Murfreesboro, TN – We went, we saw and we recorded our 696th college football game as the Blue Raiders and Bulldogs both struggled to put forth much offense in the MTSU, 14-5, victory. Guest Game Analyst Al Tatum (Tennessee State) and I did note some wicked hitting on the field this evening. Loud pops of pads heard. Overall, though, these two teams have long roads ahead to even challenge for Conference USA honors. The Blue Raiders (2-5, 1-2) won only their second game of 2024. Its first against not only a conference foe, but first against any FBS team. Kennesaw State still seeks a win at 0-6,0-2. Maybe the game at UTEP on October 30 may be their last chance to savor victory this season.
Safety first
The scoring for this game got started appropriately. MTSU punted after the first possession, and KSU drove literally to the one-inch line. There, MTSU stopped them on downs and took over. To get breathing room, QB Nick Vattiato handed off to Jekail Middlebrooks up the middle. Ready, the Bulldogs penetrated and stuffed him two yards deep in the end zone for the first two points of the game. Later in the period, Middlebrooks extracted some revenge. With 4:22 left in the half, he topped off an 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run for a 7-2 MTSU lead.
The balance of the first half was a display of offensive futility by both teams. Neither team sustained a drive for more than eight plays. On that one, Middle Tennessee gained only 4t yards. Kennesaw’s best went for seven and that resulted in an intercepted pass in the end zone. A second pick was made by Middle Tennessee with 33 seconds remaining in the first half.
Second half much like first
Kennesaw started with another three-and-out. Middle Tennessee drove to the Kennesaw 17. The Owls stopped the Raiders on fourth though for a turnover on downs. Another three and out looked to give Middle Tennessee good field position once again. However, it got better than that for the Blue Raiders. Return man Omari Cooper picked up a one-hop bounce in his chest and raced forward through KSU defenders for a 61-yard scoring return. Amazingly, the Owls responded with a scoring drive of their own.
Qua Ashley returned the ensuing kick out to the 37. The Owls pieced together a drive to the MTSU 20. From there as the game went into the final period, Austin Welch booted a 37-yard FG to trail, 14-5. After that, both squads reverted back to their offensive ineptitudes. Aside from three-four play series leading to punts, Middle Tennessee misfired on a field goal. Kennesaw turned the ball over on downs. This game was over. Put it in our book as Game # 696. That is what mattered most in this Tuesday night contest.
Middle Tennessee and Kennesaw going nowhere
MTSU QB Nick Vattiato completed 19 of 34 passes for 199 yards. That averages 3.8 yards per attempt. The Blue Raiders ran for 85 yards on 36 carries. That averaged 2.4 yards per touch. KSU QB Khalib Johnson and Braden Bohannon combined for 10 completions on 27 attempts for 103 yards and two INTs. That’s 3.8 yards per pass. The average per rush totaled 3.9 yards per carry. These paltry stats came against less than formidable defenses. Lots of improvement needed for both programs.
Next up for the Blue Raiders and the Bulldogs
Next Saturday, the Blue Raiders visit Jacksonville State who we watched decimate the Bulldogs two weeks ago, 63-24. Kennesaw State heads to home to host undefeated CUSA Frontrunner, Liberty. We plan to see the Flames visit MTSU on November 9. Right now, I’d have to say, we have tickets for this game and for New Mexico State on November 23. We may be looking for some other entertaining, and more competitive games based on what we saw from the Blue Raiders last night.
As for collegefootballfan.com, this became our 695th game since 1979. We pack in more games to attend Game 700 for a tailgate celebration on October 26. Thursday, we’ll attend Boston College at Virginia Tech in an ACC clash. Friday, we’re on hand to see 2024 disappointment Florida State visit Duke in an ACC game.
On Saturday, we’re up in the air due to the hurricane destruction left in North Carolina. The Davidson Wildcats will host the Stetson Hatters in a Pioneer conference game. WE might head off to see a D-2 game instead in Jefferson City , Tennessee. There, Carson-Newman hosts UVA -Wise. Either will complete Game 699. The following Saturday, we’ll tailgate early with friends and Bloody Mary’s when possibly undefeated No. 25 Navy will play No. 12 Notre Dame. It should be a far better game than we initially anticipated!
Great Tailgate friends made at MTSU
A good friend from New Jersey, Ed Mainardi and his wife Margaret, who also moved to Tennessee caught up with some neighbors of his who read my book. Jane and Jim Rust invited us all to tailgate with them before tonight’s game in front of Jones Hall at MTSU. Jim worked for Middle Tennessee State for 50 years! Among other friends came Joey Peay and his wife, Charlotte. Joey, an MTSU grad, made a presentation during the game on behalf of Murfreesboro Medical Clinic. Also came friends Rusty and Joan, former High school coaches who Rusty told me they combined for six state championships in the Commonwealth of Virginia (Joan – 6 in track and field; Rusty 0 in football).
-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of Football Writers Association of America and author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to get your copy today and please submit a review. Thanks!
