Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, September 17
Bowling Green, OH
11:00 AM
Middle Tennessee
2-1
41
at
21
Bowling Green (ESPN3/ASN)
1-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Middle Tennessee
14
14
7
6
41
Bowling Green
14
7
0
0
21
Team Stats
MT
BGSU
Total Yards
436
433
Pass Yards
278
129
Rushing Yards
158
304
Penalty Yards
36
79
1st Downs
20
24
3rd Downs
7
6
4th Downs
0
4
TOP
29:49
30:11
1st Quarter
MT 7, BGSU 0
MT - LEE, Ty 6 yd pass from STOCKSTILL, B. (ROOKER, Canon kick) 3 plays, 10 yards, TOP 0:33
MT 7, BGSU 7
BGSU - CLEVELAND, Josh 1 yd run (SUDER, Jake kick), 4 plays, 21 yards, TOP 0:56
MT 7, BGSU 14
BGSU - WILSON, Donovan 4 yd run (SUDER, Jake kick), 9 plays, 84 yards, TOP 2:50
MT 14, BGSU 14
MT - MATHERS, I. 53 yd run (ROOKER, Canon kick), 5 plays, 73 yards, TOP 1:45
2nd Quarter
MT 14, BGSU 21
BGSU - WILSON, Donovan 1 yd run (SUDER, Jake kick), 1 plays, 1 yards, TOP 0:04
MT 21, BGSU 21
MT - JAMES, Richie 16 yd pass from STOCKSTILL, B. (ROOKER, Canon kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:04
MT 28, BGSU 21
MT - MATHERS, I. 4 yd run (ROOKER, Canon kick), 3 plays, 46 yards, TOP 0:29
3rd Quarter
MT 35, BGSU 21
MT - MATHERS, I. 78 yd pass from STOCKSTILL, B. (ROOKER, Canon kick) 1 plays, 78 yards, TOP 0:12
4th Quarter
MT 41, BGSU 21
MT - MATHERS, I. 5 yd run (ROOKER, Canon kickfailed), 6 plays, 26 yards, TOP 3:32
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
DT
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
PK
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ FootballRaiders roll to big road win at Bowling Green, 41-21
9/17/2016 3:01:00 PM | Football
Mathers scores four TDs
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Middle Tennessee scored three touchdowns in a 1:56 span from the end of the first half to the start of the second to erase a 21-14 deficit and shock Bowling Green 41-21 in a driving rain here Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Raiders (2-1) scored 27 unanswered points with steady offense behind a dominating offensive line, and took control behind a stingy defense that allowed just seven points after the first quarter and forced three turnovers.
Senior tailback I'Tavius Mathers made Blue Raider history as he became the second player in program history to amass 100-plus yards passing and receiving in the same game. Mathers was sensational as he collected four total touchdowns.
Mathers rushed for 157 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns, including a career-long of 53 yards. He also hauled in four receptions for 103 yards, including a game-breaking 78-yard touchdown reception to start the second half.
Sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill was solid, once again, going 18-for-30 for 278 yards and three touchdown passes, including one to sophomore receiver Richie James, who had six grabs for 82 yards.
Middle Tennessee's defense was also sound. It forced three turnovers with two fumble recoveries and an interception. The Blue Raiders also forced a fumble on special teams for four total takeaways.
DJ Sanders led the way with 11 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Darius Harris added 10 tackles, Alex Dale and Malik Hawkins had nine tackles each. Shaquille Huff had a big day with eight tackles, two for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. Charvarius Ward and Raynard Felton hauled in interceptions.
The game turned late in the first half.
The Falcons took a 21-14 lead with 13:14 remaining in the first half but the Blue Raider defense settled in after that scoring drive. The score remained 21-14 until the Middle Tennessee offense exploded for 14 unanswered points in the final 1:42 of the first half.
Stockstill found James for a 16-yard touchdown strike with 1:42 remaining in the half to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive. Middle Tennessee's defense was strong in the second quarter and capped a sterling stanza with a Shaquille Huff fumble recovery to set the Blue Raiders up at the Bowling Green 46.
Three plays later, Mathers exploded through the offensive line for a 4-yard scoring burst – his second of the game – to stake Middle Tennessee to a 28-21 lead at halftime.
The scoring bonanza didn't stop at the break.
Middle Tennessee scored on its first play of the second half when Stockstill connected with Mathers for a 78-yard touchdown pass to give the Blue Raiders 21 unanswered points and a 35-21 lead as they took control.
The defense maintained control from there. It dominated after a slow first quarter by allowing just seven points over the final three quarters and allowing the Blue Raiders to come back. In fact, Middle Tennessee was successfully able to convert turnovers into points as it came from behind for victory.
