Tag: Middle Tennessee

Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on against the Elon Phoenix during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Duke crushes Middle Tennessee to go unbeaten in non-conference play

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Maalik Murphy threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns on a rainy Saturday evening in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as the Duke Blue Devils notched a 45-17 victory over Middle Tennessee State.

Murphy completed 14-of-21 passes as the Blue Devils (4-0) finished non-conference play with an unblemished record. Star Thomas paced Duke’s rushing attack with 111 yards and two touchdowns. Nicky Dalmolin proved to be Murphy’s favorite target on the day, hauling in four catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Jaiden Credle led the Blue Raiders’ offense with 125 rushing yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Nicholas Vattiato completed 21-of-33 passes for 127 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

MTSU (1-3) scored first when Credle took a handoff on a third-and-1 play and busted through Duke’s defense for a 66-yard touchdown.

The Blue Devils proceeded to outscore the Blue Raiders 35-3 for the rest of the first half, capitalizing on three turnovers. After Murphy found Dalmolin for a quick 71-yard catch-and-run touchdown, Duke got the ball back when defensive tackle Kendy Charles recovered a fumble. Peyton Jones capped a short four-play drive for Duke with a 1-yard touchdown run.

With 3:47 left in the first quarter, Duke linebacker Alex Howard recovered a fumble that the offense then flipped into a 1-yard touchdown dive from Thomas. Middle Tennessee fumbled again on its next possession, and Duke safety DaShawn Stone recovered the ball. On the ensuing drive, Murphy again found Dalmolin for a score.

In the fourth quarter, Duke turned another turnover into points. Stone intercepted one of Vattiato’s errant passes, and three plays later, Thomas scored again.

The Blue Devils picked up 16 first downs and piled up 340 yards of total offense.

The game was delayed due to inclement weather in the third quarter that lasted nearly two hours.

Next Saturday, Duke opens Atlantic Coast Conference play by hosting rival North Carolina.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Henry Parrish Jr. (21) runs the ball for a for a touchdown as Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders defensive back Abdul Muhammad (21) attempts to make the tackle during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

No. 6 Ole Miss roars past Middle Tennessee

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Henry Parrish Jr. romped for four rushing touchdowns, Jaxson Dart set a school record for completions, and the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels roared past the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 52-3 Saturday afternoon in Oxford, Miss.

In his second stint at Ole Miss (2-0), Parrish toted the ball 14 times for 165 yards but left briefly after getting shaken up early in the second half following a 42-yard dash.

Dart completed his first 24 passes — 30 straight going back to last Saturday’s 76-0 rout of Furman — and fell two short of tying the NCAA’s FBS game-record of 26.

The senior went 25 of 27 for 377 yards and a score. Tre Harris recorded nine receptions for 130 yards as the squad had 655 yards of offense.

The Rebels used a pair of first-quarter scores from Parrish and a dominant defense to create a 17-0 lead and put to rest any notion that it would not start the season 2-0 for the fourth straight season.

John Saunders Jr. notched an interception, while TJ Dottery recovered a fumble for Ole Miss.

In first-year coach Derek Mason’s return against an SEC opponent after a coaching sabbatical, the Blue Raiders (1-1), a 42 1/2-point underdog, saw quarterback Nicholas Vattiato go 21 of 33 for 209 yards and an interception.

Holden Willis had six catches for 93 yards, but the Conference USA school managed just 279 yards.

After Caden Davis’ 33-yard field goal to open the game, Parrish ripped off a pair of 11-yard scores for a 17-0 advantage.

Dart widened the margin by dropping back to pass, pulling it down and winding his way three yards early in the second quarter for his second rushing TD.

Capping an 11-play, 99-yard drive, Parrish tacked on his third score on a three-yard run with three minutes left to push it to 31-0, but Zeke Rankin’s 32-yard kick with 15 seconds left in the first half registered the first points against the Rebels this season.

