Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Thursday, December 24
Nassau, Bahamas
11:00 AM
Middle Tennessee
31
vs
45
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Western Michigan University (ESPN)
Players Mentioned
DL
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QB
/ FootballBlue Raiders' valiant effort falls short in Bahamas Bowl
12/24/2015 3:30:00 PM | Football
James scores three TDs in loss
NASSAU, Bahamas – Middle Tennessee started fast but couldn't finish in a 45-31 setback against Western Michigan in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl here Thursday afternoon.
The game was close throughout and it was tied 31-31 in the fourth quarter, but Western Michigan (8-6) scored 14 unanswered points to pull away and come away with the victory. The loss ended a four-game win streak for the Blue Raiders (7-6).
Freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill completed 26-of-39 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the setback. Stockstill set a new single-season NCAA freshman passing completions mark after connecting on 26 passes against Western Michigan. Stockstill ended the season with 327 completions to break the previous record of 321 set by Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen in 2000.
Classmate Richie James capped a solid season with another solid game. James had eight receptions for 126 yards – his fifth game with 100-plus yards – and three touchdowns. James had two receiving touchdowns and one rushing score of 46 yards. He also set a new single-season receiving mark with 1,346 on the season - good enough to break Kerry Wright's mark of 1,280 yards set in 2003.
Senior receiver Ed Batties capped his career with five receptions for 88 yards.
Trailing 31-24 early in the fourth quarter, Middle Tennessee evened the score in a manner its fans have become accustomed – Stockstill connecting with James. The freshmen struck once again with Stockstill finding James for a 29-yard touchdown to tie the game, 31-31, with 9:41 remaining. It was Stockstill's third passing touchdown of the game, and James third score overall with two receiving scores and one rushing touchdown.
Western Michigan's Jamauri Bogan ran in from 1 yard out as the Broncos reclaimed the advantage, 38-31, with 6:12 remaining. Stockstill was intercepted on Middle Tennessee's next possession and Western Michigan cashed in when Bogan scored from the 1, his fourth touchdown of the game, to push the lead to 45-31 with 5:00 remaining.
The Blue Raiders were highly representative from the outset.
Middle Tennessee waisted no time in getting the scoring started when James took a handoff and went around the left end for 46 yards and a Blue Raider touchdown. The rapid score capped a five-play, 75-yard drive in just 1:17 and staked the Blue Raiders to a 7-0 lead following Cody Clark's point after.
Western Michigan stormed right back with a big play of its own and evened the score on a 62-yard touchdown run from Jamauri Bogan with 12:43 remaining in the first quarter.
The fast start to the Bahamas Bowl continued when the Blue Raiders regained possession. Middle Tennessee turned in another five-play, 75-yard drive ending with a James touchdown. Stockstill connected with James for a 44-yard touchdown strike that went down as the longest scoring pass for the Blue Raiders in a bowl game. It provided them a 14-7 lead with 11:04 remaining in the first quarter.
Middle Tennessee's defense got into the action when it came up with a big stand on Western Michigan's ensuing possession. The Broncos had the ball first-and-goal at the 5 and the drive eventually ended with a missed 30-yard field goal. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty hampered the drive for Western Michigan.
After Western Michigan came back with a 47-yard field goal to narrow the lead to 14-10, Clark answered with a 23-yard effort of his own to push Middle Tennessee ahead 17-10 with 1:04 remaining. By the end of the quarter, the teams were tied, 17-17, following a long run for Central Michigan.
The teams combined for almost 500 yard total offense in the first quarter with each gaining 241 for a total of 482.
Defensive lineman Justin Akins came up with the first big defensive play when he intercepted a Western Michigan pass to give the Blue Raiders possession at the plus 19. The play didn't end as a highlight after the offense was stopped at the 1 and unable to turn the miscue into points.
Western Michigan started at its 1 but was able to flip the field after driving to the Blue Raiders' 45 before being forced to punt. Michael Minter's pass break-up on third-down ended the drive and forced the punt, and Middle Tennessee took over at its 14.
After a high-scoring, fast-paced first quarter, the game turned into a defensive showcase in the second quarter. The teams combined for nearly 500 first-quarter yards, but just 147 in the second quarter with the Blue Raiders gaining 56, and the Broncos, 91.
Western Michigan came up with the first big play of the second half. The Broncos went for it on 4th-and-1 from the Blue Raider 46, and turned it into a 46-yard touchdown on the strength of a Jamauri Bogan run. It gave the Broncos their first lead of the game, 24-17, with 12:03 remaining in the third quarter.
