If you can't be here in The "Boro" to catch tonight's big game in person make sure to watch it via TV, radio or online radio. Here are the best ways to tune in....

6:30 PM Central Standard Time


Listen on the radio or online via...
 

Listen to the full interview from today's Stock Report segment of the Thom Abraham Show...

The big day is finally almost here, with almost 24hrs to go before kickoff of the Middle Tennessee vs. Minnesota game (Thursday @ 6:30pm CST). Players and coaches alike are starting to get a little more bounce in their step and are slipping into game mode with a steely focus. Even though its really Wednesday everyone has to convince their mind that its really a Friday which means getting into the normal Friday routine. Coaches will spend most of the morning taking care of personal errands or working out while players will go to all their morning classes. This afternoon all the distractions will be pushed to the side and everyone's focus will be on football only.

Here is an overview of how the day will play out for the players and staff...
11:45am   Coach's Scouting Report Luncheon
3:15pm     Team Meeting
3:30pm     Segment Meetings
4:10pm     "Throw & Catch" in Floyd Stadium
4:30pm     Offensive/Defensive Walk-Thru's
5:20pm     Depart for Hotel
6:00pm     Team Dinner
7:00pm     Team Movie
9:35pm     Team Meeting
10:00pm   Curfew

After the team's light workout on Tuesday evening MTSU President Dr. Sidney McPhee stopped by to speak to the team before Thursday's season opener against Minnesota. Dr. McPhee's visits are a yearly tradition that the players and coaches enjoy because he always provides some some classic light-hearted comments and some motivational content. A loud and proud supporter of Coach Stockstill and the football program, Dr. McPhee complimented the team on their hard work in the classroom and on the field and expressed how much he wants each player to do their very best in every aspect of their life.

As you probably know through our blog updates during the summer there have been some upgrades to the Blue Raider Football Gameday room and weight room complex. New flooring, projectors and other video equipment have made the space more functional and easier to use. Well now come some of the creature comforts...Today a delivery of personalized MT chairs arrived and the support staff quickly unpacked them for today's team meeting. These chairs are the same style chair that is used during the NCAA Final Four but as you can see are proudly showing our MT logos. These chairs are also more comfortable and easier to manage than the old chairs that were breaking down and had retractable arm rest/desk tops attached which made them bulky.

MTSU and Austin Peay have put together a great contest that will benefit several schools in the Middle Tennessee area. Read this article from the DNJ.com about the inagural President's Cup Trophy...

The competition between MTSU and Austin Peay State University won't be limited to their Sept. 11 football game.

The Daily News Journal and Clarksville's newspaper, The Leaf-Chronicle, are sponsoring the inaugural Presidents Cup trophy to honor the most successful campus collection of school supplies leading up to the game.

The local beneficiaries of MTSU donations will be Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools, while supplies collected by APSU will go to Teacher's Warehouse, a long-term classroom supplies resource for teachers.

"It is a great opportunity for the two universities to compete in a spirited activity with the result benefiting both of our communities," says Danny Kelley, MTSU's Associate Dean of Student Life. "And it comes at time when the schools could really use the supplies they are going to receive."

MTSU's donation drive will be led by its Student Government Association, which will scatter some 25 or so collection bins around campus by Friday. Other bins will be placed at specific events. The competition runs through Sept. 10.

Classroom supply items have been given point values, and all the bins on each campus will be collected each day and tallied. During the schools' football game at Floyd Stadium on Sept. 11, the winning school will receive the Presidents Cup presented by Andrew Oppmann, president and publisher of both Gannett Tennessee newspapers.

"The Daily News Journal and The Leaf-Chronicle are thrilled to sponsor the award and encourage the good works being done on both campuses," says Oppmann, who suggested the campus-to-campus charitable competition to MTSU President Sidney McPhee and APSU President Tim Hall.

Point person on the drive for MTSU's Student Government Association is SGA Philanthropic Director Erika Maclin, a junior from Memphis.

"For sure, we want to win the football game," she says. "But it would also be awesome if MTSU won the Presidents Cup, too. That would make for a perfect day."

In addition to traditional supplies like crayons, glue and pencils, the list of needed supplies can include non-traditional items such as carpet squares, wallpaper and paint. Local organizations, businesses and individuals are also being solicited for donations.

"The local schools have already started," Maclin said, "and we want to make sure the students have an abundant amount of school supplies to last throughout the year."

Remember that Coach Stockstill's Radio Show is live tonight from Coaches Grill in Murfreesboro! You can hear it over the airwaves on 560 AM or 101.5 FM or just listen online....




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Here are some shots from Sunday's late practice...

Today the heat and humidity was up in Murfreesboro but that didn't stop the team from having a good Monday practice as game week for Minnesota has begun. Coach Stockstill praised the team's effort and enthusiasm today but continued to remind them to focus on the small details that it takes to be successful. The team will get the rest of the day off before returning on Sunday for meetings and a late afternoon practice.

Here are some shots of today's action...