After Parrish left, Matt Jones stepped in and produced a nine-yard run, but Parrish returned for his fourth score on a short run with 3:10 left in the third.

Dart’s 18-yard strike to Antwane Wells Jr. rounded out the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Middle Tennessee head football coach Rick Stockstill on the sidelines during the football game against Louisiana Tech in Floyd Stadium at Middle Tennessee, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.

Middle Tennessee fires Rick Stockstill after 18 seasons

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Middle Tennessee fired football coach Rick Stockstill after 18 seasons on Monday.

The Blue Raiders finished 4-8 this season and were 113-111 in his tenure with 10 bowl appearances (4-6 record).

“This is one of the most difficult days in my tenure, but one I feel is necessary in our aspiration to compete and win championships,” athletic director Chris Massaro said in a news release. “I appreciate everything Rick, his wife Sara, and their family have done the last 18 years for MTSU Athletics, our football program, and, more importantly, our student-athletes. Because of his leadership, our student-athletes have performed at a high level in the classroom, have dedicated time and energy to supporting our community and have given us countless hours of dedication to being successful on the football field. I want to thank Coach Stockstill for his professionalism, character and dedication, and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

The school said a national search for Stockstill’s replacement will begin immediately.

Stockstill, 65, was hired in December 2005 after working as an assistant coach at South Carolina, East Carolina, Clemson, UCF and Bethune-Cookman.

He was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2009 and earned the same honor in Conference USA in 2018.

Stockstill’s best season came in 2009 when he guided Middle Tennessee to a 10-3 record and a New Orleans Bowl win. The Blue Raiders were 8-5 with a Hawaii Bowl victory in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) throws a pass against the South Dakota Coyotes during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Its QB battle over, Missouri faces Middle Tennessee next

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Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz allowed his quarterback competition to extend into the season, but it appears settled now.

Incumbent Brady Cook excelled as Missouri handled visiting South Dakota 35-10 in its opener.

Cook figures to take the leading role Saturday when the Tigers (1-0) of the Southeastern Conference welcome Middle Tennessee (0-1) of Conference USA to Columbia, Mo.

Cook completed 17 of 21 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown while playing just the first half. He also had a 15-yard scoring run.

Sam Horn played the second half and completed 3 of 5 passes for 54 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

“Brady scored 28,” Drinkwitz told SEC Network. “And Sam scored seven. So, that’s my initial thoughts. We will go back and look at the tape and see what it was. But, at the end of the day, we are judged on who gets the team in the end zone the most.”

Cody Schrader rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown behind the zone blocking scheme implemented by new Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore.

The Tigers will seek improvement in their kicking game after Harrison Mevis missed field goal tries from 48 and 34 yards.

“That’s something that’s got to get corrected in a hurry,” Drinkwitz said.

Middle Tennessee is coming off a 56-7 loss to Alabama. The Blue Raiders hung tough well into the second quarter, but they buckled after Zeke Rankin missed a 32-yard field goal that would have cut their deficit to 14-3.

“I was proud of our team and how we fought, how we competed extremely hard,” Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill said. “When you play teams like this, you gotta play perfect, and we didn’t play perfect. But I like our team. I told them … we’re gonna have a heck of a team this year, heck of a year.”

Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato completed 21 of 32 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown against Alabama. He also had a 30-yard run.

But the Crimson Tide held the Blue Raiders to 78 rushing yards on 26 carries and outgained them 431-211 overall.

“We just got to make corrections where we made mistakes and get ready for another really good SEC team,” Stockstill said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws behind a block by offensive lineman JC Latham (65) against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

QB Jalen Milroe, No. 4 Alabama crush Middle Tennessee

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Jalen Milroe became the first Alabama player to throw three touchdown passes and rush for two scores in the same game and the No. 4 Crimson Tide rolled to a 56-7 victory over Middle Tennessee in the season opener for both teams on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama coach Nick Saban was silent all week about the identity of his starting quarterback and Milroe loudly stated his case by completing 13 of 18 passes for 194 yards and adding 48 on the ground. Milroe has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his two career starts.

