Tag: Middle Tennessee State

Kellie Harper recaps Lady Vols’ loss to Middle Tennessee State

Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper recaps the Lady Vols’ loss to Middle Tennessee State.

Middle Tennessee State (7-3) defeated Tennessee (4-5), 73-62, Wednesday at Propst Arena and Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Lady Vols are now 261-62-2 all time versus in-state schools. Wednesday’s win is the first for the Blue Raiders in the all time series against Tennessee. Tennessee is 22-1 versus Middle Tennessee State, dating to 1971.

Fifth-year Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper discussed the Lady Vols going forward after suffering a third consecutive loss.

“This one, we’ve got to take some ownership a little bit, more ownership than we’re taking in that locker room right now to be quite honest with you,” Harper said. “I think we are. We’re trying to help them, but at some point they’ve got to step up and help themselves and really challenging our team right now.”

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years

Lady Vols fall to Middle Tennessee State, suffers third consecutive loss

Lady Vols fall to Middle Tennessee State, suffers third consecutive loss.

Middle Tennessee State (7-3) defeated Tennessee (4-5), 73-62, Wednesday at Propst Arena and Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Wednesday’s loss is the third consecutive for the Lady Vols, who fell out of the top 25 after losing at home to Ohio State on Sunday.

The Blue Raiders led, 37-33, at halftime after being tied, 20-20, at the end of the first quarter.

Tennessee’s Karoline Striplin scored a game-high 29 points. She was the only player to score 10-plus pints in the contest for Tennessee.

Striplin also recorded three rebounds and two assists.

Jasmine Powell recorded nine points, five rebounds and four assists, while Destinee Wells finished with eight points and three assists.

Jallynn Gregory scored 22 points to lead the Blue Raiders. She also totaled five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years

Middle Tennessee State hires former SEC head coach

Middle Tennessee State football hires former SEC head coach.

Middle Tennessee State announced the hiring of Derek Mason as the Blue Raiders’ football head coach on Wednesday.

“We are ecstatic to welcome coach Derek Mason to Middle Tennessee and the Blue Raider football program,” Middle Tennessee State director of athletics Chris Massaro said. “With his experience as a head coach, his reputation for coaching fast, aggressive defenses, his strong reputation as a recruiter, and deep connections in college football to formulate an outstanding staff, coach Mason’s vision for MTSU football fits exactly what we were looking for during our interview process. Coach Mason is no stranger to the mid-state community and we expect his connections to allow him and his staff to hit the ground running as our 15th head football coach.”

Mason served as Vanderbilt’s head coach from 2014-20.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

5 takeaways from Alabama’s dominating 56-7 win over Middle Tennessee State in 2023 season opener

The 5 biggest takeaway’s from Alabama’s season-opening victory Saturday night

The Alabama Crimson Tide kicked off their 2023 campaign in dominating fashion with a 56-7 victory over Conference USA foe Middle Tennessee State Saturday night. The Blue Raiders were 8-5 a season ago which included a victory over the Miami Hurricanes who were ranked in the top-25 at the time, so MTSU isn’t quite the cupcake some people have made them out to be.

There is no doubt that Alabama entered the season as one of, if not the most talented teams in the country, but with two new coordinators, a new quarterback, a true freshman left tackle and many more changes, the Tide had some questions to answer. They answered resoundingly as they looked sharp from the jump. The Alabama defense forced a three-and-out to start the game and the offense took over from there with a six-play drive that went for 63 yards and a score, the Tide coasted from there.

There were a lot of positives to take away from game one, and Alabama fans should feel pretty good heading into their highly anticipated matchup with Texas. Here are some of the key takeaways from the Crimson Tide’s stellar performance last night.

Alabama DB Jaylen Key suffers injury vs. MTSU in season opener

DB Jaylen Key heads to locker room before half with injury.

Late in the second half, Alabama DB Jaylen Key was taken to the locker room after suffering an injury against Middle Tennessee State. The severity of the injury is unknown, but it was bad enough that he was not able to finish out the first half.

Key made the defensive play of the first half by picking off the Blue Raiders shortly before half which eventually led to a touchdown. Hopefully, it is nothing serious as he was one of the best-looking players for Alabama in the first half. The Tide secondary looks as if they’ll be the strength of this defense, so losing Key would be a very tough loss.

