2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS MEDIA INFORMATION 2-3 Media Info 108-110 History, Standings, etc. TRAVEL 4 2006 Sched./Quick Facts INFORMATION 5 Primary Media List HISTORY Sept. 3 - Alabama 6-7 Floyd Stadium 112-116 Through the Years Travel: Team will depart Murfreesboro Fri- 8 117-124 Scoreboard day via charter bus and will return imme- 125-126 Record vs Opponents diately following the game. 2005 PREVIEW 127 Hall of Fame Hotel: Birmingham Marriott 10-15 Preview 128 Homecoming Phone: 205-968-4508 15 Spring Awards 129 Coaching Records 16 Starters Returning/Lost 130 All-Time Coaches Oct. 1 - Vanderbilt 17 Depth Chart 131-136 All-Time Lettermen Travel: Team will depart Murfreesboro 18-20 Roster 137 Bowl Games Saturday via bus and will return immedi- 138-139 Blue Raiders in the Pros ately following the game. MEET THE BLUE RAIDERS 140 All-Americans 22-50 Veterans 141-142 All-Conference Oct. 15 - Florida Atlantic 51-52 Other Varsity Candidates 143 Miscellaneous Honors Travel: Team will depart Nashville Friday 53-56 2005 Signees 144 Blue Raiders on TV via charter plane and will return immedi- ately following the game. Hotel: Wyndham Ft. Lauderdale THE COACHES RECORDS Phone: 954-920-3300 58-60 Andy McCollum 146-150 Rushing 61-72 Assistants/Support 151-156 Passing Oct. 29 - Florida International 157-158 Total Offense Travel: Team will depart Nashville Friday THE UNIVERSITY 159-162 Receiving via charter plane and will return immedi- 74-75 The University 163-166 Scoring/Kicking ately following the game. 76 President McPhee 167-168 Punt Return Hotel: Marriott Miami Airport 77 Director of Athletics 169-170 Kickoff Return Phone: 305-649-5000 78-81 Athletic Executive Staff 171-172 All-Purpose 82 Staff Directory 173-174 Punting Nov. 19 - NC State 175-179 Defense Travel: Team will depart Nashville Friday 2004 REVIEW 180-181 Team Single-Game via charter plane and will return immedi- 84-94 Game-by-Game Reviews 182-183 Team Single-Season ately following the game. 95-98 Final Statistics 184 Opponent Single-Game Hotel: Radisson 99 Team Game-by-Game 185-187 The Last Time Phone: 919-549-8631 100 Ind. Game-by-Game 188-189 Annual Statistics Nov. 26 - Troy 101 Starters 190-191 NCAA Rankings Travel: Team will depart Murfreesboro 102-103 Participation 192 GoBlueRaiders.com Friday via charter bus and will return im- 104 O-Line Grades mediately following the game. 105 Offensive Drives Hotel: Holiday Inn 106 Superlatives Phone: 334-566-1150

2005 Middle Football Media Guide Credits The 2005 Football Cowboys, and the . Mission Statement Media Guide is a publication of the Ath- The 2005 Blue Raider guide was printed The MT Athletic Program promotes ex- by Franklin Graphics in Nashville. letic Media Relations Office with the in- cellence in athletics and provides aca- The Middle Tennessee Athletic Media tent to serve all media and followers of demic and athletic opportunities for ev- Blue Raider football. Additional copies Relations staff extends its thanks to all SBC ery student-athlete, the University, and may be purchased for $12. Mail orders and opponent media relations offices, the should include $3 for postage and han- SBC Office, the NFL, and all members of the community. Building on tradition, the dling. past media relations staffs who have as- program advances the University’s re- This year’s guide was written, de- sisted in compiling information that is an in- gional and national stature and creates signed, and edited by Mark Owens, as- tegral part of this guide. Questions, com- opportunities for innovative partnerships sistant athletic director/media relations. ments, or corrections should be directed in throughout the region. Middle Tennessee A special thanks also goes to Bradley writing to Asst. AD/Media Relations Mark State University continually works to Owens at [email protected]. Lambert for his services and to MTSU maximize human, financial, and physical Publications and Graphics for their as- resources to create and heighten the sistance in proofreading. SP032-0605 Cover designs were done by David A Tennessee Board of Regents quality of its sports programs. Lowery of DGL Graphics. University Photography provided by J. Intintoli, Middle Tennessee State University is an equal MTSU Photographic Services (Jack opportunity, nonracially identifiable, educational Ross), and Betsy Johns. Also, the Cleve- institution that does not discriminate against land Browns, , individuals with disabilities.

