Sophomore QB Logan Kilgore
Many say MTSU’s 2010 season was somewhat disappointing after such high hopes beforehand and the controversy surrounding Dwight Dasher’s financial dealings caused more talk than the middle-of-the-pack results.
A highlight of the season and to the team’s credit, they scored victory over Sun Belt champs Florida International in the regular season closer. This win brought the Blue Raiders’ record to just 6-6, but this was enough for the good folks at the GoDaddy.com Bowl to invite MTSU to take on the Miami Redhawks in that game down in Mobile.
MTSU started the bowl game solid, but an offensive collapse in the second half included four Dasher interceptions.
Last season, the Blue Raiders ran a strong running game overall, but did struggle with pass efficiency and unfortunately, fell dead last in the NCAA FBS in turnover margin—120th out of 120. The team gave up 19 more turnovers than they received, and that is a stat no coach wants to be anywhere near.
“We’ve been good since I’ve been here protecting the ball,” MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill said after the loss to Miami. “But we weren’t this season.”
This year Dwight Dasher and the drama he caused on and off the field are gone, and 6′ 3″ sophomore Logan Kilgore is taking the offensive reigns.
“We are moving forward with him as our starter,” Stockstill said, though called the competition for the starting spot between Kilgore and Jeff Murphy “one of the best quarterback battles I’ve ever been around.”
Senior tailback D.D. Kyles, expected to carry much of the offensive load this year, has missed some practice due to a hamstring injury, and may not play against Purdue in the opener.
The Blue Raiders truly have a chance to redeem themselves in 2011; they play five out of the six opponents who beat them in the regular season last year—Memphis, Georgia Tech, Arkansas State, Troy and North Texas; the Georgia Tech, Memphis and Arkansas State games will all be hosted in Murfreesboro.
The Blue Raiders will travel to Rocky Top for only the second time in school history, playing the University on Tennessee on Nov. 5.
2011 MTSU football schedule:
Sept. 3 Purdue – West Lafayette, Ind., 11 a.m.
Sept. 10 Georgia Tech – Murfreesboro, 6 p.m.
Sept. 24 Troy – Troy, Ala. 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Memphis – Murfreesboro, 6 p.m.
Oct 6 Western Kentucky – Murfreesboro
Oct. 22 Florida Atlantic – Boca Raton, Fla., 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 Louisiana – Murfreesboro (Times TBD)
Nov. 5 Tennessee – Knoxville, Tenn.
Nov. 12 Louisiana-Monroe – Monroe, La.
Nov. 19 Arkansas State – Murfreesboro
Nov. 26 Florida International – Murfreesboro
Dec. 3 North Texas – Denton, Tex.
