Punter excelled in classroom, and on the field
DALLAS, May 2, 2012 - The National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today the members of the 2012 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 721 players from 232 schools qualified for membership in the society's sixth year, an 80 percent increase from the inaugural class in 2007.
Middle Tennessee’s Nathaniel Toulson was on this prestigious list for his work in the classroom and on the football field. Toulson was the team’s primary punter for all 12 games last season and turned in a career-best 50 punts for a 40.1-yard average.
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society capitalizes on the NFF's current National Scholar-Athlete program greatly expanding the number of scholar-athletes the NFF can recognize each year. The program further strengthens the organization's leadership role in encouraging academic performance by the student-athletes who play football at the more than 700 college and universities with football programs nationwide. Jon F. Hanson, the chairman and founder of The Hampshire Companies, provided the endowment to launch the NFF Hampshire Honor Society in 2007. He made the contribution as part of his legacy to the organization after serving as NFF chairman from 1994-2006. He currently serves the organization as a chairman emeritus. Each player awarded with membership in this year's Honor Society will receive a certificate commemorating their achievement.
The Hampshire Honor Society represents a powerful component in the organization's rich history as an innovator in promoting the scholar-athlete ideal. Launched in 1959 with a donation from Hall of Fame coach Earl "Red" Blaik, the NFF's National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, became the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's combined academic success, football performance and community leadership. And, since its inception, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program has awarded $9.8 million to 756 top scholars and community leaders.
Currently, the NFF distributes more than $300,000 a year at the national level through the program to 16 individuals. Each winner of a National Scholar-Athlete Award receives an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. Additionally, the William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, is given to one member of each year's class as the absolute best. The winner of the Campbell Trophy, claimed by Army linebacker Andrew Rodriguez in 2011, receives a total scholarship of $25,000 and a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy. Through, its chapter network, the NFF also awards an additional $1 million to local high school student-athletes, bringing the NFF's annual scholarship distribution total to more than $1.3 million.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Beyah to Saints, Boss to Redskins
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Former Middle Tennessee football players Malcolm Beyah and Colin Boss have signed as free agents in the NFL. Beyah, a wide receiver, has inked with the New Orleans Saints, and Boss has agreed to join the Washington Redskins.
Beyah, out of Chamblee, Ga., ended his career ranked fifth in all-time receptions, seventh in receiving yards, and eighth in touchdown grabs. As a senior, Beyah turned in a career-best 45 receptions for 497 yards and six touchdowns.
Boss, a first team All-Sun Belt pick last year, worked at every position on the offensive line during his career but focused more on center his last two seasons. The Temple Terrace, Fla., native did not allow a sack this past season and registered 43 total knockdowns.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
White picks up 40-17 victory over Blue
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – White avenged its only loss under head coach Rick Stockstill from a year ago with a strong performance Saturday afternoon to defeat Blue, 40-17, under non-traditional scoring rules during the annual Spring game at Floyd Stadium in front of 4,214 fans.
In a contest pitting offense versus defense the entire game, White was awarded seven points per quarter and four for each turnover it created. It grabbed two interceptions for eight points and caused a fumble near the goal line to raise its total to 40.
Meanwhile, the Blue offense found the offense only twice and tacked on a field goal to provide its 17 points.
It did not take long, however, for the Blue to get its first points on the scoreboard as it found pay dirt on the opening possession. It marched 65 yards on just 12 plays, including five Benny Cunningham carries for 17 yards. Logan Kilgore also opened with a sharp effort, completing his first four passing attempts for 47 yards, including an eight-yard strike to Kyle Griswould. The redshirt junior signal caller also located Tavarres Jefferson during the drive for a 20-yard gain.
Blue would quickly add more points in its column on the next possession behind second-string Shaun White. White hit Arthur Williams for a 47-yarder, advancing the ball to inside the 10 at the seven. However, the defensive unit then stepped up and allowed only three more yards before Carlos Lopez kicked a 21-yard field goal to give Blue 10 points.