Isaiah Bond, Jermaine Burton and Amari Niblack caught touchdown passes as the Crimson Tide won their 17th straight home opener under Saban. Jaylen Key recorded an interception for Alabama.

Nicholas Vattiato completed 21 of 32 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee fell to 1-22 against ranked foes since becoming an FBS program in 1999.

The Crimson Tide outgained the Blue Raiders 431 to 211.

Alabama’s first touchdown came on a broken play in the first quarter in which the shotgun snap was low and skidded past Milroe. He picked up the ball at the Middle Tennessee 32-yard line and broke a few tackles en route to a 21-yard scoring run.

Jase McClellan scored from the 1 with 4:15 left in the quarter to give the Crimson Tide a 14-0 lead.

Milroe scored on a 13-yard keeper with 3:07 remaining in the first half. Just 69 seconds later, he tossed a 47-yard scoring pass to Bond to make it 28-0.

Milroe threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter, first connecting with Burton on a 47-yarder with 12:54 left in the period. He later hit Niblack on a 29-yard score with 10:25 left to make it 42-0 before exiting the contest.

Middle Tennessee got on the board with 32 seconds left in the third quarter when Vattiato threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Bryce Bailey.

Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner, who replaced Milroe, scored on a 9-yard run with 10:38 remaining in the game. Buchner completed 3 of 5 passes for 27 yards.

Ty Simpson, the third quarterback in the Alabama competition, scored on a 1-yard sneak with 5:58 left. He completed his lone pass for 5 yards.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Honolulu, HI, USA; San Diego State Aztecs defensive lineman Jonah Tavai (66) chases down Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders quarterback Chase Cunningham (16) for a sack during the first quarter at Ching Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Tennessee edges San Diego State on late FG in Hawaii Bowl

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Zeke Rankin’s fourth field goal of the game, a 37-yarder with 2:05 left, lifted Middle Tennessee to a 25-23 win over San Diego State on Saturday in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu.

Rankin’s kick capped a 55-yard drive that enabled the Blue Raiders (8-5) to win their fourth straight game after trailing by two touchdowns before the first quarter ended. Middle Tennessee’s defense clinched the win by forcing their fifth turnover of the game on a botched hook-and-lateral play at the Aztecs 43 with 55 seconds left.

Chase Cunningham completed 26 of 43 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns with an interception for the Blue Raiders. He survived a pass rush that sacked him seven times for 76 yards. Middle Tennessee won despite rushing for negative 66 yards and gaining only 170 total yards.

Jalen Mayden was 19 of 43 for 309 yards with two touchdowns and three picks for San Diego State (7-6). The Aztecs managed just three field goals after the first quarter but led 23-22 after Jack Browning connected from 52 yards out with 5:43 remaining in the game.

Jaylin Lane caught 10 passes for 111 yards and a score for the Blue Raiders.

San Diego State dominated the first quarter, using a passing game that improved dramatically over the season’s second half after Mayden was installed at quarterback.

He hit Mark Redman with a 9-yard touchdown pass at the 7:18 mark, then found Kenan Christon with a short pass that became a 73-yard scoring strike just over 2 1/2 minutes later and gave the Aztecs a 14-0 lead.

But Middle Tennessee then found traction on both sides of the ball, even though it couldn’t protect Cunningham from San Diego State’s rush line. It hit the board on a 44-yard field goal by Rankin just over three minutes into the second quarter.

Cunningham cut it to 14-10 on an 8-yard touchdown pass to defensive end Jordan Ferguson with 3:14 left in the first half and Rankin connected from 49 yards with 22 seconds remaining, slicing the Blue Raiders’ deficit to a point at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs wide receiver Brionne Penny (11) runs with the ball as Air Force Falcons linebacker Alec Mock (40) prepares to punch the ball during the second half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego St., Middle Tenn. to battle in Hawaii Bowl

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San Diego State and Middle Tennessee will meet in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24, the bowl game announced Monday.