2005 Blue Raider Football 1 2005 MEDIA INFORMATION

Important Dates July 31 - Aug. 4 ...... Blue Book August 7 .... Team Reports/Physicals August 8-12 ...... Acclimation Period August 12 .... First Full Gear Practice August 20 ...... Media Day/Fan Day August 29 ...... First Day of Class August 30 ...... Press Conference Mark Owens Jo Jo Denise Tony Stinnett September 3 ...... Kickoff vs Alabama Asst. AD Freeman Gideon Assistant Email Addresses Media Relations Assistant Assistant Office: 615-904-8209 Owens ... [email protected] Office: 615-898-5057 Office: 615-898-5270 Office: 615-904-8115 Home: 615-631-9521 Freeman ...... [email protected] Home: 615-907-5797 Home: 615-631-9522 Home: 615-631-9523 Cell: 615-631-9521 Gideon ...... [email protected] Cell: 615-631-9520 Cell: 615-631-9522 Cell: 615-631-9523 Stinnett .... [email protected]

CREDENTIALS Please request interviews at least 24 Raider locker room is CLOSED both Arrangements for media creden- hours in advance. at home and on the road. At home, in- tials for the 2005 football season terviews will be conducted in the should be directed to the Athletic Me- PRACTICE COVERAGE gameday locker room located under dia Relations Office. Requests by ac- Practices are open to the media the stands in the north endzone. On credited media members should be with few exceptions. Media wishing to the road, requested players and Coach made in writing and submitted on com- attend practice are encouraged to con- McCollum will be brought to a desig- pany letterhead to Mark Owens. Pri- tact the Media Relations Office in ad- nated area outside the locker room. ority issuance of credentials will be vance. All members of the media are given to daily newspapers and televi- asked to view practice on the outer PRESS BOX sion stations which cover Middle Ten- edges of the two fields. Once the team The press box is located on the nessee football on a regular basis. Stu- goes into full pads in the fall, TV B-roll west side of Floyd Stadium in the dent publications will be limited to one and still photographers will be allowed tower. Access to Level 4 (print, radio, working credential and one sideline to shoot warm-ups, stretching drills, television) and Level 5 (camera deck) photo pass, if needed. Other creden- and the first portion of practice. Team is via elevators. tial requests will be fulfilled on a space- meetings before, during, and after available basis. practice are private. Practices gener- ally begin at 3:15 PM and conclude at FOOTBALL CONTACT E-MAIL SERVICE 5:30 PM. Mark Owens Football releases can be obtained Asst. AD/Media Relations electronically by contacting Mark PARKING Owens at [email protected]. Parking space can be reserved with Mailing Address Middle Tennessee The release will be sent as a PDF file. a request received by Middle Athletic Media Relations This is a media service ONLY. Tennessee’s Media Relations Office at MTSU Box 20 least one working day prior to the Murfreesboro, TN 37132 WEEKLY game. Media parking is located behind PRESS CONFERENCE the scoreboard on Faulkinberry Drive Overnight Address Coach McCollum will conduct a near the Midgett Business Building. Middle Tennessee weekly press conference each Tues- Entrance to the lot is gained by taking Athletic Media Relations day prior to a Middle Tennessee game. Champions Way off Greenland Drive, 1500 Greenland Drive The conference will begin at 11:30 AM then going right onto Faulkinberry. Sat- Murfreesboro, TN 37132 CST in the new Kennon Sports Hall of ellite trucks will park on the north side Fame building or at a site to be deter- of the pressbox and will enter off Ten- Web Site mined by sponsorship opportunities. nessee Boulevard just before the GoBlueRaiders.com Following McCollum’s presentation Faulkinberry Road entrance. there will be two to three players avail- Important Phone Numbers able for interviews. POSTGAME Media Relations --- 615-898-2968 Fax ------615-898-5626 INTERVIEWS Press Box ------615-898-2312 PLAYER INTERVIEWS After a 10-minute cooling off period, Football Office -----615-898-2926 During the week of games, all requested players and head coach Ticket Office ------615-898-2103 player interviews must be conducted Andy McCollum will be made available Athletic Dept. ------615-898-2450 by the end of practice on Wednesday. to members of the media. The Blue