From then on, however, the White team, allowed just one more scoring play, in the third quarter, as it stepped up its efforts on the defensive side. Following a scoreless second frame for Blue, it was able to punch the ball across late in the quarter.
Shaun White again directed the scoring drive, this time a six-play, 31-yard possession, in which the highlight was a 27-yard completion to Harold Turner Jr. to the 2-yard line. A pair of Kennedy McGruder one-yard dashes later, the redshirt senior fullback placed the ball over the plane for the game’s final touchdown.
Overall, the Blue offense gained 484 yards on 104 plays, including 373 through the air. Kilgore connected on 15-of-26 for 216 yards and a touchdown, while White added 14-of-28 for 140 yards. Both players through interceptions.
Khari Burke stepped in front of Kilgore’s pass at the White 36-yard line and sprinted down the sideline for a 33-yard return during third quarter action. Meanwhile, John Kelly grabbed a Shaun White pass and was immediately tackled while standing at the White 25-yard line.
Anthony Amos and Turner Jr. paced the receiving corps with five catches apiece with Amos holding the slight edge on yardage, 81-to-69. Fourteen different players tallied at least one reception with nine hauling in more than one pass.
Drayton Calhoun topped the rushers with 39 yards on six touches, while Cunningham finished with 27 yards on eight carries.
The forced fumble came via Roderic Blunt on a Calhoun carry near the goal line. Blunt’s forced turnover was recovered in the end zone by Jajuan Harley for a touchback.
Blunt and Leighton Gasque set the tone on the defensive side of the ball with seven tackles apiece. Dearco Nolan contributed two sacks, while Gasque, Jerrold Frazier and Shubert Bastien each had one apiece.
The White defense had eight pass breakups, by eight different players, and Bastien and O’Shae Bridges were credited with quarterback hurries.
2012 Spring Practice Awards
Most Improved Quarterback: Shaun White
Most Improved Running Back: Drayton Calhoun
Most Improved Wide Receiver: Reggie Whatley
Most Improved Offensive Lineman: Micah James
Most Improved Defensive Lineman: Alexandro Antoine
Most Improved Linebacker: Roderic Blunt
Most Improved Safety: Kevin Byard
Most Improved Corner: Kenneth Gilstrap
Most Improved Strength Training Quarterback: Jeff Murphy
Most Improved Strength Training Running Back: Benny Cunningham
Most Improved Strength Training Wide Receiver: Kyle Griswould
Most Improved Strength Training Offensive Lineman: Josh Walker
Most Improved Strength Training Defensive Lineman: Omar McLendon
Most Improved Strength Training Linebacker: Christian Henry
Most Improved Strength Training Safety: JaJuan Harley
Most Improved Strength Training Corner: Chris Sharpe
Most Improved Strength Training Specialist: Josh Davis
Jeanne Massaquoi Freshman Academic Award: Shaun White
Donald Craig Sophomore Academic Award: Reggie Whatley
Dr. James E. Walker Junior Academic Award: Kenneth Gilstrap
Dr. Sidney McPhee Senior Academic Award: Jeff Murphy
TERRY WHITESIDE AWARD: Logan Kilgore
(Excellence in academics, football, strength training, community service, and campus activities)
QUOTES
HEAD COACH RICK STOCKSTILL:
Who won was not the objective. I wanted to see us come out and play hard and improve in some areas we need to improve on.
The fumble that Drayton (Calhoun) had down there at the goal line was disappointing. Logan’s interception was a miscommunication. He read the defense one way and his receiver read the coverage a different way and ran his route differently. Those things are going to happen during the course of the game but the disappointing thing was the fumble.
LOGAN KILGORE:
We executed some things and some things we didn’t. Today was really just the culmination of spring practice. For a spring game, it went pretty well. Obviously, you want everybody to stay healthy and put on a show for the fans.