The Aztecs (7-5) of the Mountain West are in a bowl game for the 12th time in 13 seasons, with the shortened 2020 COVID-19 season marking the lone miss.

“I’m excited that we get a chance to play one more time for our seniors,” San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke said in a news release. “I’m proud of the way our team has fought through adversity this year and to make another bowl game is a testament to their dedication and hard work. We’re looking forward to a playing a tough Middle Tennessee team and to spend a week in Hawaii.”

Middle Tennessee (7-5) of Conference USA has won its past three games. The Blue Raiders are in a bowl for the sixth time in the past eight seasons.

“I am extremely happy and proud for our team and especially our seniors that they can experience a bowl as prestigious at the Hawaii Bowl,” Blue Raiders coach Rick Stocksill said in a news release. “This will be an incredible experience for them, and they are very deserving considering all the adversity and accomplishments they have fought through and achieved this year. We are very excited for this opportunity and we can’t wait to get there and experience the Hawaiian culture.”

San Diego State and Middle Tennessee have never met.

This is the second bowl matchup to be officially announced. Miami (Ohio) and UAB will meet in the Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 16.

–Field Level Media

Ball State faces off against Toledo at Scheumann Stadium Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Ballstatevtoledofootball 5

Turnovers will be front of mind as Toledo battles Middle Tennessee in Bahamas Bowl

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Toledo guards the football better than any team in the country, while nobody unearths the pigskin better than Middle Tennessee.

Football protection will be a key component on Friday afternoon when the Rockets (7-5) battle Middle Tennessee (6-6) in the Bahamas Bowl at Nassau, Bahamas.

Toledo leads the nation by committing just six turnovers (two interceptions, four fumbles), while the Blue Raiders have forced a nation-best 31 (16 interceptions, 15 fumbles).

Even while being stingy with the football, the Rockets of the Mid-American Conference had to win three straight games and four of their past five to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2018. The destination was the Bahamas Bowl that time too, with the Rockets falling 35-32 to Florida International.

Toledo averaged 43.2 points over the five-game run with star running back Bryant Koback topping 100 rushing yards in each contest. Koback ranks 11th nationally with 1,274 yards and is exactly 100 yards away from becoming the fourth Toledo player to reach 4,000 career rushing yards.

“We would be crazy after going through the last year and a half and taking anything for granted,” Rockets coach Jason Candle said, referencing the COVID-19 situation. “We aren’t taking this opportunity lightly. We’re going to respect this opportunity with great detail and put our best foot forward and try to win a football game.”

Toledo’s top effort of the season may have come in a loss on Sept. 11. The Rockets were winning late at then-No. 7 Notre Dame before the Fighting Irish scored with 1:09 left to pull out a 32-29 victory.

That close call didn’t spur on the Rockets, who were sitting at a disappointing 4-5 prior to the three-game winning streak to conclude the regular season.

“Three conference losses by a total of eight points, I think when those things happen, you have a couple of choices,” Candle said. “You can fold and go one way or you rally together and go a totally different direction.”

The November push earned Toledo the date with Middle Tennessee, a Conference USA program that has been above .500 just once all season — when it won its opener against FCS program Monmouth.

The Blue Raiders went 4-2 over the second half of the season and qualified for bowl consideration with a 27-17 victory over Florida Atlantic on Nov. 27.

Middle Tennessee also had to throw freshman quarterback Nick Vattiato into the mix after previous starter Chase Cunningham suffered a season-ending leg injury against Southern Miss on Oct. 30.

“This team went through so much adversity throughout the course of the year,” Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill said. “We went through four quarterbacks. We never really found a rhythm offensively. Games 3 and 4 after the Virginia Tech game (a 35-14 loss), we had 13 players out those two weeks because of injuries and other health issues.

