The Middle Tennessee defense propelled the Blue Raiders to their fourth win of the season in a 17-7 battle for the Palladium at Troy University on Saturday night.

Many thought the announcement of the firing of head coach Andy McCollum would be a distraction, but the Blue Raiders came out playing physical, hard-nosed football and dominated a very good Troy team. Coach McCollum brought one of his best game plans of the year and it payed off. One might think he would not care about this university anymore, but after watching Coach McCollum scream at midfield following the victory for the Palladium to be delivered to his team; it became apparent he has not relented.

"We tried to keep it the same," running back Ronald Steed said of the work week after hearing of the firing of their head coach. "Just work hard, focus, and get ready to play. Just come out and play ball."

MT sealed the game on a goal line stand late in the fourth quarter, which prevented Troy from creating a one-possession game. Troy announcers questioned whether quarterback Carl Meadows had crossed the goal line, but official said otherwise, which sealed the Palladium Trophy for the Blue Raiders.

As the defense has all year, they dominated the Trojans by holding them to two-of-11 attempts and 0-3 on fourth down tries, including the late a crucial 4th quarter stop.

MT got on the board early after Meadows' first pass attempt was intercepted by defensive back Roy Polite, who lived up to his promise he made earlier in the week that he would have an interception in the contest. Four plays later, running back Eugene Gross put the Blue Raiders on the board from a yard out, giving the Blue Raiders a 7-0 advantage.

The Blue Raider offensive unit, who is not known for controlling the clock and moving the football, did just that Saturday night. MT converted seven of 17 third down conversions and ran 72 total offensive plays for 271 total yards. MT also held the ball for over 34 minutes, which helped keep the Blue Raider defense rested on the sideline.

After coming up short on a third and goal attempt, MT lined up to attempt a short field goal, but extended their lead on a beautifully drawn up fourth-and-goal direct snap trick play to Gross for his second score and a 14-0 lead.

Gross injured his left ankle in the second quarter, which gave the backfield to Ronald Steed. Steed, normally a third string back, was moved to the backup spot because Ralph King did not make the trip for unknown reasons.

Steed filled in nicely for the Blue Raiders, gaining 72 yards on 20 carries for an average of 3.6 a carry.

The Blue Raiders came out in normal sluggish form to begin the second half and punted on every drive except their final possession where they kneeled on the ball. Troy came out on their first offensive drive of the half and drove down the field and got their first score of the game and the would-be final score of 17-7.

INTERESTING GAMES NOTES:

-Ralph King did not make the trip for unknown reasons. Players have confirmed that the staff was unable to get in contact with him before departing for the game.

-Clint Marks only threw for 146 yards but played smart and made no mistakes to guide the team to victory by not giving up any big plays.

-Colby Smith has not lived up to the Lou Groza watch list hype during preseason, but hit a career-best 45-yard field goal beyond to put the Blue Raiders up 17-0.

-MT was out gained by Troy in both yardage and first downs. Troy had 17 first downs for 304 yards of offense while MT had 16 first downs for 271 yards of offense. However, Troy turned the ball over twice which ultimately lead to their demise.

-MT continues to be heavily penalized ringing up 8 penalties for 85 yards.

-Despite the efforts of both universities, or lack of, to spark a rivalry between Troy and Middle Tennessee, the Band of Blue and cheerleaders were not at tonight's contest along with an absent Student Government Road Rally, which chose to travel to Raleigh a week earlier.

-The Palladium is now in Murfreesboro for the first time ever and will remain in Murfreesboro until next years contest between Troy and Middle Tennessee.