2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team

2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
ConferenceConference USA
Record3–9 (2–6 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBodie Reeder (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBrian Stewart (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
2024 Conference USA football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Jacksonville State y$   7 1     9 5  
Western Kentucky y   6 2     8 6  
Sam Houston   6 2     10 3  
Liberty   5 3     8 4  
Louisiana Tech   4 4     5 8  
UTEP   3 5     3 9  
FIU   3 5     4 8  
New Mexico State   2 6     3 9  
Middle Tennessee   2 6     3 9  
Kennesaw State*   2 6     2 10  
Championship: Jacksonville State 52, Western Kentucky 12
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules

The 2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Derek Mason, the Blue Raiders compiled an overall record of 3–9 with a mark of 2–6 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for eighth at the bottom of the C-USA standings. The team played home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 316:00 p.m.Tennessee Tech*ESPN+W 32–2516,000
September 73:15 p.m.at No. 6 Ole Miss*SECNL 3–5266,427
September 146:00 p.m.Western Kentucky
ESPN+L 21–4912,227
September 213:00 p.m.Duke*
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPNUL 17–4515,209
September 286:30 p.m.at Memphis*ESPNUL 7–2425,266
October 107:00 p.m.at Louisiana TechCBSSNL 21–4815,072
October 157:00 p.m.Kennesaw State
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
CBSSNW 14–510,200
October 236:30 p.m.at Jacksonville StateESPN2L 20–4217,988
November 22:30 p.m.at UTEPCBSSNW 20–1314,775
November 912:00 p.m.Liberty
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
CBSSNL 17–3713,500
November 231:30 p.m.New Mexico State
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+L 21–3610,123
November 301:00 p.m.at FIUESPN+L 24–3514,686

[1]

Preseason

C-USA media poll

The Conference USA preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Blue Raiders were predicted to finish fourth in the conference.[2]

Game summaries

Tennessee Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Eagles 0 5 6 14 25
Blue Raiders 7 14 0 11 32
Statistics TNTC MTSU
First downs 21 20
Total yards 341 328
Rushing yards 67 118
Passing yards 274 210
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 27:09 32:51
Team Category Player Statistics
Tennessee Tech Passing Jordyn Potts 27/38, 256 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Jalen Mitchell 11 rushes, 52 yards
Receiving D. J. Linkins 7 receptions, 61 yards
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiao 20/35, 210 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Frank Peasant 10 rushes, 49 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Omari Kelly 4 receptions, 47 yards

At No. 6 Ole Miss

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 0 3 0 0 3
No. 6 Rebels 17 14 14 7 52
Statistics MTSU MISS
First downs 18 34
Total yards 278 655
Rushing yards 28 258
Passing yards 250 397
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 33:03 26:57
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/33, 209 yards, INT
Rushing Terry Wilkins 7 rushes, 19 yards
Receiving Holden Willis 6 receptions, 93 yards
Ole Miss Passing Jaxson Dart 25/27, 377 yards, TD
Rushing Henry Parrish Jr. 14 rushes, 165 yards, 4 TD
Receiving Tre Harris 9 receptions, 130 yards

Western Kentucky (100 Miles of Hate)

1 2 3 4 Total
Hilltoppers 14 7 21 7 49
Blue Raiders 0 0 14 7 21
Statistics WKU MTSU
First downs 30 21
Total yards 631 514
Rushing yards 150 58
Passing yards 481 456
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 31:22 28:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Kentucky Passing Caden Veltkamp 27/30, 398 yards, 5 TD
Rushing L. T. Sanders 8 rushes, 54 yards
Receiving Kisean Johnson 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 24/31, 456 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Nicholas Vattiato 9 rushes, 21 yards
Receiving Omari Kelly 9 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TD

Duke

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 28 7 3 7 45
Blue Raiders 10 0 7 0 17
Statistics DUKE MTSU
First downs 17 18
Total yards 340 295
Rushing yards 124 168
Passing yards 216 127
Turnovers 1 4
Time of possession 23:45 36:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Duke Passing Maalik Murphy 14/21, 216 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Star Thomas 17 carries, 111 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Nicky Dalmolin 4 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/33, 127 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Jaiden Credle 12 carries, 125 yards, TD
Receiving Holden Willis 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD

At Memphis

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 0 0 7 0 7
Tigers 0 14 10 0 24
Statistics MTSU MEM
First downs 13 22
Total yards 312 413
Rushing yards 29 186
Passing yards 283 227
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 25:51 34:09
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/31, 283 yards
Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 39 yards
Receiving Omari Kelly 6 receptions, 174 yards
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 26/41, 227 yards
Rushing Mario Anderson Jr. 18 carries, 118 yards, TD
Receiving Roc Taylor 6 receptions, 69 yards

At Louisiana Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 14 0 7 0 21
Bulldogs 20 14 14 0 48
Statistics MTSU LT
First downs 17 27
Total yards 336 551
Rushing yards 60 222
Passing yards 276 329
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 25:37 34:23
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 24/39, 276 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 5 carries, 30 yards
Receiving Omari Kelly 8 receptions, 103 yards
Louisiana Tech Passing Evan Bullock 18/25, 290 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Omiri Wiggins 8 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Tru Edwards 6 receptions, 127 yards, TD

Kennesaw State

1 2 3 4 Total
Owls 2 0 0 3 5
Blue Raiders 7 0 7 0 14
Statistics KENN MTSU
First downs 10 17
Total yards 234 284
Rushing yards 131 85
Passing yards 103 199
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 29:48 30:12
Team Category Player Statistics
Kennesaw State Passing Khalib Johnson 5/17, 52 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Qua Ashley 11 carries, 79 yards
Receiving Carson Kent 4 receptions, 59 yards
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 19/34, 199 yards
Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Holden Willis 8 receptions, 92 yards

At Jacksonville State

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 10 0 3 7 20
Gamecocks 14 0 21 7 42
Statistics MTSU JVST
First downs 17 30
Total yards 364 575
Rushing yards 67 438
Passing yards 297 137
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 29:56 30:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 25/36, 297 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Jaiden Credle 8 carries, 39 yards
Receiving Omari Kelly 8 receptions, 128 yards
Jacksonville State Passing Tyler Huff 10/18, 137 yards, TD
Rushing Tre Stewart 21 carries, 210 yards, TD
Receiving Cam Vaughn 4 receptions, 82 yards

At UTEP

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 3 7 3 7 20
Miners 3 7 3 0 13
Statistics MTSU UTEP
First downs 17 20
Total yards 333 305
Rushing yards 94 160
Passing yards 239 145
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 31:26 28:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/35, 239 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 40 yards
Receiving Myles Butler 5 receptions, 101 yards, TD
UTEP Passing JP Pickles 18/33, 145 yards, INT
Rushing Jevon Jackson 21 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Jevon Jackson 5 receptions, 33 yards

Liberty

1 2 3 4 Total
Flames 7 20 3 7 37
Blue Raiders 7 0 0 10 17
Statistics LIB MTSU
First downs 30 19
Total yards 500 351
Rushing yards 339 88
Passing yards 161 263
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 30:23 29:37
Team Category Player Statistics
Liberty Passing Kaidon Salter 11/15, 154 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Quinton Cooley 24 carries, 136 yards, TD
Receiving Elijah Canion 3 receptions, 54 yards
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 22/33, 263 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 27 yards
Receiving Holden Willis 5 receptions, 81 yards

New Mexico State

1 2 3 4 Total
Aggies 10 3 13 10 36
Blue Raiders 0 7 7 7 21
Statistics NMSU MTSU
First downs 18 25
Total yards 382 447
Rushing yards 145 170
Passing yards 237 277
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 27:16 32:44
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico State Passing Parker Awad 12/16, 221 yards
Rushing Seth McGowan 12 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Seth McGowan 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 30/45, 277 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 10 carries, 80 yards
Receiving Holden Willis 3 receptions, 67 yards, TD

At FIU

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 0 17 0 7 24
Panthers 14 14 0 7 35
Statistics MTSU FIU
First downs 17 22
Total yards 377 463
Rushing yards 121 144
Passing yards 256 319
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 26:20 33:40
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/33, 256 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 10 carries, 41 yards, TD
Receiving Holden Willis 6 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD
FIU Passing Keyone Jenkins 19/27, 319 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Devonte Lyons 15 carries, 101 yards, TD
Receiving Eric Rivers 7 receptions, 117 yards, TD