2 GoBlueRaiders.com PRESS BOX SERVICES area is located at the foot of the eleva- DIRECTIONS TO Complete individual and team sta- tor on the west side of Floyd Stadium. FLOYD STADIUM tistics, play-by-play, and postgame From Nashville International Air- quotes will be available to the media MCCOLLUM INTERVIEWS port: Enter Briley Parkway continuing following each game. One hour prior All interviews with Head Coach south to the Interstate 24 junction. to kickoff, media packets containing Andy McCollum should be directed Take I-24 East to Exit 78B; follow State game programs, flipcards, updated through the Middle Tennessee Media Highway 96 North to Clark Boulevard. stats, and game notes will be distrib- Relations Office. Contact Mark Owens. Turn right on Clark Boulevard (at BP uted in the media working area. A fax station). Follow Clark Blvd. (which be- service is also available upon request. INTERNET GUIDELINES comes Middle Tennessee Boulevard) A pregame meal is served in the din- The acceptance of media creden- to intersection at Greenland Drive. ing area of the press box 90 minutes tials is an acknowledgement of Middle Turn left on Greenland Drive. Murphy before kickoff. Tennessee’s rights to the game and Center and Floyd Stadium are located play-by-play coverage and an outlet’s just to the right. TELEPHONES agreement to abide by any restrictions There are a limited number of tele- Middle Tennessee may place on real From Nashville: From I-24 East, take phones available along press row. time play-by-play coverage and use of Exit 78B; follow State Highway 96 They are for first-come, first-serve use comprehensive game statistics. Fail- North to Clark Boulevard. Turn right only. It is suggested that media mem- ure to abide by these restrictions on Clark Boulevard (at BP station). bers wishing to have a private line con- implemented by MT may result in re- Follow Clark Blvd. (which becomes tact Steve Prichard, director of tele- vocation of press credentials. Middle Tennessee Boulevard) to inter- communications, at 615-898-2991. Middle Tennessee reserves the section at Greenland Drive. Turn left For specific line location, please list right to grant approval for distribution on Greenland Drive. Mark Owens as the contact from the of real time play-by-play, game-related and Floyd Stadium are located just to athletic department. Telephone lines statistics, and information through the the right. for visiting radio networks have been internet. (“real time” is defined as any installed by Middle Tennessee. Recip- online media providing live continual From Chattanooga: Take I-24 West rocating trade agreements for these play-by-play coverage, in-game statis- to Exit 81; follow U.S. Highway 231 lines can be made by contacting Mark tics, digital photographs, or audio or North to Sanbyrn Drive. Turn right onto Owens at 615-898-5057. video of an event.) Middle Tennessee Boulevard to inter- section at Greenland Drive. Turn right MEDIA WILL-CALL WEB SITE onto Greenland Drive. The Greenland A media will-call window will be All of Middle Tennessee’s news re- Drive parking lot is located to the right. operated on game days at Floyd Sta- leases and statistics, as well as other dium for the distribution of credentials information pertaining to