Dwight Dasher News

Dwight Dasher threw two touchdowns and rushed for two more as Middle Tennessee stretched its winning streak to seven straight games by beating Southern Mississippi 42-32 in the New Orleans Bowl on Sunday night.

A herd of MTSU fans walked down Canal Street Saturday night, drawing jeers and insults from New Orleans natives hanging out the windows of moving cars.

Line: Southern Miss by 3 1/2. Series Record: first meeting. What's at Stake= Southern Miss is a respected mid-major. Middle Tennessee would like to be one, too.

NEW ORLEANS - The Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee State football teams both held their first practices in New Orleans on Thursday as they prepare for Sunday's New Orleans Bowl.

MURFREESBORO - Middle Tennessee State Coach Rick Stockstill and his staff have tried to explain what awaits their players in New Orleans today.

The 'want to be there' factor could come into play in several of this season's games.

Tuesday afternoon marked the completion of MTSU's home bowl preparations as the team went through a 75-minute workout at Floyd Stadium.

Middle Tennessee defensive end Chris McCoy has been recognized as an Honorable Mention All-American by SportsIllustrated.com. This comes on the heels of McCoy being selected as a co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference.

Southern Miss defensive coordinator Todd Bradford has become very familiar with Middle Tennessee State's first-year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.

Even with the addition of a highly regarded offensive coordinator, coach Rick Stockstill wouldn't make any predictions leading into his fourth season at Middle Tennessee.

I KNOW SOME Southern Miss fans were disappointed when the Golden Eagles were sent to the New Orleans Bowl for the fourth time in the past six seasons.

For the fourth time in the last six seasons, the Southern Miss football team is headed to the New Orleans Bowl to meet a Sun Belt Conference foe.

The Blue Raiders conclude their historic season Dec. 20 as the team travels to New Orleans, La.

MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill and defensive end Chris McCoy grabbed two of the top three honors as the All-Sun Belt Conference teams were announced today.

MTSU's football team was built to win games, not announce them. But on Sunday, the Blue Raiders spent most of the night testing a hastily-constructed communication tree of texts, calls and word of mouth to spread the news of their New Orleans Bowl bid.

The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl will welcome back a familiar foe and a new face in its 2009 contest.

N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson was 20-of-27 passing for 259 yards and four scores in a 28-27 upset of North Carolina .

'This is a must win.' A phrase that lurked around the ULM campus and Malone Stadium a few games already this season.

Middle Tennessee State football players and coaches don't want to ponder if they will go to a bowl - but rather when and where that bowl will be.

MONROE, La. - MTSU's defense had a checklist to follow Saturday. First, stop the run.