KHARI BURKE:
The whole defense went out there with enthusiasm today. The offense came out with a bang, but we recovered. Leadership from Dearco (Nolan), Omar (McClendon) and the veterans on the team boosted us up and we came out and competed after that.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Gates open at 10 AM Saturday
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee will conclude spring drills on April 14 with the annual Blue-White Spring Game presented by Kroger and Sprint/Cellular Concepts. Kickoff is set for 1 PM in Floyd Stadium and admission is free.
The game will be broadcast over the internet at GoBlueRaiders.com with Chip Walters and Kelly Holcomb calling the action.
A determination on whether the scrimmage will be offense vs. defense or divided teams will be announced later next week. Clock rules will be determined just prior to kickoff.
At halftime, Coach Rick Stockstill will present the Spring Awards while recognizing the returning lettermen.
Along with the game, there will be numerous activities available for the Blue Raider faithful. Tailgating will be encouraged at both Walnut Grove and the Greenland Drive parking lot the entire day, while an autograph session with Blue Raider players is scheduled prior to the game from 10:30 AM until 11:00 AM. Photo opportunities will also be available and roster cards will be handed out for free.
In conjunction with the spring game, the athletic department will also hold their annual Yard Sale in Floyd Stadium. Fans will be able to purchase Nike jerseys, past bowl items, a limited number of helmets, along with a few other items. The Yard Sale will be located outside of Lightning's Locker Room near Gate 2A and will get underway at 10 AM. The Blue Raider ticket office will also be on-hand at Gate 2A to sell season tickets which are only $100.
Lightning’s Locker Room will also have a number of spring specials, including a buy one item at regular price and get the next equal or lower priced item for 50 percent off. They will also have various tees on sale where fans can buy two for $10.
On Friday prior to the game, Stockstill will host his seventh annual Lettermen's Golf Tournament. The event will take place at Indian Hills Golf Club in Murfreesboro. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30 AM with a shotgun start scheduled for 1 PM. The cost is $45 per person and participants are encouraged to make the checks payable to the Alumni Golf Tournament.
Following is a list of the day's activities on campus:
April 12-15: Spring into Middle Alumni Weekend (check mtalumni.com for all activities)
10:00 AM: Lightning's Locker Room Opens
10:00 AM: Volleyball vs ETSU (Alumni Gym)
11:00 AM: Lettermen's Cookout outside Hall of Fame
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Yard Sale outside Lightning's Locker Room
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Autograph Session (north concourse of Floyd Stadium by Gate 2A)
11:30 AM: Volleyball vs APSU (Alumni Gym)
Noon: Kappa Delta Wing Fling (Murphy Center Lawn)
1:00 PM: Blue-White Spring Game
1:00 PM: Women’s softball vs ULL
2:30 PM: Volleyball vs TSU (Alumni Gym)
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Four interceptions and eight sacks highlight defensive performance
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The defensive unit put forth a solid effort Saturday morning in the second Middle Tennessee football scrimmage of the spring at Floyd Stadium. The Blue Raider offense was held to 254 yards passing and 117 yards on the ground during the 102-play scrimmage.
A total of eight sacks were registered on the day with redshirt sophomore Leighton Gasque leading the charge with three. Redshirt junior Craig Allen and redshirt senior Kendall Dangerfield each had a pair, while redshirt freshman Ykeem Wells also was credited with a stop.
In addition, tackles for loss were collected by redshirt freshman Jerrold Frazier, redshirt sophomore Patrick McNeil and junior Corey Carmichael.
The defense also grabbed four interceptions, including a pair in the end zone. Redshirt junior Kenneth Gilstrap and redshirt freshman Kevin Byard hauled in picks to prevent touchdowns, while redshirt junior Sammy Seamster and redshirt junior Jajuan Harley also stepped in front of passes for the turnover. Seamster’s interception came on the first pass thrown by redshirt senior quarterback Jeff Murphy.
Murphy ended the day as the top signal-caller in terms of yardage with 115 on 10-of-17 attempts. He completed a long of 20 yards to redshirt senior Harold Turner Jr.