“It sounds like an excuse. It’s not, it’s a fact. We just played more consistently (in the second half). We had more continuity. I feel like we’re close to breaking loose offensively.”

Middle Tennessee has a standout punt returner in Jaylin Lane, who led the nation with a 16.9 average. He also returned one for a touchdown.

Standout safety Reed Blankenship led the Blue Raiders with 100 tackles and three fumble recoveries and cornerback Quincy Riley had a team-best five interceptions.

Now the defensive task is to try to force the Rockets to cough up the ball or throw an errant pass.

“They’re very efficient offensively,” Stockstill said of Toledo. “It’s a very balanced team.”

Middle Tennessee is playing in its first bowl game since losing 45-13 to Appalachian State in the 2018 New Orleans Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders wide receiver Izaiah Gathings (2) celebrates after scoring against the Connecticut Huskies in the first half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Tennessee won’t leave C-USA for MAC

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Middle Tennessee State has decided to remain in Conference USA after all.

The school was mulling a jump to the Mid-American Conference after C-USA lost eight members to realignment. But with four recent additions to C-USA beginning in 2023, the university located in Murfreesboro, Tenn., has decided to stay put.

“With the addition of four new members, C-USA offers a strong footprint in the South and Southwest, providing opportunities to develop new regional rivalries, while staying connected to traditional opponents that our fans want,” MTSU president Sidney McPhee said in the statement. “Working with our four remaining members, as well as our new partners, Conference USA is poised to rebrand itself as a premier conference in the Group of 5.”

Joining C-USA 2023 will be Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State and Sam Houston State.

The conference lost Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA to the American Athletic Conference, while Marshall and Southern Miss are joining the Sun Belt.

Conference USA’s Western Kentucky is still reportedly considering moving to the MAC.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Braxton Burmeister (3) runs the ball against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders defensive lineman Zaylin Wood (96) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Raheem Blackshear’s 2 late TDs lead No. 19 Virginia Tech

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Raheem Blackshear rushed for two second-half touchdowns Saturday as No. 19 Virginia Tech broke a close game open and cruised to a 35-14 non-conference decision over Middle Tennessee in Blacksburg, Va.

Blackshear capped drives with 6- and 1-yard runs that gave the Hokies (2-0) a four-touchdown advantage. It capped a stretch that saw Virginia Tech score on its first three possessions of the second half.

The Hokies’ defense also played another strong game. After notching six sacks and three interceptions in last week’s 17-10 win over then-No. 10 North Carolina, they limited the Blue Raiders (1-1) to just 66 yards on 36 rushes and registered three sacks.

Quarterback Braxton Burmeister completed 14 of 24 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown for Virginia Tech. The Hokies finished with 383 total yards, 224 of them on the ground. Blackshear’s 54 yards led a balanced rushing attack.

Middle Tennessee starting quarterback Bailey Hockman was good on 19 of 32 passes for 207 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Backup Chase Cunningham completed 7 of 8 for 76 yards and a score in the final minute.

The Hokies took a 7-0 lead when Burmeister hit Tayvion Robinson on a 6-yard scoring strike with 21 seconds left in the first quarter, finishing a 17-play, 79-yard drive that lasted 7:36.

Connor Blumrick’s 2-yard run with 8:54 remaining in the second quarter upped the margin to 14-0. The Blue Raiders sliced the deficit in half as Hockman found CJ Windham for a 5-yard touchdown at the 5:17 mark.

But Virginia Tech pulled away in the second half as its offense found a rhythm. Jalen Holston ripped off a 29-yard scoring jaunt with 7:55 left in the third quarter, followed by Blackshear’s consecutive touchdowns.

Cunningham’s 6-yard scoring strike to Marquel Tinsley with 30 seconds remaining in the game made the final margin a bit closer.

The Hokies converted 7 of 12 third downs and played a clean game, drawing just three penalties for 26 yards.

–Field Level Media