner started the second half at receiver ... MT had not won in the state of Florida since 2005 until this afternoon ... MT only had 73 yards of total offense in the first half before accumulating 259 in the second half

MT vs FAU 3 Minute Drill (from goblueraiders.tv)