Redshirt junior Logan Kilgore converted 12 of his 23 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown, hitting senior Tavarres Jefferson from nine yards out. Turner also caught Kilgore’s longest toss of the scrimmage, a 20-yard strike.
Redshirt freshman Shaun White was the only other quarterback to see action and he recorded a 7-of-13 performance for 54 yards and a touchdown. His scoring strike was a 28-yarder to redshirt senior Anthony Amos.
Overall, the three quarterbacks completed 29-of-53 for 254 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Turner’s two long hauls enabled him to register a team-high 67 yards on just four catches. Redshirt freshman Christian Collis added a team-best five grabs for 25 yards, while Amos finished with 49 yards on three receptions.
Four rushing touchdowns were also scored, by four different players. Senior Benny Cunningham paced the backfield with 47 yards on nine touches, including a two-yard score. Redshirt junior Drayton Calhoun tallied 24 yards on 10 carries, while redshirt junior William Pratcher also scored from two yards away as part of his 20 yards on team-high 12 rushes.
Murphy and redshirt sophomore Reggie Whatley each found pay dirt on one-yard touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Bryson collected 17 yards on only three carries.
Senior placekicker Carlos Lopez converted two of his three field goal attempts, making kicks from 31 and 38 yards. His lone miss, a 55-yarder, was partially blocked by sophomore Shubert Bastien.
Middle Tennessee will return to the field at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in the next-to-last practice before Saturday’s Spring Game, which will be held at 1 p.m. at Floyd Stadium. More details on the Blue-White Spring Game will be released this week.
Quotes:
Head coach Rick Stockstill:
There were some good things and some bad things. We had a lot of procedure penalties on offense that stalled some drives and that was disappointing. We’ve got to get those corrected. We jumped offside too much and turned the ball over four times on interceptions. We have to do a better job protecting the ball.
Benny ran good, Logan made some good throws, showed good poise in there. Same with Murphy. He missed a couple of throws, but he did a nice job of throwing the ball. Shaun continues to improve.
Benny, I thought was impressive. He ran hard, he was physical. I thought the other backs danced a little too much, were too tentative. For the most part, I thought our line did a solid job.
Defensively, I was impressed with the entire defense. The front played really well: Omar McLendon, Jimmy Staten, Pat McNeil. Craig Allen played well at linebacker. Kevin Byard, Kenneth Gilstrap, all of our secondary played really well. Sammy made a great interception, Byard continues to improve, Jajuan Harley played better today.
Overall, I was pleased. I thought they played hard, they competed hard.
Our field goal kicker made two and missed one, so he did better this week, a little more consistent than last week, but we have to continue to get better there.
We had some drops by our receivers that tried to run before they caught it, just fundamental things that we have to continue to coach and get better at.
Cornerback Kenneth Gilstrap:
My interception was something that I had been working on all week. I got beat on the same play yesterday and the coach told me the proper adjustment. It’s learning, going to work every day and me maturing as a player, from studying to the game room to the field.
We have some new guys back there this spring. Jajuan Harley transferred and sat out last year. We have a young guy named Kevin Byard that I feel could be the best safety ever to come through here. This is a talented group of DBs. We come to work every day and I feel like we have the potential to be as good as any group we’ve had here.
I have studied MT football, and our goal is to be the best, going all the way back to the Mod Squad, Ray Bonner and that bunch back in the ’70s. They are regarded as the best to play here and our goal is to be as good as they were.
We play a team defense, a pressure defense and when the guys up front get pressure, we can make interceptions. It’s a team concept and we are only as good as our teammates. You can’t be a player by yourself.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Season opener at Floyd Stadium on Aug. 30
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee will open the 2012 football season on Thursday, August 30 against McNeese State as announced by Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. The game is set for 6:30 PM at Floyd Stadium.
The Blue Raiders will be opening a season at home for the fourth time under Rick Stockstill with all four being on Thursday night. Middle Tennessee and McNeese State will be meeting for the first time in football.