Middle Tennessee's defense continued to play well and the offense finally capitalized on field position when it took over at the Broncos 32 late in the third quarter. Two plays later, Stockstill connected with Collis for a 17-yard touchdown. It was Stockstill's second touchdown of the game, tying a Blue Raider bowl record, and tying the game, 24-24, with 18 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE POSTGAME NOTES
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were LB T.T. Barber, S Kevin Byard, OL Darius Johnson and DT Pat McNeil.
TOUCHDOWN RECORD: With four touchdowns scored today Middle Tennessee set a new single-season record. The Blue Raiders ended the year with 58 total TDs to break the previous mark of 56 set by the 2001 team.
2 FOR 1,000: With 88 receiving yards against Western Michigan, senior Ed Batties went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season making him just the third player to accomplish that feat at MT. Batties joins current teammate Richie James and former Blue Raider Kerry Wright as the only 1,000-yard receivers. MT entered the year with just Wright gaining 1,000 yards on two occasions and Batties and James topped the mark in the same season.
AKINS PICK: Sophomore defensive end Justin Akins, who made his first career start, made his presence felt early. Akins, taking the place of Chris Hale, recorded his first career interception early in the second quarter. It was the first pick by a linemen this season.
STOCKSTILL SETS COMPLETION MARK: Quarterback Brent Stockstill set a new single-season NCAA freshman passing completions mark after connecting on 26 passes against Western Michigan. Stockstill ended the season with 327 completions to break the previous record of 321 set by Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen in 2000.
ELITE COMPANY: With 327 yards vs. Western Michigan, Brent Stockstill finished the season with 4,005 yards. He is one of nine quarterbacks nationally with 4,000-plus yards this season, and four of them hail from C-USA: Brandon Doughty (WKU), Nick Mullens (USM), Jeff Driskel (LT), and Stockstill.
JAMES TOPS 100, BREAKS RECORD: For the fifth time this season, freshman Richie James topped the 100-yard receiving mark and in the process set a new single-season receiving yardage mark. James added 126 yards against Western Michigan to give him 1,346 on the season which was good enough to break Kerry Wright's mark of 1,280 yards set in 2003.
QUICK HITTERS: This marked the first game MT has ever played in its history on December 24 … James Roberson played in his team leading 49th career game today … LB T.T. Barber made his team-high 41st straight start today … Starting DE Chris Hale did not make the trip due to academic reasons … Richie James' 46-yard TD run in the first quarter was the longest of his career and his first-ever rushing score … MT scored a TD on its opening drive of the game for only the second time this season (North Texas) … The 17 first quarter points by MT was more than it had scored in four of its nine bowl games … Senior Pat McNeil registered his second career sack late in the first half today.
The game was close throughout and it was tied 31-31 in the fourth quarter, but Western Michigan (8-6) scored 14 unanswered points to pull away and come away with the victory. The loss ended a four-game win streak for the Blue Raiders (7-6).
Freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill completed 26-of-39 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the setback. Stockstill set a new single-season NCAA freshman passing completions mark after connecting on 26 passes against Western Michigan. Stockstill ended the season with 327 completions to break the previous record of 321 set by Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen in 2000.
Classmate Richie James capped a solid season with another solid game. James had eight receptions for 126 yards – his fifth game with 100-plus yards – and three touchdowns. James had two receiving touchdowns and one rushing score of 46 yards. He also set a new single-season receiving mark with 1,346 on the season - good enough to break Kerry Wright's mark of 1,280 yards set in 2003.
Senior receiver Ed Batties capped his career with five receptions for 88 yards.
Trailing 31-24 early in the fourth quarter, Middle Tennessee evened the score in a manner its fans have become accustomed – Stockstill connecting with James. The freshmen struck once again with Stockstill finding James for a 29-yard touchdown to tie the game, 31-31, with 9:41 remaining. It was Stockstill's third passing touchdown of the game, and James third score overall with two receiving scores and one rushing touchdown.
Western Michigan's Jamauri Bogan ran in from 1 yard out as the Broncos reclaimed the advantage, 38-31, with 6:12 remaining. Stockstill was intercepted on Middle Tennessee's next possession and Western Michigan cashed in when Bogan scored from the 1, his fourth touchdown of the game, to push the lead to 45-31 with 5:00 remaining.
The Blue Raiders were highly representative from the outset.
Middle Tennessee waisted no time in getting the scoring started when James took a handoff and went around the left end for 46 yards and a Blue Raider touchdown. The rapid score capped a five-play, 75-yard drive in just 1:17 and staked the Blue Raiders to a 7-0 lead following Cody Clark's point after.
Western Michigan stormed right back with a big play of its own and evened the score on a 62-yard touchdown run from Jamauri Bogan with 12:43 remaining in the first quarter.
