Homecoming at Middle Tennessee State did not provide a marquis game by any means with both teams edging the abyss of non-bowl eligibility. But, the game turned out to be a nail-biter as the Blue Raiders jumped out early and held onto a 24-21 victory.
The game really did not mean much with both teams having six losses and a conference title far from reach. But, this is still football in the south and that southern flavor still lives even in the smallest of venues. Upon arriving into Murfreesboro, we saw many passionate tailgaters not only grilling burgers and tossing footballs, but also dancin’ to some funk. There was a conga-line type group of dancers rollin’ out a soulful version of the electric slide. This wasn’t the north where the most soul you’d find would be at the bottom of your shoe. Really, these fans had it goin’ on.
The Sun Belt conference may be the weakest in division 1 football, but the fans still pour their hearts out for their teams. The Blue Raiders are no exception. Even with the rough season they have experienced, many fans turned out on this chilly afternoon in central Tennessee. Their efforts paid off as MTSU brought home a homecoming victory. The Blue Raiders owned the first half, but Louisiana-Monroe made it a game in the third quarter closing the MTSU lead to three. The key play came at the end of the third quarter when the Warhawks missed a 32 yarder that would have tied the score. The kicked sailed left and hit the concrete giving MTSU the momentum shift it needed. They pounded out a touchdown march on the ensuing drive and held on to win. For me and the college football tour, the day would only get more exciting as we hopped in the car and drove up I-24 gearing up for the big Florida/Vanderbilt game…