the athletic From Knoxville: Take Interstate 40 that have not yet been picked up or department, can be accessed via the West to Lebanon and exit onto U.S. mailed out. The designated pickup Internet at GoBlueRaiders.com. Highway 231 South and follow ap- proximately 25 miles to Clark Boule- vard in Murfreesboro; turn left on Clark GAME WEEK MEDIA SCHEDULE Boulevard. Follow Clark Blvd. (which SUNDAY becomes Middle Tennessee Boule- z Updated cumulative statistics posted on GoBlueRaiders.com vard) to intersection at Greenland Drive. Turn left on Greenland Drive. MONDAY z Weekly release posted on GoBlueRaiders.com by 3 PM Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium are z Andy McCollum and player on SBC teleconference (11:12 AM - 11:20 AM) located just to the right. z Weekly release e-mailed by 5 PM (requested outlets only)

TUESDAY From Birmingham, AL: Take I-65 z Weekly Press Conference at 11:30 AM North to Highway 96 East Franklin z Press Conference quotes posted on GoBlueRaiders.com by 2 PM z Coach McCollum and requested players available for post-practice interviews (TN) exit. Follow Highway 96 East to z Players may return phone calls to out-of-town media following practice Murfreesboro. Continue east on 96 until Clark Boulevard intersection; turn WEDNESDAY z Coach McCollum and requested players available for post-practice interviews right on Clark Blvd. (which becomes z Players may return phone calls to out-of-town media following practice Middle Tennessee Boulevard) to inter- section at Greenland Drive. Turn left THURSDAY z Coach McCollum available for post-practice interviews on Greenland Drive. Murphy Center z Player interviews are NOT available and Floyd Stadium are located just to z Andy McCollum Weekly Radio Show (7 PM) the right.

2005 Blue Raider Football 3 FUTURE SCHEDULES/QUICK FACTS Quick Facts 2005 SCHEDULE General Date Opponent Time Series Location ...... Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Sept. 3 at Alabama TBA Alabama leads 1-0 Founded ...... 1911 Sept. 10 NORTH TEXAS 6 PM NT leads 4-0 Enrollment ...... 22,322 Sept. 17 AKRON 4 PM MT leads 7-1 Conference ...... Sun Belt Sept. 24 Open Affiliation ...... NCAA Division I-A Oct. 1 at Vanderbilt 6 PM Vandy leads 12-2 Nickname ...... Blue Raiders Oct. 8 Open Colors ...... Royal Blue and White Oct. 15 at Florida Atlantic TBA FAU leads 2-0 Stadium ...... Johnny “Red” Floyd Oct. 22 LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE TBA Tied 3-3 Field ...... Horace Jones Field Oct. 29 at Florida International 5 PM First Meeting Capacity ...... 30,788 Nov. 5 ARKANSAS STATE TBA MT leads 5-1 Playing Surface ...... Artificial Turf Nov. 12 LOUISIANA-MONROE TBA MT leads 4-1 President ...... Sidney McPhee Nov. 19 at NC State TBA NCSU leads 1-0 Faculty Rep...... Terry Whiteside Nov. 26 at Troy TBA MT leads 10-2 Director of Athletics ...... Chris Massaro 2004 RESULTS (5-6; 4-4) NCAA Division ... I-A (17 sports; 8M/9W) Sept. 11 at Akron W, 31-24 First Year of Football ...... 1911 Sept. 18 FLORIDA ATLANTIC L, 20-27 Seasons Played ...... 90 (93-year span) Sept. 25 at Louisiana-Lafayette L, 17-24 All-Time Record ...... 488-344-28 Oct. 2 at North Texas L, 21-30 Bowl Game Record ...... 2-2 Oct. 9 ARKANSAS STATE W, 45-17 Last Postseason Appearance ...... 1994 Oct. 16 at #22 Florida L, 16-52 Oct. 23 IDAHO W, 34-14 Team Oct. 30 UTAH STATE W, 21-0 Head Coach ...... Andy McCollum Nov. 6 at New Mexico State L, 10-44 Alma Mater ...... Austin Peay, 1981 Nov. 13 LOUISIANA-MONROE W, 37-24 Record at MT ...... 30-38/6 Years Nov. 20 at Troy L, 17-37 Overall Record ...... 