Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raider football schedule breakdown
7/21/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With the countdown to the college football season under 50 days, Middle Tennessee is gearing up for yet another challenging slate.
The Blue Raiders' schedule in past years has been daunting, with national championship and conference title contenders in the nonconference thrown together with the challenging Conference USA. It appears 2019 will be no different.
"It's a tough slate," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's a challenging out-of-conference schedule again, and we continue to play more Power 5 conference schools than anyone else in this conference.
"We have to do a great job in our planning and preparation during August."
One interesting factor with the Raiders' schedule this year is having two byes, coming in weeks 4 and 11.
Thanks to how the NCAA's schedule falls in the calendar, college football teams will be granted 14 weeks to play 12 games, meaning each school will get two bye weeks for the first time since 2014.
Stockstill is happy to have the added week of rest in the middle of the year, but the expanded schedule will make for some difficulties.
"This is going to be a longer year because of our two open dates," he said. "We have to do a really good job of managing the wear and tear on our bodies."
Middle Tennessee will travel to two Big Ten Conference schools – Michigan in Week 1 and Iowa in Week 5 after a bye – and will host Tennessee State and Duke in weeks 2 and 3, respectively, in the non-conference. Then, the Blue Raiders will start its C-USA schedule at home against Marshall on Oct. 5 before traveling to FAU on Oct. 12.
The first half will be a tough test, and getting through it as healthy as possible will be key for the Raiders heading into the final six contests, where they'll have another tough stretch against C-USA title hopefuls.
"Our first six games are brutal," Stockstill said. "There aren't any layups in it, and hopefully we don't get beat up in them. Sometimes, you get so beat up in the out-of-conference that by the time you get to your conference schedule, you're a different team."
Starting the last half of the year, MT will travel to probable West Division favorite North Texas before hosting FIU, the only C-USA team to beat Middle Tennessee in the 2018 regular season. The Blue Raiders will then go to Charlotte before their second bye week.
Contests against Rice and Old Dominion will conclude the 2019 home slate, and the regular season will conclude Nov. 30 at rival WKU.
All six of Middle Tennessee's home games will have promotions for fans, and new additions will help liven up the Blue Raiders' atmosphere. Go to the MT tickets page to buy your MT football tickets now.
Here's a breakdown of the schedule:
Aug. 31 at Michigan, Big Ten Network
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): Jim Harbaugh (96-41, 11 years; 38-14, 4 years)
2018 record: 10-3, 8-1 Big Ten
2018 offensive stats/national rankings:
35.2 ppg (21), 203.8 rush ypg (30), 215.7 pass ypg (80), 419.5 total ypg (50)
2018 defensive stats/national rankings:
19.4 ppg (16), 127.4 rush ypg (23), 147.8 pass ypg (2), 275.2 total ypg (2)
Returning starters: 12 (7 offense, 5 defense)
Notable players: Shea Patterson, QB; Lavert Hill, CB; Nico Collins, WR; Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR; Josh Uche, LB
Sept. 7 vs. Tennessee State, ESPN3
Series record: 10-9
Last meeting: 1998, 28-27 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Rod Reed (53-47, 10 years; same)
2018 record: 4-5, 3-4 OVC
2018 offensive stats:
29.3 ppg, 155.1 rush ypg, 276.2 pass ypg, 431.3 total ypg
2018 defensive stats:
32.1 ppg, 142.7 rush ypg, 287.4 pass ypg, 430.1 total ypg
Notable players: Michael Hughes, QB; Chris Rowland, WR; Dajour Nesbeth, CB; Mehki Brown, DE; Jeremiah Caine, DT
Sept. 14 vs. Duke, Stadium on Facebook
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): David Cutcliffe (111-101, 17+ years; 67-72, 11 years)
2018 record: 8-5, 3-5 ACC
2018 offensive stats/national rankings:
29.4 ppg (64), 159.6 rush ypg (78), 246.1 pass ypg (53), 405.7 total ypg (65)