Middle Tennessee got off to a strong start when its special teams recovered a fumbled punt after the opening drive stalled. Charvarius Ward raced downfield and pounced on the pigskin at the Falcon 9. Three plays later Stockstill connected with Ty Lee for a 6-yard scoring strike. Canon Rooker's point after provided a 7-0 lead with 10:50 remaining in the first quarter.
The Blue Raiders' special teams returned the favor after Middle Tennessee's defense forced a three-and-out. A fumbled punt was recovered by Bowling Green, which turned the miscue into points for a 7-7 tie early in the opening quarter.
After Bowling Green went on top 14-7 with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter, Middle Tennessee wasted no time evening the score. Mathers capped a 5-play, 73-yard drive with a beautiful 53-yard touchdown run. The score was tied 14-14 with 2:03 remaining in the first quarter.
The Blue Raiders will open C-USA play when it plays host to Louisiana Tech next Saturday at 6 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were OL Josh Chester, LB DJ Sanders and CB Alex Dale.
MATHERS TOPS 100: Senior I'Tavius Mathers, playing his first year as a Blue Raider, topped the 100-yard mark for the second time in his career. Mathers had a career-high 157 yards on 27 carries to go with three rushing touchdowns against Bowling Green. It marked the first time a Raider back has gone over 100 yards in a game since Shane Tucker had 103 yards at FAU in the rain last year. Mathers had 138 rushing yards in a game at Ole Miss against Idaho in 2013.
MATHERS SETS NEW MT RECORD: I'Tavius Mathers became the second player in MT history to have at least 100-yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Mathers finished with 157 yards rushing and a career-high 103 receiving yards on four catches. The other player was Don Calloway in 2000 against Louisiana-Lafayette (108 rushing and 136 receiving).
STOCKSTILL PASSES QUINN: With 278 yards passing against Bowling Green, quarterback Brent Stockstill surpassed Jonathan Quinn (4,864) for sixth place on the all-time passing yardage list. Stockstill now has 5,052 career yards and will look to chase down Dwight Dasher (5,643) for fifth.
STOCKSTILL TIES MORRIS: Quarterback Brent Stockstill tossed three touchdowns against Bowling Green to move up in the career touchdown passes list. Stockstill now has 41 career TD passes to tie Teddy Morris for third. The all-time record is 53 set by Logan Kilgore (2010-13).
JAMES PASSES JEFFERSON: Sophomore Richie James turned in six receptions against Bowling Green to surpass Tavarres Jefferson for fourth place on the all-time receptions list. James now has 136 career receptions and is looking to chase down Kerry Wright (167) for third.
QUICK HITTERS: I'Tavius Mathers' 78-yard TD reception equaled the 10th longest reception in school history and the third longest by a running back … Mathers had 4 TDs on the afternoon to equal the fourth most scored in a game in school history … This was Middle Tennessee's first game in the state of Ohio since defeating Akron in 2004 … Brent Stockstill has now thrown at least one TD in 9 straight games … DT Shaquille Huff started his team-leading 28th straight game today … Steven Rhodes, Shaquille Huff, and Hunter Rogers all played in their team-leading 41st career game today … LB Malik Hawkins earned his first start today in place of the injured Myles Harges … I'Tavius Mathers' 53-yard TD run was the longest rush for the Blue Raiders this season and the longest for Mathers as a Blue Raider … In the first quarter this season, Brent Stockstill is a combined 41 of 50 through the air.
The Blue Raiders (2-1) scored 27 unanswered points with steady offense behind a dominating offensive line, and took control behind a stingy defense that allowed just seven points after the first quarter and forced three turnovers.
Senior tailback I'Tavius Mathers made Blue Raider history as he became the second player in program history to amass 100-plus yards passing and receiving in the same game. Mathers was sensational as he collected four total touchdowns.
Mathers rushed for 157 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns, including a career-long of 53 yards. He also hauled in four receptions for 103 yards, including a game-breaking 78-yard touchdown reception to start the second half.
Sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill was solid, once again, going 18-for-30 for 278 yards and three touchdown passes, including one to sophomore receiver Richie James, who had six grabs for 82 yards.
Middle Tennessee's defense was also sound. It forced three turnovers with two fumble recoveries and an interception. The Blue Raiders also forced a fumble on special teams for four total takeaways.
DJ Sanders led the way with 11 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Darius Harris added 10 tackles, Alex Dale and Malik Hawkins had nine tackles each. Shaquille Huff had a big day with eight tackles, two for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. Charvarius Ward and Raynard Felton hauled in interceptions.
