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Vanderbilt To Renew Series with MTSU 7/28/2004
Vanderbilt To Renew Series with MTSU 7-28-04 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee will renew their football rivalry in 2005 and 2006, officials from both universities announced Wednesday. According to documents finalized late Tuesday, the Commodores and Blue Raiders will play Oct. 1, 2005, then face each other in the 2006 season opener on Sept. 2. Both games will be played in Nashville at Vanderbilt Stadium. “We’re very excited to make this announcement and really look forward to reviving our rivalry with Middle Tennessee,” Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor of Student Life and University Affairs David Williams II said. The two teams have played on 14 occasions since 1950. Vanderbilt owns a 12-2 advantage in the series, though Middle Tennessee captured the last two meetings in 2001 and 2002. Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said the upcoming games will be beneficial to both teams. “I think it’s good for both teams, and especially fans of both Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee. It’s a non-conference game that should create a lot of excitement and interest among local college football fans,” Johnson said. Recent games between Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee have been box-office successes. In 2001, the Vanderbilt-Middle Tennessee game, a season opener for both teams, drew 39,885 fans to Vanderbilt Stadium. It was the largest non-conference crowd at Vanderbilt Stadium since the Commodores opened the 1996 season against Notre Dame in front of a capacity crowd. In 2002, the teams played before 28,660 during a midseason matchup. The Commodores open the 2004 season on Saturday, Sept. 4, playing host to SEC East rival South Carolina in Vanderbilt Stadium. The game is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Season ticket packages, starting at $99, are available for the Commodores’ six home games. More information is available at (615) 322-GOLD or via the Vanderbilt athletics on-line ticketing website, www.CommodoreGameday.com. |