2018 defensive stats/national rankings:
27.4 ppg (72), 209.3 rush ypg (105), 199.5 pass ypg (36), 408.8 total ypg (77)
Returning starters: 14 (5 offense, 9 defense)
Notable players: Mark Gilbert, CB; Deon Jackson, RB; Quentin Harris, QB; Victor Dimukeje, DE; Jack Wohlabaugh, OL
Sept. 28 at Iowa, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): Kirk Ferentz (164-122, 23 years; 152-101, 20 years)
2018 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big Ten
2018 offensive stats/national rankings:
31.2 ppg (44), 148.4 rush ypg (95), 226.6 pass ypg (72), 375.0 total ypg (92)
2018 defensive stats/national rankings:
17.8 ppg (11), 109.5 rush ypg (12), 184.1 pass ypg (17), 293.6 total ypg (7)
Returning starters: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense)
Notable players: Alaric Jackson, OL; A.J. Epenesa, DE; Tristan Wirfs, OL; Geno Stone, S; Nate Stanley, QB
Oct. 5 vs. Marshall, CBSSN on Facebook
Series record: 3-5
Last meeting: 2018, 34-24 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Doc Holliday (70-46, 9 years; same)
2018 record: 9-4, 6-2 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
28.2 ppg (6), 165.5 rush ypg (4), 228.1 pass ypg (8), 393.6 total ypg (6)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
21.8 ppg (3), 104.2 rush ypg (2), 234.5 pass ypg (8), 338.7 total ypg (4)
Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)
Notable players: Isaiah Green, QB; Brenden Knox, RB; Tyler King, RB; Ty Tyler, DT; Chris Jackson, CB
Oct. 12 at Florida Atlantic, ESPN+
Series record: 12-4
Last meeting: 2018, 25-24 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Lane Kiffin (51-31, 6+ years; 16-10, 2 years)
2018 record: 5-7, 3-5 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
31.1 ppg (3), 241.8 rush ypg (1), 237.0 pass ypg (7), 478.8 total ypg (1)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
31.8 ppg (11), 186 rush ypg (11), 238.4 pass ypg (9), 424.4 total ypg (11)
Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5 defense)
Notable players: Chris Robison, QB; Rashad Smith, LB; Harrison Bryant, TE; Zyon Gilbert, S; Brandon Walton, OL
Oct. 19 at North Texas, Stadium
Series record: 7-8
Last meeting: 2016, 30-13 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Seth Littrell (23-17, 3 years; same
2018 record: 9-4, 5-3 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
34.6 ppg (1), 153.8 rush ypg (6), 306.8 pass ypg (1), 460.5 total ypg (2)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
24.2 ppg (5), 119.8 rush ypg (5), 254.8 pass ypg (11), 374.6 total ypg (6)
Returning starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)
Notable players: Mason Fine, QB; DeAndre Torrey, RB; Rico Bussey Jr., WR; LaDarius Hamilton, DE; Khairi Muhammad, S
Oct. 26 vs. FIU, NFL Network
Series record: 9-5
Last meeting: 2018, 24-21 FIU win
Head coach (record, at school): Butch Davis (80-52, 12 years; 17-9, 2 years)
2018 record: 9-4, 6-2
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
34.6 ppg (1), 175.8 rush ypg (3), 245.7 pass ypg (6), 421.5 total ypg (4)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
25.2 ppg (6), 192.2 rush ypg (12), 194.1 pass ypg (4), 386.3 total ypg (8)
Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)
Notable players: James Morgan, QB; D'Vonte Price, RB; Sage Lewis, LB; Richard Dames, S; Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB
Nov. 2 at Charlotte, ESPN3
Series record: 4-0
Last meeting: 2018, 21-13 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Will Healy (13-21, 3 years; first year)
2018 record: 5-7, 4-4 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
21.7 ppg (10), 162.6 rush ypg (5), 180.5 pass ypg (12), 343.1 total ypg (11)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
26.6 ppg (7), 105.7 rush ypg (3), 231.7 pass ypg (7), 337.3 total ypg (3)
Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, 8 defense)
Notable players: Benny LeMay, RB; Victor Tucker, WR; Cameron Clark, LT; Alex Highsmith, DE; Ben DeLuca, S
Nov. 16 vs. Rice, ESPN+
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): Mike Bloomgren (2-11, 1 year; same)