Personnel

Roster

2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football

Quarterbacks

  • 10 – Luther Richesson – Sophomore (6'3, 217)
  • 11 – Nicholas Vattiato – Junior (6'1, 205)
  • 16 – Roman Gagliano – Freshman (6'3, 224)
  • 18 – Stone Frost – Graduate Student (5'11, 215)

Running backs

  • 0 – Brian Brewton – Senior (5'7, 173)
  • 4 – Terry Wilkins – Senior (5'8, 186)
  • 22 – Jaiden Credle – Junior (6'1, 195)
  • 24 – Frank Peasant – Senior (5'11, 196)
  • 26 – Jayce Gardener – Senior (5'11, 214)
  • 31 – Austin Clemons – Freshman (6'0, 204)
  • 32 – Jekail Middlebrook - Freshman (5'9, 191)

Wide receivers

  • 1 – Omari Kelly – Junior (6'0, 180)
  • 5 – Myles Butler – Junior (6'2, 198)
  • 7 – Sam Driggers – Freshman (5'11, 201)
  • 9 – Hayes Sutton – Graduate Student (6'1, 199)
  • 13 – Javonte Sherman – Junior (6'2, 216)
  • 15 – Josh Evans – Freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 17 – Gamarion Carter – Junior (6'2, 189)
  • 18 – Ethan Crite – Freshman (6'2, 188)
  • 19 – Kellen Stewart – Junior (5'9, 164)
  • 27 – Caleb Dochnahl – Junior (6'1, 201)
  • 28 – Christopher Kaup – Freshman (6'2, 184)
  • 81 – Mitchell Howell – Senior (5'10, 204)
  • 84 – Tyson Resper – Sophomore (5'8, 167)
  • 86 – Cam'ron Lacy – Freshman (5'8, 153)
  • 87 – Elijah Ealey – Junior (5'11, 166)

Tight ends

  • 41 – Slade Alexander – Junior (6'2, 222)
  • 42 – Evan Poticher – Freshman (6'3, 237)
  • 45 – Bobby Council – Freshman (5'11, 234)
  • 46 – Sawyer Lovvorn – Freshman (6'1, 217)
  • 80 – Ryan Hoerstkamp – Graduate Student (6'2, 240)
  • 82 – Taharin Sudderth – Junior (6'2, 239)
  • 83 – Holden Willis – Senior (6'4, 212)
  • 85 – Brody Benke – Freshman (6'4, 249)
  • 88 – Jacob Coleman – Junior (6'3, 230)
 

Offensive Lineman

  • 48 – Nash Stidham – Sophomore (5'10, 210)
  • 55 – Mateo Guevara – Sophomore (6'4, 309)
  • 60 – Ayden Merrihew – Junior (6'4, 280)
  • 61 – Lantz Peoples – Freshman (6'5, 372)
  • 62 – Simon Wilson – Junior (6'1, 317)
  • 63 – Alex Gale – Freshman (6'3, 300)
  • 65 – Julius Pierce – Graduate Student (6'4, 293)
  • 68 – Jason Overton – Freshman (6'2, 285)
  • 70 – Isaac Rue – Freshman (6'6, 307)
  • 71 – Ellis Adams – Graduate Student (6'4, 372)
  • 72 – Morgan Scott – Junior (6'5, 298)
  • 73 – Marcus Miller – Junior (6'4, 299)
  • 74 – Ethan Ellis – Graduate Student (6'6, 309)
  • 75 – Dumela Knox – Junior (6'7, 310)
  • 76 – Shamar Crawford – Sophomore (6'5, 287)
  • 77 – Jaylen Robinson – Sophomore (6'7, 270)
  • 78 – Daniel Gonzalez – Senior (6'5, 289)
  • 79 – Zach Clayton – Freshman (6'5, 296)