30-38/6 Years Offensive Coord./WR ...... Darin Hinshaw Tight Ends ...... Glen Elarbee TENTATIVE 2006 SCHEDULE Defensive Coord./Safeties .. Mark Criner (listed schedule is incomplete and expected to change) Asst. HC/Defensive Line Kevin Fouquier Offensive Line ...... Scott Fountain 2006 Quarterbacks ...... Alex Robins Sept. 2 at Vanderbilt Running Backs ...... Floyd Walker Sept. 9 at Maryland Linebackers ...... Art Kaufman Cornerbacks ...... Derek Jones Sept. 16 UAB Graduate Assistant ...... Brendan Farrell Sept. 23 vs Louisville (Nashville) Director of Operations Richard Burnoski Administrative Asst...... Chris Matusek Sept. 30 *at North Texas Head Athletic Trainer ... Joe-Joe Petrone Oct. 7 *Florida International 2004 Record ...... 5-6; 4-4 Oct. 14 *at Louisiana-Monroe Offense ...... Multiple Defense ...... 4-3 Oct. 28 *at Louisiana-Lafayette Lettermen Returning/Lost ...... 50/18 Nov. 4 *Florida Atlantic Offensive Starters Returning/Lost .... 8/2 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost .. *9/3 Nov. 11 *at Arkansas State *Jonathan Bonner is listed as a starter Nov. 25 *Troy *Sun Belt Conference Games (Looking to schedule one more game) Pierre Ingram and the Blue Raiders will host Louisville in Nashville in 2006.

4 GoBlueRaiders.com PRIMARY MEDIA LIST Knoxville News-Sentinel The Sports Zone (2-7 PM) Newspaper P.O. Box 59038 George Plaster, Willy Daunic, Darren Daily News Journal .. 615-893-5860 Knoxville, TN 37950 McFarland P.O. Box 68 Sports Editor (865-342-6398) [email protected] Murfreesboro, TN 37130 [email protected] Wakeup Zone (6-9 AM) Greg Pogue, Monte Hale, Adam Sparks Mark Howard, Frank Wycheck, Kevin Ingram [email protected], [email protected], Jackson Sun ...... 731-427-3333 [email protected] 245 West Lafayette 560 AM ...... 615-844-1039 Jackson, TN 38301 P.O. Box 90972 The Tennessean ...... 615-259-8000 Bob Heist Nashville, TN 37209 1100 Broadway [email protected] Greg Pogue, Dave Coleman Nashville, TN 37202 [email protected] Mike Organ Cleveland Banner .... 423-472-5041 [email protected] P.O. Box 3600 WLAC 1510 AM ...... 615-664-2400 Cleveland, TN 37320 55 Music Square West Rutherford A.M...... 615-225-4047 Richard Melvin Nashville, TN 37203 211 West Main Street [email protected] Brent Dougherty, Duncan Stewart Murfreesboro, TN 37130 [email protected] Tom Kreager Kingsport Times ...... 423-392-1323 [email protected] 701 Lynn Garden Drive WGNS 1450 AM ...... 615-893-5373 Kingsport, TN 37760 306 South Church Street Blue Raider Nation .. 615-849-1222 Ron Bliss Murfreesboro, TN 37130 2126 Sulphur Springs [email protected] Sports Director Murfreesboro, TN 37129 [email protected] [email protected] Sports Nashville ...... 615-250-3967 631 Second Avenue South, Suite 1F WMOT 89.5 FM ...... 615-898-2800 Associated Press ..... 615-373-9988 Nashville, TN 37210 MTSU Box 3 215 Centerview Drive, Suite 110 Sherry Stinson, Blake Fulton Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Brentwood, TN 37027 [email protected] Randy O’Brien, Sean Jacobs Teresa Walker [email protected] [email protected] Television WMTS 88.3 FM ...... 615-898-5051 Sidelines ...... 615-898-2816 WKRN TV 2 (ABC) .... 615-248-7240 MTSU Box 58 MTSU Box 42 441 Murfreesboro Road Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Nashville, TN 37210 Sports Director ...... [email protected] Sports Editor John Dwyer ...... [email protected] [email protected] WJLE 101.7 FM ...... 615-597-4265 WSMV TV 4 (NBC) .... 615-353-2231 2606 McMinnville Hwy. Shelbyville-Times .... 931-684-1200 P.O. Box 4 Smithville, TN 37166 P.O. Box 380 Nashville, TN 37202 Tom Duggan Shelbyville, TN 37162 Rudy Kalis ...... [email protected] [email protected] Danny Parker [email protected] WTVF TV 5 (CBS) ..... 615-248-5285 Blue Radio Network 474 J. Robertson Parkway Chattanooga Free Press 423-757-6273 Nashville, TN 37219 Dick Palmer ...... Play-by-Play 400 E. 11th St. Hope Hines P.O. Box 1865 Chattanooga, TN 37401 [email protected] Murfreesboro, TN 37127 Jay Greeson 615-895-6514 [email protected] WZTV 17 (FOX) ...... 