The game turned late in the first half.
The Falcons took a 21-14 lead with 13:14 remaining in the first half but the Blue Raider defense settled in after that scoring drive. The score remained 21-14 until the Middle Tennessee offense exploded for 14 unanswered points in the final 1:42 of the first half.
Stockstill found James for a 16-yard touchdown strike with 1:42 remaining in the half to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive. Middle Tennessee's defense was strong in the second quarter and capped a sterling stanza with a Shaquille Huff fumble recovery to set the Blue Raiders up at the Bowling Green 46.
Three plays later, Mathers exploded through the offensive line for a 4-yard scoring burst – his second of the game – to stake Middle Tennessee to a 28-21 lead at halftime.
The scoring bonanza didn't stop at the break.
Middle Tennessee scored on its first play of the second half when Stockstill connected with Mathers for a 78-yard touchdown pass to give the Blue Raiders 21 unanswered points and a 35-21 lead as they took control.
The defense maintained control from there. It dominated after a slow first quarter by allowing just seven points over the final three quarters and allowing the Blue Raiders to come back. In fact, Middle Tennessee was successfully able to convert turnovers into points as it came from behind for victory.
Middle Tennessee got off to a strong start when its special teams recovered a fumbled punt after the opening drive stalled. Charvarius Ward raced downfield and pounced on the pigskin at the Falcon 9. Three plays later Stockstill connected with Ty Lee for a 6-yard scoring strike. Canon Rooker's point after provided a 7-0 lead with 10:50 remaining in the first quarter.
The Blue Raiders' special teams returned the favor after Middle Tennessee's defense forced a three-and-out. A fumbled punt was recovered by Bowling Green, which turned the miscue into points for a 7-7 tie early in the opening quarter.
After Bowling Green went on top 14-7 with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter, Middle Tennessee wasted no time evening the score. Mathers capped a 5-play, 73-yard drive with a beautiful 53-yard touchdown run. The score was tied 14-14 with 2:03 remaining in the first quarter.
The Blue Raiders will open C-USA play when it plays host to Louisiana Tech next Saturday at 6 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were OL Josh Chester, LB DJ Sanders and CB Alex Dale.
MATHERS TOPS 100: Senior I'Tavius Mathers, playing his first year as a Blue Raider, topped the 100-yard mark for the second time in his career. Mathers had a career-high 157 yards on 27 carries to go with three rushing touchdowns against Bowling Green. It marked the first time a Raider back has gone over 100 yards in a game since Shane Tucker had 103 yards at FAU in the rain last year. Mathers had 138 rushing yards in a game at Ole Miss against Idaho in 2013.
MATHERS SETS NEW MT RECORD: I'Tavius Mathers became the second player in MT history to have at least 100-yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Mathers finished with 157 yards rushing and a career-high 103 receiving yards on four catches. The other player was Don Calloway in 2000 against Louisiana-Lafayette (108 rushing and 136 receiving).
STOCKSTILL PASSES QUINN: With 278 yards passing against Bowling Green, quarterback Brent Stockstill surpassed Jonathan Quinn (4,864) for sixth place on the all-time passing yardage list. Stockstill now has 5,052 career yards and will look to chase down Dwight Dasher (5,643) for fifth.
STOCKSTILL TIES MORRIS: Quarterback Brent Stockstill tossed three touchdowns against Bowling Green to move up in the career touchdown passes list. Stockstill now has 41 career TD passes to tie Teddy Morris for third. The all-time record is 53 set by Logan Kilgore (2010-13).
JAMES PASSES JEFFERSON: Sophomore Richie James turned in six receptions against Bowling Green to surpass Tavarres Jefferson for fourth place on the all-time receptions list. James now has 136 career receptions and is looking to chase down Kerry Wright (167) for third.
QUICK HITTERS: I'Tavius Mathers' 78-yard TD reception equaled the 10th longest reception in school history and the third longest by a running back … Mathers had 4 TDs on the afternoon to equal the fourth most scored in a game in school history … This was Middle Tennessee's first game in the state of Ohio since defeating Akron in 2004 … Brent Stockstill has now thrown at least one TD in 9 straight games … DT Shaquille Huff started his team-leading 28th straight game today … Steven Rhodes, Shaquille Huff, and Hunter Rogers all played in their team-leading 41st career game today … LB Malik Hawkins earned his first start today in place of the injured Myles Harges … I'Tavius Mathers' 53-yard TD run was the longest rush for the Blue Raiders this season and the longest for Mathers as a Blue Raider … In the first quarter this season, Brent Stockstill is a combined 41 of 50 through the air.
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