MUTS to host Virginia Cavaliers

MeanGreen61 · June 18, 2005

MUTS also hosting Louisville in Nashville in '06.

From Yahoo Sports

Blue Raiders to play Virginia Cavaliers

By Matthew Orenstein, Sidelines

June 17, 2005

(U-WIRE) MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Middle Tennessee State Athletic Director Chris Massaro announced a verbal agreement with the University of Virginia to play football in Murfreesboro, Tenn., during the 2007 season. The Cavaliers have agreed to be the first team in the Atlantic Coast Conference to play at Floyd Stadium.

"We're excited to be associated with an institution like Virginia," Massaro told MT media relations. "When you talk about a complete program, both academically and athletically, the University of Virginia is at the top of the list."

Massaro has signed a letter of understanding with the ACC and the Mid-American Conference to play either on Sept. 22 or Oct. 6 of 2007.

The Blue Raiders now have on their home schedule for the next three years teams from one of the big conferences.

In 2006, the Blue Raiders will play Louisville from the Big East Conference in Nashville at the Coliseum. Maryland will be the second ACC team to play at MTSU when the Terrapins come to Floyd Stadium in 2008.

"Bringing in teams the caliber of Louisville, Virginia and Maryland gives tremendous value to our student body, ticket holders, alums, Rutherford County and all the area businesses. It should also be a big boost to the [blue Raider Athletic Association] and our corporate sponsors," Massaro told MT media relations.

Middle Tennessee and Virginia have never played each other in football. The Cavaliers are usually ranked in the top 25 and coached by former New York Jets head coach Al Groh. Virginia has been to three straight bowl games and sent seven players to the NFL in 2005.

"After facing so many of these type teams on the road for the past six years, it is going to be great to face them in Floyd Stadium," head coach Andy McCollum told MT media relations.

"This gives us an opportunity to showcase our facility and play quality opponents in a place where our teams have traditionally been very successful. This is a great day for Middle Tennessee football and our loyal fans."

NT80 · June 18, 2005

NT was to host Virginia in Denton sometime in the near future ~2009. Not sure if that game, as well as the future Air Force game, will still happen.

Greeneagle87 · June 18, 2005

NT was to host Virginia in Denton sometime in the near future ~2009. Not sure if that game, as well as the future Air Force game, will still happen.

Finally, someone varifies this, I asked about the virginia game like five times before.

The AF game will not be one to cancel, that will be attended my many(hopefully in our new stadium).

PlummMeanGreen · June 18, 2005

NT was to host Virginia in Denton sometime in the near future ~2009. Not sure if that game, as well as the future Air Force game, will still happen.

As long as we have the Fouts Field dressing room for visitors (and words gets out about Baylor's experience in it at half time) I predict it won't happen, NT80. Of course, the visitor's dressing room is all that is wrong with Fouts Field, right? (You know, had they not put a track in that stadium who knows what we'd be doing with it today----of course, TxDOT still needs their land adjacent to Fouts now don't they)?

One thing about MT is that they obviously didn't have a track coach as their AD when they went about building their football stadium, but NORTH TEXAS did.

BUILD IT!

Edited June 18, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

SUMG · June 18, 2005

Explain this to me:

"Massaro has signed a letter of understanding with the ACC and the Mid-American Conference to play either on Sept. 22 or Oct. 6 of 2007. "

Why would the letter of understanding be between the ACC and the MAC?

MeanGreen61 · June 18, 2005

Explain this to me:
"Massaro has signed a letter of understanding with the ACC and the Mid-American Conference to play either on Sept. 22 or Oct. 6 of 2007. "
Why would the letter of understanding be between the ACC and the MAC?

Probably part of the arrangements made due to Temple pulling out of the MUTS game this year. Caused a domino effect on scheduling for several schools.