The disputed outcome of 1931 Miami football Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State defeated the Miami football team 7-0 the last time the teams played in 1932. The 1931 game score is in dispute. According to the Associated Press, the final score of the game has differently reported outcomes from Miami, Middle Tennessee State and via newspaper accounts.
Miami says Middle Tennessee State won the 1931 game 25-6. Middle Tennessee State (teachers college as it was known in 1931) reports the score as 20-0 and newspaper accounts report the score as 24-6 in the game played in Murfreesboro. The 90 years between meetings is likely one of the longest for Miami.
The 1931 season was the first of four under head coach Tom McCann. McCann replaced Ernest Brett who led Miami to a 3-4-1 season in 1930. Miami entered the game at Middle Tennesee 1-5. A 7-0 win over Rollins was the only victory Miami had before traveling to Murfreesboro. Miami began the 1931 season 1-7.
The Hurricanes won three straight prior to losing the last game of the 1931 season 19-9 to Norman Park. Miami had an interesting schedule in 1931. Miami’s 1931 opponents included the Alabama B team, Erskine, Parris Island and previously mentioned Norman Park. Only three 1931 Miami opponents are 2022 FBS programs.
The Miami football team also played Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky and Middle State were the only three out of 12 1931 Hurricanes opponents who are now FBS. The Alabama Junior Varsity doesn’t count. Middle Tennessee State Teachers College finished the 1931 football season with a 6-4 record.
The other Blue Raiders’ wins in 1931 were over Lincoln Memorial, Tennessee-Martin (then Tennessee Junior), Bethel, Tennessee Wesleyan and West Tennessee Teachers College (now Memphis). Games were much more regionalized in that era with travel far more difficult.
Next. MTSU HC Rick Stockstill was FSU QB versus Miami in 1980-81. dark
Middle Tennessee State is the first Conference USA team Miami will play since defeating Alabama-Birmingham 31-14 in the 2020 season opener. The Blazers were the only 2020 Miami non-conference opponent. Middle Tennessee State will return to Miami for its season finale on November 26 versus FIU.