MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The 100 Miles of Hope blood drive is just around the corner and fans are gearing up for another year of friendly competition, with one goal in mind: saving lives. What has become an annual tradition surrounding the football rivalry between Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) is shifting into high gear, as both schools aim to collect more blood donations than ever before. The lifesaving competition leads up to the Nov. 7 football showdown in Murfreesboro, where the rivalry will move from the blood donation chairs to the football field.

Ahead of their match-up on the gridiron, the two universities are competing in the annual "Bleed Blue to Beat WKU" blood drive competition. Scheduled for November 2 - 4 at the MTSU Campus Recreation Center, the event aims to rally students, faculty, staff, and local residents to donate blood and support regional blood supply needs.

In 2025, MTSU retained bragging rights and possession of the challenge trophy during the annual “Bleed Blue to Beat WKU” blood drive. Blue Raider supporters rolled up their sleeves and donated an impressive 301 units of blood, outpacing rival Western Kentucky University’s Hilltoppers by 90 units. MTSU also claimed victory in 2024, continuing its winning tradition.

In fact, Middle Tennessee supporters have helped bring home the “W” in 11 of the competition’s 14 active years, with the rivalry paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That gives MTSU an impressive 78.6% winning percentage over WKU, proving that Blue Raider fans know how to roll up their sleeves and deliver a victory both on and off the football field.

Held annually ahead of the football season rivalry between the Blue Raiders and WKU, the blood drive is a friendly competition to see which campus community can rally the most lifesaving donations. Because this is a competition between the two universities, one in Bowling Green, Kentucky and the other right here in Murfreesboro, the two have had the ability to collect hundreds of units of blood, potentially saving over 1,500 lives annually.

For Dr. Gloria Bonner, emeritus dean of education at MTSU and Bleed Blue committee member... The drive represents far more than a simple campus contest. The two-time cancer survivor told WGNS...

This years game is shaping up to be an exciting match, as the game is the centerpiece of homecoming... MTSU students, faculty, staff and members of the communnity can give the Gift of Life by donating blood through the Red Cross November 2 through the 4th by visiting the MTSU Rec Center on the university campus.

Dr. Bonner highlighted the meaningful spirit behind the drive, framing the rivalry as a shared mission between both university communities. "Yes, it's a rival competition, but when you think about it, it really is a win-win," Dr. Bonner emphasized. "So I love now that we consider it 100 miles of hope because of the impact that the blood drive has on the lives of the members of both communities."

With the drive scheduled right before the busy holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, local contributions are especially crucial... She also expressed deep gratitude for the broad campus and administrative support that keeps the program running successfully each year.

Parking on the MTSU campus will be free as donors visit the Rec Center to donate blood Monday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The Red Cross will be set-up between 11 AM and 5 PM daily. Click Here to Learn More. 

The winning school of the blood drive competition will be announced during the football game on November 7, 2026.

Participants who donate blood, using sponsor code “MTSU,” will receive a commemorative T-shirt, a pizza meal and 4-tickets to the upcoming MTSU Vs. New Mexico State football game, scheduled for November 28, 2026.

• For our latest interview about the blood drive, Click Here.