MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are headed to the postseason once again, and for the fourth time in their last six bowl trips it will have a tropical feel.
Middle Tennessee was officially extended an invitation on Sunday for Rick Stockstill‘s Blue Raiders to represent Conference USA in the EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl on Dec. 24, 2022. It will mark the 10th bowl game of the FBS (I-A) era for Middle Tennessee and the 14th bowl game in school history.
The game against San Diego State from the Mountain West Conference will kick off at 7 p.m. (CT) from the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The game will air nationally on ESPN.
“We are honored to be representing MTSU and Conference USA in the Hawai’i Bowl,” said Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill. “I am extremely happy and proud for our team and especially our seniors that they can experience a bowl as prestigious at the Hawai’i Bowl. This will be an incredible experience for them, and they are very deserving considering all the adversity and accomplishments they have fought through and achieved this year. We are very excited for this opportunity and we can’t wait to get there and experience the Hawaiian culture.”
The Blue Raiders are no stranger to the Hawai’i Bowl. Middle Tennessee appeared in the 2016 game where it fell to the host Rainbows.
This will be the 19th annual Hawai’i Bowl which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID. The Blue Raiders and Aztecs will be meeting for the first time in history.
“We are honored that ESPN and Conference USA have chosen us to represent C-USA in the EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl,” said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. “On behalf of our President, Dr. Sidney McPhee, and our student-athletes, we are excited to accept the official bowl invitation.”
The Blue Raiders (7-5) enter the postseason having won four of their last five games.
For all the latest information on the Blue Raiders’ bowl trip, please visit GoBlueRaiders.com. There will also be a 2022 Bowl Show on the Blue Raiders’ social channels and more information on the show will be announced at a later date.
Middle Tennessee Bowl History
1956 Refrigerator Bowl – Evansville, IN
Sam Houston State 27, MT 13
1960 Tangerine Bowl – Orlando, FL
MT 21, Presbyterian 12
1961 Tangerine Bowl – Orlando, FL
Lamar Tech 21, MT 14
1964 Grantland Rice Bowl – Murfreesboro, TN
MT 20, Muskingum 0
2006 Motor City Bowl – Detroit, MI
Central Michigan 31, MT 14
2009 New Orleans Bowl – New Orleans
MT 42, Southern Miss 32
2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl – Mobile, AL
Miami (OH) 35, MT 21
2013 Armed Forces Bowl – Fort Worth, TX
Navy 24, MT 6
2015 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl – Nassau, Bahamas
Western Michigan 45, MT 31
2016 Hawai’i Bowl – Honolulu, HI
Hawai’i 52, MT 35
2017 Camellia Bowl – Montgomery, AL
MT 35, Arkansas State 30
2018 New Orleans Bowl – New Orleans, LA
Appalachian State 45, MT 13
2021 Bahamas Bowl – Nassau, Bahamas
MT 31, Toledo 24
COURTESY MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