2018 record: 2-11, 1-7 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
18.9 ppg (12), 143.6 rush ypg (7), 174.8 pass ypg (13), 318 total ypg (12)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
36.0 ppg (14), 166 rush ypg (9), 280.1 pass ypg (14), 446.1 total ypg (13)
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)
Notable players: Austin Trammell, WR; Aaron Cephus, WR; Blaze Alldredge, LB; George Nyakwol, S; Prudy Calderon, S
Nov. 23 vs. Old Dominion, ESPN3
Series record: 3-0
Last meeting: 2018, 51-17 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Bobby Wilder (76-45, 10 years; same)
2018 record: 4-8, 2-6 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
30.8 ppg (4), 130.8 rush ypg (10), 297 pass ypg (2), 427.8 total ypg (3)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
35.9 ppg (13), 216.4 rush ypg (14), 255.0 pass ypg (12), 471.4 total ypg (14)
Returning starters: 6 (2 offense, 4 defense)
Notable players: Kesean Strong, RB; Isaac Weaver, OL; Lawrence Garner, LB; Jodan Young, LB; Joe Joe Headen, CB
Nov. 30 at WKU, ESPN+
Series record: 35-32-1
Last meeting: 2018, 29-10 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Tyson Helton (first season)
2018 record: 3-9, 2-6 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
21.1 ppg (11), 136.8 rush ypg (8), 226.8 pass ypg (9), 363.7 total ypg (10)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
27.8 ppg (9), 172.8 rush ypg (10), 248.8 pass ypg (10), 421.6 total ypg (10)
Returning starters: 15 (9 offense, 6 defense)
Notable players: Joshua Samuel, RB; Lucky Jackson, WR; Ta'Corian Darden, S; Devon Key, S; Juwuan Jones, DE
The Blue Raiders' schedule in past years has been daunting, with national championship and conference title contenders in the nonconference thrown together with the challenging Conference USA. It appears 2019 will be no different.
"It's a tough slate," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's a challenging out-of-conference schedule again, and we continue to play more Power 5 conference schools than anyone else in this conference.
"We have to do a great job in our planning and preparation during August."
One interesting factor with the Raiders' schedule this year is having two byes, coming in weeks 4 and 11.
Thanks to how the NCAA's schedule falls in the calendar, college football teams will be granted 14 weeks to play 12 games, meaning each school will get two bye weeks for the first time since 2014.
Stockstill is happy to have the added week of rest in the middle of the year, but the expanded schedule will make for some difficulties.
"This is going to be a longer year because of our two open dates," he said. "We have to do a really good job of managing the wear and tear on our bodies."
Middle Tennessee will travel to two Big Ten Conference schools – Michigan in Week 1 and Iowa in Week 5 after a bye – and will host Tennessee State and Duke in weeks 2 and 3, respectively, in the non-conference. Then, the Blue Raiders will start its C-USA schedule at home against Marshall on Oct. 5 before traveling to FAU on Oct. 12.
The first half will be a tough test, and getting through it as healthy as possible will be key for the Raiders heading into the final six contests, where they'll have another tough stretch against C-USA title hopefuls.
"Our first six games are brutal," Stockstill said. "There aren't any layups in it, and hopefully we don't get beat up in them. Sometimes, you get so beat up in the out-of-conference that by the time you get to your conference schedule, you're a different team."
Starting the last half of the year, MT will travel to probable West Division favorite North Texas before hosting FIU, the only C-USA team to beat Middle Tennessee in the 2018 regular season. The Blue Raiders will then go to Charlotte before their second bye week.
Contests against Rice and Old Dominion will conclude the 2019 home slate, and the regular season will conclude Nov. 30 at rival WKU.
All six of Middle Tennessee's home games will have promotions for fans, and new additions will help liven up the Blue Raiders' atmosphere. Go to the MT tickets page to buy your MT football tickets now.