Alabama takes a 28-0 lead into halftime against the Raiders. Key’s health will be the most important question for Tide fans.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Social Media loses it after Alabama defense forces first turnover of the season

Social media reacts to Crimson Tide’s first turnover the year

The Alabama Crimson Tide currently leads Middle Tennessee State in their 2023 season opener. The Tide rushed out to an early lead, but the offense got stagnant after the second drive. Fortunately, the defense has been outstanding as they are currently pitching a shutout.

The Raiders were driving into Crimson Tide territory late in the second quarter before the Alabama defense forced their first turnover of the season. Jaylen Key, a grad transfer from UAB, intercepted Middle Tennessee State QB Nicholas Vattiato to get the Tide offense back on the field before the half.

The Tide secondary has looked phenomenal to start the season and we will need to continue to see explosive plays like this all season long. Social media had a lot to say about the new Alabama secondary!

Lady Vols to play Middle Tennessee State at neutral site

Tennessee will play Middle Tennessee State at a neutral site.

The Lady Vols will play Middle Tennessee State in a neutral site game on Dec. 6 at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama.

The contest is part of a two-game college basketball showcase in the 8,300-seat venue.

Auburn will play UNC Asheville on Dec.13 in a men’s basketball contest.

The Tennessee-Middle Tennessee State contest is part of a four-game series.

Tennessee will host the Blue Raiders in 2024 and 2026. The Lady Vols will play at Middle Tennessee State in 2025.

Tennessee leads the all time series versus Middle Tennessee State, 22-0.

“I’m pleased to begin a four-game series with Middle Tennessee,” Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper said in a press release. “We are always looking for ways to challenge our team with our schedule and to also help the game of basketball grow around the country.

“Our meeting in Huntsville offers a great opportunity for folks from our state to make a short road trip and for those in Alabama to watch two NCAA Tournament teams battle on a neutral court. We certainly hope our players with ties to the region will also have a great turnout as they make their return.”

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years 

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Laura Mealer transfers to Lady Vols

Laura Mealer transfers to Tennessee softball.

Former Middle Tennessee State infielder Laura Mealer is transferring to the Lady Vols.

Mealer played second base and shortstop for the Blue Raiders from 2022-23. She started 125 games and made the 2022 Conference USA All-Freshman team.

Mealer earned first-team all-conference honors, was a NFCA all-region selection and selected to the Conference USA championship all-tournament team in 2023. She was an all-tournament selection for the NCAA Tournament Tuscaloosa Regional.

Mealer led Middle Tennessee State with a .388 batting average, 12 home runs, 57 RBIs, 78 hits, 20 doubles and 68 runs.

As a freshman, she recorded a .355 batting average, 10 home runs and was a second-team All-Conference USA selection.

Mealer is from Chapel Hill, Tennessee.

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Tennessee State’s all-time records against FBS programs

Get to know the Irish’s 2023 home opener opponent a bit.

Notre Dame has announced that its 2023 home opener will be played against Tennessee State, a Historically Black College and University. On the surface, it’s a great opportunity for a lesser-known program to receive national exposure. However, it also will be the first time the Irish have played a Football Championship Subdivision opponent. The reaction to this news within the fan base mostly has been lukewarm at best and outright negative at worst.

Notre Dame presently is the only Football Bowl Subdivision opponent the Tigers have scheduled for the future. That makes the decision either more of a headscratcher from the Irish’s point of view or it merely makes the Irish an outlier. Either way, the Tigers don’t get to play FBS schools very much, so you better believe they will be hyped for the opportunity. In the spirit of that, let’s take a look at how they have done against teams from college football’s top level:

In-state FBS safety enters transfer portal

An in-state FBS safety enters the NCAA transfer portal.

Middle Tennessee State junior safety Greg Grate has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

“After a long decision, I will be entering the transfer portal for my last year of eligibility,” Grate announced.

Grate played for the Blue Raiders from 2018-21, appearing in 47 games. He totaled 232 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two sacks, eight interceptions, 20 pass deflections, seven forced fumbles and forced one fumble.

He returned one interception for a touchdown.

Grate came to Middle Tennessee State from Miami Carol City Senior High School in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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