615-244-1717 631 Mainstream Drive Chip Walters ...... Color City Paper ...... 615-298-9833 Nashville, TN 37228 1926 Black Fox Crossing 3322 West End Avenue, 10th Floor Paul Jones ...... [email protected] Murfreesboro, TN 37127 Nashville, TN 37203 931-684-5915 Dominic Bonvissuto MT TV 10 (Campus) . 615-898-5050 [email protected] MTSU Box 58 Statistician ...... Gary Millsaps Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Spotter ...... Wayne Groce Commercial Appeal . 901-529-2360 Director ...... [email protected] 495 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 Radio Gary Parrish [email protected] 106.7 The Fan ...... 615-885-9986 10 Music Circle East Tullahoma News ...... 931-455-4545 Nashville, TN 37203 P.O. Box 400 Blake Fulton, Joe Biddle, Pete Webber Tullahoma, TN 37388 [email protected] Robert Holman [email protected] 104.5 The Zone ...... 615-244-9533 P.O. Box 101604 Nashville, TN 37224

2005 Blue Raider Football 5 FLOYD STADIUM Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium pro- vides Middle Tennessee with one of the finest football facilities in the region and in the Sun Belt Conference. Not only is it an ideal place to spend a Saturday afternoon, but it has become quite an advantage for the hometown Blue Raiders. As a member of I-A, the Blue Raid- ers are 22-9 in their friendly confines and enter the 2005 season having won 20 of their last 25 at Floyd Stadium. Sun Belt Conference opponents have not had an easy time at Floyd Stadium, either. In four years, the Blue Raiders are 10-3 against league foes at home. Floyd Stadium has become syn- onymous with the success of Blue capacity of the east grandstands, in- announced plans for a $25 million Raider football, but the stadium in creasing capacity to approximately renovation, which was approved by the place today has come a long way since 14,000. In addition, a new, larger press State Building Commission. After a its humble beginnings. Several reno- box was added to the west side of the lengthy bid process, ground was offi- vation projects have shaped the sta- stadium. The face of Johnny “Red” cially broken for the stadium in Janu- dium from a mediocre field to the top- Floyd Stadium changed again prior to ary of 1997 with Turner Construction quality football facility it is today. the 1971 season. However, this handling the project. The story of Floyd Stadium begins change was not related to the grand- Upon completion, the stadium fea- in 1933 with the birth of Horace Jones stand infrastructure. The opening of tured 30,788 seats with only the east Field. The site of Middle Tennessee’s Riverdale and Oakland high schools side grandstands remaining from the home turf consisted of a playing field in Murfreesboro and a few portable bleachers. This was and the subse- Floyd Stadium’s Top Crowds the layout until a major renovation took quent use of 1. 27,568 Tennessee State 9/5/98 W 28-27 place in the late 1940s that gave Floyd Stadium Horace Jones Field a concrete grand- by these 2. 27,519 Southeast Missouri 9/28/02 L 24-14 stand structure. The stadium remained schools promp- 3. 23,261 Florida Atlantic 8/28/03 L 20-19 the same until the first of a series of ted Middle Ten- 4. 23,106 Idaho 10/6/01 W 70-58 major renovations took place in 1960. nessee to install 5. 21,723 Troy State 9/8/01 W 54-17 The capacity of Floyd Stadium grew artificial turf on 6. 20,113 Arkansas State 11/3/01 W 54-6 from 6,200 to 10,000 with new seat- Horace Jones 7. 