Here's a breakdown of the schedule:
Aug. 31 at Michigan, Big Ten Network
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): Jim Harbaugh (96-41, 11 years; 38-14, 4 years)
2018 record: 10-3, 8-1 Big Ten
2018 offensive stats/national rankings:
35.2 ppg (21), 203.8 rush ypg (30), 215.7 pass ypg (80), 419.5 total ypg (50)
2018 defensive stats/national rankings:
19.4 ppg (16), 127.4 rush ypg (23), 147.8 pass ypg (2), 275.2 total ypg (2)
Returning starters: 12 (7 offense, 5 defense)
Notable players: Shea Patterson, QB; Lavert Hill, CB; Nico Collins, WR; Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR; Josh Uche, LB
Sept. 7 vs. Tennessee State, ESPN3
Series record: 10-9
Last meeting: 1998, 28-27 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Rod Reed (53-47, 10 years; same)
2018 record: 4-5, 3-4 OVC
2018 offensive stats:
29.3 ppg, 155.1 rush ypg, 276.2 pass ypg, 431.3 total ypg
2018 defensive stats:
32.1 ppg, 142.7 rush ypg, 287.4 pass ypg, 430.1 total ypg
Notable players: Michael Hughes, QB; Chris Rowland, WR; Dajour Nesbeth, CB; Mehki Brown, DE; Jeremiah Caine, DT
Sept. 14 vs. Duke, Stadium on Facebook
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): David Cutcliffe (111-101, 17+ years; 67-72, 11 years)
2018 record: 8-5, 3-5 ACC
2018 offensive stats/national rankings:
29.4 ppg (64), 159.6 rush ypg (78), 246.1 pass ypg (53), 405.7 total ypg (65)
2018 defensive stats/national rankings:
27.4 ppg (72), 209.3 rush ypg (105), 199.5 pass ypg (36), 408.8 total ypg (77)
Returning starters: 14 (5 offense, 9 defense)
Notable players: Mark Gilbert, CB; Deon Jackson, RB; Quentin Harris, QB; Victor Dimukeje, DE; Jack Wohlabaugh, OL
Sept. 28 at Iowa, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): Kirk Ferentz (164-122, 23 years; 152-101, 20 years)
2018 record: 9-4, 5-4 Big Ten
2018 offensive stats/national rankings:
31.2 ppg (44), 148.4 rush ypg (95), 226.6 pass ypg (72), 375.0 total ypg (92)
2018 defensive stats/national rankings:
17.8 ppg (11), 109.5 rush ypg (12), 184.1 pass ypg (17), 293.6 total ypg (7)
Returning starters: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense)
Notable players: Alaric Jackson, OL; A.J. Epenesa, DE; Tristan Wirfs, OL; Geno Stone, S; Nate Stanley, QB
Oct. 5 vs. Marshall, CBSSN on Facebook
Series record: 3-5
Last meeting: 2018, 34-24 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Doc Holliday (70-46, 9 years; same)
2018 record: 9-4, 6-2 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
28.2 ppg (6), 165.5 rush ypg (4), 228.1 pass ypg (8), 393.6 total ypg (6)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
21.8 ppg (3), 104.2 rush ypg (2), 234.5 pass ypg (8), 338.7 total ypg (4)
Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)
Notable players: Isaiah Green, QB; Brenden Knox, RB; Tyler King, RB; Ty Tyler, DT; Chris Jackson, CB
Oct. 12 at Florida Atlantic, ESPN+
Series record: 12-4
Last meeting: 2018, 25-24 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Lane Kiffin (51-31, 6+ years; 16-10, 2 years)
2018 record: 5-7, 3-5 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
31.1 ppg (3), 241.8 rush ypg (1), 237.0 pass ypg (7), 478.8 total ypg (1)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
31.8 ppg (11), 186 rush ypg (11), 238.4 pass ypg (9), 424.4 total ypg (11)
Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5 defense)
Notable players: Chris Robison, QB; Rashad Smith, LB; Harrison Bryant, TE; Zyon Gilbert, S; Brandon Walton, OL
Oct. 19 at North Texas, Stadium
Series record: 7-8
Last meeting: 2016, 30-13 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Seth Littrell (23-17, 3 years; same
2018 record: 9-4, 5-3 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