Defensive Line

  • 34 – Kedrick Burley – Freshman (6'2, 241) (DE/OLB)
  • 35 – Zeion Simpson-Smith – Freshman (6'1, 235)
  • 40 – Anthony Bynum – Freshman (6'3, 257)
  • 44 – Andy Nwaoko – Senior (6'3, 251)
  • 45 – Ja'Darious Morris – Freshman (6'1, 255)
  • 46 – Reggie Johnson – Junior (6'4, 220)
  • 47 – Tiyyan Robinson – Freshman (6'5, 232)
  • 49 – James Stewart – Junior (6'3, 247)
  • 89 – Brandon Buckner – Junior (6'0, 248)
  • 90 – Chayce Smith – Freshman (6'2, 250)
  • 91 – Felix Hixon – Sophomore (6'3, 302)
  • 92 – Damonte Smith – Junior (6'3, 298)
  • 93 – Aidan Butts – Freshman (6'3, 252)
  • 96 – James Gillespie – Junior (6'3, 295)
  • 98 – Shakai Woods – Freshman (6'1, 292)
  • 99 – Alex Williams – Graduate Student (6'7, 291)
 

Linebackers

  • 8 – Devyn Curtis – Senior (6'2, 235)
  • 9 – Parker Hughes – Junior (6'2, 212)
  • 10 – Drew Francis – Senior (6'3, 228)
  • 12 – Jalen Davis – Graduate Student (5'11, 200)
  • 30 – Caleb Reid – Freshman (6'3, 236)
  • 33 – Malik Love – Freshman (6'4, 207)
  • 36 – Jordan Thompson – Freshman (5'11, 214)
  • 43 – Markel James – Freshman (6'2, 227)
  • 50 – Elijah Carney – Freshman (6'0, 222)
  • 51 – Amarrien Bailey – Freshman (6'0, 212)
  • 52 – Muaaz Byard – Sophomore (6'1, 223)
  • 54 – Nolan Forsha – Junior (6'2, 211)
  • 56 – Jayson Lowe – Sophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 57 – Brady Russell – Freshman (6'0, 220)
  • 58 – Korey Smith – Freshman (6'0, 220)
  • 59 – Jacob Jackson – Senior (5'11, 206)

Defensive backs

  • 2 – De'Arre McDonald – Senior (6'0, 205)
  • 4 – James Monds III – Sophomore (5'11, 185)
  • 6 – Marvae Myers – Graduate Student (6'0, 196)
  • 7 – Brendon Harris – Graduate Student (6'1, 210)
  • 18 – Xavier Williams – Graduate Student (6'2, 205)
  • 21 – Abdul Muhammad – Junior (6'2, 175)
  • 22 – Chris Johnson – Junior (5'10, 188)
  • 24 – Trevon Ferrell – Sophomore (5'10, 178)
  • 25 – Jackson Lowe – Freshman (6'1, 188)
  • 26 – Jared Douglas – Junior (6'1, 181)
  • 27 – Rickey Smith – Junior (6'0, 177)
  • 28 – Da'Shawn Elder – Junior (6'0, 215)
  • 29 – Tyrell Raby – Junior (5'11, 183)
  • 31 – John Howse IV – Junior (6'1, 198)
  • 32 – Alan Young – Freshman (6'0, 209)
  • 33 – Taylor Ratinaud – Freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 39 – Jordan Beasley – Freshman (6'1, 195)

Kicker/Punter

  • 7 – Zeke Rankin – Senior (5'8, 215) (K)
  • 35 – Zach Benedict – Sophomore (6'1, 195) (K)
  • 36 – Wyatt Joyce – Freshman (5'10, 166) (K)
  • 96 – Jacob Taylor – Freshman (5'10, 190) (P)
  • 97 – Grant Chadwick – Freshman (6'4, 190) (P)
  • 99 – Trey Turk – Senior (6'1, 212) (P)

Long snappers

  • 54 – Connor Dougherty – Sophomore (6'3, 253)
  • 67 – Henry Hamlin – Freshman (6'3, 230)
  • 69 – Brody Butler – Senior (6'0, 229)

Legend

  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Source and player details, 2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Commits (01/14/2025):[3]

References

  1. ^ "2024 Middle Tennessee Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  2. ^ "FB: CUSA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish". conferenceUSA.com. Conference USA. July 19, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football roster". goblueraiders.com.