MTSU-Memphis agree to five-year football contract
The Blue Raiders have now set their home schedule over the next four years to include a top quality non-conference opponent each season. In 2006, Middle Tennessee will host Louisville of the Big East in Nashville at The Coliseum, and then take on the Virginia Cavaliers in Murfreesboro in 2007. Maryland will become the second ACC team to play at Floyd Stadium in as many years when the Terrapins visit Murfreesboro in 2008 followed by the Memphis Tigers in 2009.
“I want to thank all those involved at Memphis for making this series happen,” said Massaro. “It will be a great series for college football fans in Tennessee and is a natural game for both institutions. It excites us to play Memphis for the first time in 53 years. It is our hope that this game develops into one of the great in-state rivalries in college football.”
The Blue Raiders will take on the Tigers in Memphis in 2007, 2008, and 2010, while hosting the in-state rival in 2009 and 2011.
“Now is the time to buy season tickets and get on board because there is going to be a lot of exciting football in Floyd Stadium,” added Massaro.
The Blue Raiders and Tigers have met 20 times on the gridiron with the last meeting in 1954. Memphis leads the series, 12-7-1, with each contest taking place from 1925 to 1954.
“It is so important to develop an in-state rival, which we really have not had in the I-A era and this is a step in that direction,” said Head Coach Andy McCollum. “More importantly this is something our fans have wanted for a very long time and Chris Massaro deserves a lot of credit for making it happen. We are excited at the direction of our future schedules.”