The fast start to the Bahamas Bowl continued when the Blue Raiders regained possession. Middle Tennessee turned in another five-play, 75-yard drive ending with a James touchdown. Stockstill connected with James for a 44-yard touchdown strike that went down as the longest scoring pass for the Blue Raiders in a bowl game. It provided them a 14-7 lead with 11:04 remaining in the first quarter.
Middle Tennessee's defense got into the action when it came up with a big stand on Western Michigan's ensuing possession. The Broncos had the ball first-and-goal at the 5 and the drive eventually ended with a missed 30-yard field goal. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty hampered the drive for Western Michigan.
After Western Michigan came back with a 47-yard field goal to narrow the lead to 14-10, Clark answered with a 23-yard effort of his own to push Middle Tennessee ahead 17-10 with 1:04 remaining. By the end of the quarter, the teams were tied, 17-17, following a long run for Central Michigan.
The teams combined for almost 500 yard total offense in the first quarter with each gaining 241 for a total of 482.
Defensive lineman Justin Akins came up with the first big defensive play when he intercepted a Western Michigan pass to give the Blue Raiders possession at the plus 19. The play didn't end as a highlight after the offense was stopped at the 1 and unable to turn the miscue into points.
Western Michigan started at its 1 but was able to flip the field after driving to the Blue Raiders' 45 before being forced to punt. Michael Minter's pass break-up on third-down ended the drive and forced the punt, and Middle Tennessee took over at its 14.
After a high-scoring, fast-paced first quarter, the game turned into a defensive showcase in the second quarter. The teams combined for nearly 500 first-quarter yards, but just 147 in the second quarter with the Blue Raiders gaining 56, and the Broncos, 91.
Western Michigan came up with the first big play of the second half. The Broncos went for it on 4th-and-1 from the Blue Raider 46, and turned it into a 46-yard touchdown on the strength of a Jamauri Bogan run. It gave the Broncos their first lead of the game, 24-17, with 12:03 remaining in the third quarter.
Middle Tennessee's defense continued to play well and the offense finally capitalized on field position when it took over at the Broncos 32 late in the third quarter. Two plays later, Stockstill connected with Collis for a 17-yard touchdown. It was Stockstill's second touchdown of the game, tying a Blue Raider bowl record, and tying the game, 24-24, with 18 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE POSTGAME NOTES
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were LB T.T. Barber, S Kevin Byard, OL Darius Johnson and DT Pat McNeil.
TOUCHDOWN RECORD: With four touchdowns scored today Middle Tennessee set a new single-season record. The Blue Raiders ended the year with 58 total TDs to break the previous mark of 56 set by the 2001 team.
2 FOR 1,000: With 88 receiving yards against Western Michigan, senior Ed Batties went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season making him just the third player to accomplish that feat at MT. Batties joins current teammate Richie James and former Blue Raider Kerry Wright as the only 1,000-yard receivers. MT entered the year with just Wright gaining 1,000 yards on two occasions and Batties and James topped the mark in the same season.
AKINS PICK: Sophomore defensive end Justin Akins, who made his first career start, made his presence felt early. Akins, taking the place of Chris Hale, recorded his first career interception early in the second quarter. It was the first pick by a linemen this season.
STOCKSTILL SETS COMPLETION MARK: Quarterback Brent Stockstill set a new single-season NCAA freshman passing completions mark after connecting on 26 passes against Western Michigan. Stockstill ended the season with 327 completions to break the previous record of 321 set by Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen in 2000.
ELITE COMPANY: With 327 yards vs. Western Michigan, Brent Stockstill finished the season with 4,005 yards. He is one of nine quarterbacks nationally with 4,000-plus yards this season, and four of them hail from C-USA: Brandon Doughty (WKU), Nick Mullens (USM), Jeff Driskel (LT), and Stockstill.
JAMES TOPS 100, BREAKS RECORD: For the fifth time this season, freshman Richie James topped the 100-yard receiving mark and in the process set a new single-season receiving yardage mark. James added 126 yards against Western Michigan to give him 1,346 on the season which was good enough to break Kerry Wright's mark of 1,280 yards set in 2003.
QUICK HITTERS: This marked the first game MT has ever played in its history on December 24 … James Roberson played in his team leading 49th career game today … LB T.T. Barber made his team-high 41st straight start today … Starting DE Chris Hale did not make the trip due to academic reasons … Richie James' 46-yard TD run in the first quarter was the longest of his career and his first-ever rushing score … MT scored a TD on its opening drive of the game for only the second time this season (North Texas) … The 17 first quarter points by MT was more than it had scored in four of its nine bowl games … Senior Pat McNeil registered his second career sack late in the first half today.
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