34.6 ppg (1), 153.8 rush ypg (6), 306.8 pass ypg (1), 460.5 total ypg (2)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
24.2 ppg (5), 119.8 rush ypg (5), 254.8 pass ypg (11), 374.6 total ypg (6)
Returning starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)
Notable players: Mason Fine, QB; DeAndre Torrey, RB; Rico Bussey Jr., WR; LaDarius Hamilton, DE; Khairi Muhammad, S
Oct. 26 vs. FIU, NFL Network
Series record: 9-5
Last meeting: 2018, 24-21 FIU win
Head coach (record, at school): Butch Davis (80-52, 12 years; 17-9, 2 years)
2018 record: 9-4, 6-2
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
34.6 ppg (1), 175.8 rush ypg (3), 245.7 pass ypg (6), 421.5 total ypg (4)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
25.2 ppg (6), 192.2 rush ypg (12), 194.1 pass ypg (4), 386.3 total ypg (8)
Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense)
Notable players: James Morgan, QB; D'Vonte Price, RB; Sage Lewis, LB; Richard Dames, S; Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB
Nov. 2 at Charlotte, ESPN3
Series record: 4-0
Last meeting: 2018, 21-13 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Will Healy (13-21, 3 years; first year)
2018 record: 5-7, 4-4 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
21.7 ppg (10), 162.6 rush ypg (5), 180.5 pass ypg (12), 343.1 total ypg (11)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
26.6 ppg (7), 105.7 rush ypg (3), 231.7 pass ypg (7), 337.3 total ypg (3)
Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, 8 defense)
Notable players: Benny LeMay, RB; Victor Tucker, WR; Cameron Clark, LT; Alex Highsmith, DE; Ben DeLuca, S
Nov. 16 vs. Rice, ESPN+
Series record: 0-0
Head coach (record, at school): Mike Bloomgren (2-11, 1 year; same)
2018 record: 2-11, 1-7 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
18.9 ppg (12), 143.6 rush ypg (7), 174.8 pass ypg (13), 318 total ypg (12)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
36.0 ppg (14), 166 rush ypg (9), 280.1 pass ypg (14), 446.1 total ypg (13)
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)
Notable players: Austin Trammell, WR; Aaron Cephus, WR; Blaze Alldredge, LB; George Nyakwol, S; Prudy Calderon, S
Nov. 23 vs. Old Dominion, ESPN3
Series record: 3-0
Last meeting: 2018, 51-17 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Bobby Wilder (76-45, 10 years; same)
2018 record: 4-8, 2-6 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
30.8 ppg (4), 130.8 rush ypg (10), 297 pass ypg (2), 427.8 total ypg (3)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
35.9 ppg (13), 216.4 rush ypg (14), 255.0 pass ypg (12), 471.4 total ypg (14)
Returning starters: 6 (2 offense, 4 defense)
Notable players: Kesean Strong, RB; Isaac Weaver, OL; Lawrence Garner, LB; Jodan Young, LB; Joe Joe Headen, CB
Nov. 30 at WKU, ESPN+
Series record: 35-32-1
Last meeting: 2018, 29-10 MT win
Head coach (record, at school): Tyson Helton (first season)
2018 record: 3-9, 2-6 C-USA
2018 offensive stats/C-USA rankings:
21.1 ppg (11), 136.8 rush ypg (8), 226.8 pass ypg (9), 363.7 total ypg (10)
2018 defensive stats/C-USA rankings:
27.8 ppg (9), 172.8 rush ypg (10), 248.8 pass ypg (10), 421.6 total ypg (10)
Returning starters: 15 (9 offense, 6 defense)
Notable players: Joshua Samuel, RB; Lucky Jackson, WR; Ta'Corian Darden, S; Devon Key, S; Juwuan Jones, DE
MTSU Football @ Kennesaw State post-game conference - 9/27/25
Saturday, September 27
Raider Report Week 5 - MTSU vs. Kennesaw State University
Friday, September 26
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 5 (Video)
Monday, September 22
MTSU Football Weekly Press Conference 9/22/25
Monday, September 22