17,427 Louisiana-Monroe 10/14/00 W 28-0 ing locations and the addition of a Field. The first press area. In 1968, the facility saw MT game played on the turf took place original structure. The old press box another major renovation. Construc- on Oct. 2, 1971, against Chattanooga. gave way to a five-story tower includ- tion more than doubled the seating The Raiders did not disappoint, defeat- ing luxury suites on the third level, a ing the Mocs 23-13. large press area and a few suites on Attendance at Floyd Success at the I-AA level and a the fourth level, and a camera deck on Since Becoming a I-A Member desire to put the University into the the fifth level. The renovation also in- (1998 was qualifying year) national spotlight led to discussion of cluded the addition of more chair-back Year G/Avg. a move to NCAA Division I-A football. seats as well as a club level. 2004 ...... 5/13,019 The qualifications for the move in- In addition to the spectator facilities, 2003 ...... 6/11,021 cluded an attendance average of the stadium complex includes a team 2002 ...... 5/11,163 17,000 per game and a stadium seat- meeting room, position meeting 2001 ...... 5/17,857 ing at least 30,000. rooms, a 10,000 square foot weight 2000 ...... 5/12,165 The move to NCAA Division I-A room for all Middle Tennessee teams, a new academic center for Blue Raider 1999 ...... 5/12,472 football was the catalyst for the most recent renovation to Floyd Stadium. student-athletes, and access to 1998 ...... 4/21,314 On August 24, 1995, the University Murphy Athletic Center from the sta-

6 GoBlueRaiders.com Floyd Stadium Quick Facts Capacity: 30,788 First Game: 1933 vs J’ville State MT Record: 247-93-13 Longest Win Streak: 31 Important Dates 1933: Horace Jones Field Opens 1940: Permanent concrete stands added to Horace Jones Field 1956: 100th game - Oct. 6 vs EKU 1960: Horace Jones Field expanded to 10,000 seats 1968: Stadium officially becomes Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium/ Horace Jones Field 1968: Seating capacity expanded to 14,000 1971: Artificial turf installed 1975: 200th game - Oct. 18 vs Murray St. 1994: 300th game - Oct. 1 vs EKU 1998: Complete renovation expands seating capacity to 30,788 1998: Largest crowd (27,568) sees MT defeat TSU 2000: First-ever home game vs I-A opponent (Louisiana Tech) 2001: First SBC home game (Idaho) 2003: First BCS opponent at Floyd collectively called the Blue Cross Bowl, tories and a few heartbreaking defeats. have been played at Floyd Stadium It has taken many forms and is now three years in a row. poised to become one of the nation’s During its existence, Floyd Stadium most recognized college football ven- has been the site of many thrilling vic- ues. The suites in Floyd Stadium have their own restrooms, dium by a new walkway. The stadium refrigerators, also allows for further expansion that bars, lockable would provide an increase of approxi- wood cabinets, mately 40,000 seats, putting capacity and plush over the 70,000 mark. seating areas. The first game in the renovated sta- dium took place on Sept. 5, 1998. The game, in which Middle Tennessee hosted local rival Tennessee State, drew a school and OVC record 27,568 Floyd fans. The attendance helped push Stadium is Middle Tennessee over the top for its equipped I-A qualifying attendance of 17,000 per with 16 game. indoor suites Floyd Stadium is not only the home and 22 of Blue Raider football: the TSSAA outdoor uses the facility as well. The high boxes. school state championship games,

2005 Blue Raider Football 7 BLUE RAIDER NETWORK On The Air Dick Palmer Chip Walters Blue Raider Network Play-by-Play Color Analyst Dick Palmer Chip In 2005, the Blue Raider Network is in his 25th Walters, the will welcome WVRY FM 105.1 as its season of call- media and pub- flagship station in Nashville, Tenn., ing the play-by- lic relations di- while local station WGNS 1450 AM rector for the play action of and WMOT FM 89.5 will be the Blue Tennessee Middle Tennes- Raiders’ hometown carriers. The com- Walking Horse see football bination of the three stations will pro- National Cel- and basketball. vide