By
Jacob Cook
Middle
Stew
MURFREESBORO,
Tenn.- The Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders defeated Troy on Nov.
24 with the last home game of the year for seniors after forcing five turnovers
and playing hard-nosed football.
The
Blue Raider seniors took the field for the last time against Troy, a rival that
MTSU has struggled with in the past, losing the last six meetings between the
two. With the help of five turnovers and some big plays, the Blue Raiders took
home a 24-21 victory over their foe.
Senior
placekicker Carlos Lopez connected with three crucial field goals, while
redshirt freshman Kevin Byard forced a fumble and a pick six, and added another
interception along with six tackles to help keep the game in the Blue Raiders’
favor. Freshman running back Jordan Parker ran away with a couple records also,
setting a team high in rushing yards with 778 and scoring on a 98-yard run, the
longest in MTSU and Sun Belt history.
Blue
Raider coach Rick Stockstill said before the game that Troy had never played a
team as talented as the one he has now. He couldn’t have been more right.
With
that win, Raider Nation now has its eighth win of the season and sixth in the
division. Unfortunately, that was
not enough to earn them a bowl bid. Stockstill has led his team to two bowl
games in the past four years.
Raider Nation
faced off against Arkansas State on Dec. 1. They lost 45 to nothing with the
conference title on the line and a bowl game almost in their grasp.
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