For season ticket information, please contact the Middle Tennessee Ticket Office at 1-888-YES-MTSU or log onto GoBlueRaiders.com.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
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Staff pleased with direction
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee put a wrap on the first week of spring football practice with a live tackling session on Saturday morning. The team went through 23 periods of work inside Floyd Stadium for its coolest practice all week at 60 degrees.
“We competed at a high level today and showed a lot of enthusiasm and energy,” said Head Coach Rick Stockstill. “It was the first time this spring we had live tackling and I thought we tackled well. As a team, we still have to execute better but that has a lot to do with us still implementing our schemes. That should improve next week.”
Stockstill feels his practices are much more productive and he is able to get more work in due to the energy level and activeness of the coaching staff.
“All week we have been getting in more work because of our pace and tempo,” added Stockstill. “We are getting in about 200 snaps a practice and that’s a lot of work.
Stockstill and his staff have been pleased with the first five days of spring drills as younger guys are competing better and veterans are stepping in to take leadership roles.
“I like the direction our team is headed,” Stockstill said. “Our focus is to be more physical and the team is buying into our message that began in January. You have to compete to win every play and every drill and that is what we are instilling in our players.”
The Blue Raiders will take the rest of the weekend off before returning to the field on Tuesday. The team will also work on Friday and Saturday next week.
Spring drills will conclude on April 14 with the annual Blue-White Scrimmage at 1 PM inside Floyd Stadium.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Conclude week with practices on Friday and Saturday
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With three of 15 spring practices in the books, Head Coach Rick Stockstill has not only been pleased with the weather but likes the direction the Blue Raiders are headed.
“I am really pleased with our first three practices,” added Stockstill, who is in his seventh spring at the helm. “The players have practiced with great effort and a tremendous attitude but I also like how hard our staff is coaching. They have been very enthusiastic and teaching at a high level.”
The Blue Raiders went in shorts on Saturday and Sunday before donning full pads on Tuesday.
“We had some good competitive drills yesterday and I thought we stayed on our feet better than we have in the past,” said Stockstill. “We had some tough, physical play. It was just a good all-around day even though it was a non-tackle practice.”
The Blue Raiders, who have also been enjoying 80 degree weather, are coming off an excellent offseason in the weight room and appear to be taking that to the field. With an emphasis on improving toughness and cutting down on turnovers, the first three days have seen the team focus on fundamentals while implementing their schemes.
“We are still implementing our offensive and defensive schemes so there has been some hesitation but that is to be expected. I expect it to continue over the next three to four practices then our execution will improve because we will not be thinking as much. Overall, I like how we have practiced. We have had a sense of urgency and approached the spring with a good mind-set.”
Offensively, Stockstill likes the leadership and attitude provided by Alex Stuart, Josh Walker, Benny Cunningham, Logan Kilgore, and Jeff Murphy. All have experience and are doing a nice job with the younger players, according to Stockstill.
Defensively, Jimmy Staten, Omar McLendon, Craig Allen, and Kendall Dangerfield have had three really strong practices.
The Blue Raiders will return to the field on Friday before concluding the week with another workout on Saturday. Spring drills will conclude with the annual Blue-White Scrimmage on April 14 at 1 PM.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Team will return to the field Friday
Middle Tennessee put on the pads for the first time this spring for the program's third of 15 practices on Tuesday. A physical practice in summer like conditions made up the Raiders' first mid-week practice session of the spring.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Cousin of Chicago Bear Earl Bennett
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill announced today the signing of Jacob Bennett to a scholarship agreement. Bennett, the cousin of Chicago Bear Earl Bennett, is a wide receiver from Blinn College.
Bennett, out of Birmingham, Ala., helped Blinn to a 9-2 record in 2011 and a No. 10 final national ranking. The 6-1, 180-pound receiver collected 28 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing nine times for 98 yards. He also returned kicks.
Bennett attended three different high schools with two in Birmingham and his last at Klein Collins in Houston. He garnered all-district honors at Klein after reeling in 57 passes for 700 yards and five touchdowns.
Bennett is the 23rd signee in the 2012 class for the Blue Raiders.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