coverage in a 93-mile radius of ebration, be- Palmer, a 1960 graduate of Middle gins his 14th season on the Blue Murfreesboro. Tennessee, has been broadcasting Raider Network and his third as color WVRY and WGNS will carry all sporting events for the past 47 years. analyst. Blue Raider football and men’s bas- From 1971 until his return to He also serves as the Celebration’s ketball games, along with the Andy public address announcer. Murfreesboro, Palmer was the voice Mac LIVE and Kermit Davis radio Walters, a 1985 graduate of Middle of the Memphis Blues Class AA base- shows. Tennessee, was the marketing and ball team, the Memphis Pros (later the WVRY, a 50,000-watt station that promotions director at MT from 1994 will originate all broadcasts, will to 2003. Prior to working for Middle Tennes- carry Blue Raider football see, Walters worked several and basketball as far north jobs in sports broadcasting as Hopkinsville, Ky., and as including serving as far south as Lawrenceburg, sports director of the Tenn. It will also reach past Tennessee Radio Net- Lexington, Tenn., to the work from 1986 to 91. west. WVRY has carried Walters called play-by-play for minor league baseball af- Blue Raider football and Tams) in the American Basketball As- filiate the Nashville Sounds and did basketball as an affiliate in the past. sociation, and the Memphis Grizzlies freelance television work for WNAB WGNS, which makes its return to in the World Football League. Earlier, and WSMV. carrying Blue Raider athletics for the he worked in Jackson, Tenn., for nine A native of Columbia, Tenn., first time in over a decade, will blanket Walters is single and enjoys golf, mov- years, broadcasting a wide range of the local area by reaching to ies, music, traveling, hockey, Tennes- high school sports as well as Union McMinnville to the east, Columbia to see Walking Horse shows, and spend- University’s basketball games. the west, and Gallatin to the north. ing time with friends. Palmer, who co-hosted the first Campus station WMOT 89.5 FM Gameday Lineup sports call-in show in Nashville during will also broadcast football and men’s Pregame Show: The Blue the mid-70s, was the studio host for basketball games for Middle Tennes- Raider Network hits the airwaves 90 football broadcasts for five see in 2005-06. WMOT, a 100,000- minutes prior to kickoff and will have years and has called the TSSAA Bas- watt station, will reach beyond Bowl- game analysis, interviews, statistical ketball State Tournament on the Ten- breakdowns of both teams, a scout- ing Green, Ky., to the north and nessee Network every ing report, previews of other Sun Belt Cookeville, Tenn., to the east. year since 1982. games and final thoughts from head For the fourth year in a row, the A Little League baseball coach for coach Andy McCollum. Blue Raider Network will rely on the over 40 years, Palmer is operations di- services of the Tennessee Radio Net- Halftime: The network has a rector for Palmer Wholesale. Currently, work (a division of Clear Channel Net- scoring recap, statistical break- he is coaching in the Optimist Little works) to distribute the games via their downs, guests, and special features League. digital satellite system. This will pro- including updates of activities involv- Palmer and his wife DeLois have ing other MT athletic teams. vide the cleanest and sharpest sound three sons, Richard, Mike, and Jon, quality available to the listener. and one granddaughter, Kaitlyn. Postgame Show: Includes a All Blue Raider football and men’s game recap, scoreboard update, fi- basketball broadcasts can also be nal statistics, player interviews from heard via the internet at the locker room, and Coach GoBlueRaiders.com. McCollum’s postgame comments. There will also be an hour-long call- in show.

8 GoBlueRaiders.com