Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, November 6
Bowling Green, KY
2:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
4-5 , 2-3
21
at
48
Western Kentucky University
5-4 , 4-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Middle Tennessee
7
7
0
7
21
WKU
21
10
17
0
48
Team Stats
MTSU
WKU
Total Yards
349
352
Pass Yards
226
281
Rushing Yards
123
71
Penalty Yards
56
15
1st Downs
19
19
3rd Downs
7
7
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
33:02
26:58
1st Quarter
MTSU 7, WKU 0
MTSU - England-Chisolm 45 yd pass from Vattiato, Nicho (Rankin, Zeke kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:11
MTSU 7, WKU 7
WKU - DAVIS, D. 17 yd pass from ZAPPE, B. (NARVESON, B. kick) 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:22
MTSU 7, WKU 14
WKU - CORLEY, M. 5 yd pass from ZAPPE, B. (NARVESON, B. kick) 2 plays, 19 yards, TOP 0:36
MTSU 7, WKU 21
WKU - BISHOP, B. 43 yd interception (NARVESON, B. kick)
2nd Quarter
MTSU 14, WKU 21
MTSU - Ali, Yusuf 36 yd pass from Vattiato, Nicho (Rankin, Zeke kick) 5 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:38
MTSU 14, WKU 24
WKU - NARVESON, B. 35 yd field goal 9 plays, 54 yards, TOP 3:38
MTSU 14, WKU 31
WKU - TINSLEY, M. 10 yd pass from ZAPPE, B. (NARVESON, B. kick) 2 plays, 10 yards, TOP 0:09
3rd Quarter
MTSU 14, WKU 38
WKU - DAVIS, D. 28 yd pass from ZAPPE, B. (NARVESON, B. kick) 7 plays, 74 yards, TOP 3:39
MTSU 14, WKU 45
WKU - ZAPPE, B. 8 yd run (NARVESON, B. kick), 4 plays, 33 yards, TOP 1:16
MTSU 14, WKU 48
WKU - NARVESON, B. 43 yd field goal 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 0:57
4th Quarter
MTSU 21, WKU 48
MTSU - Peasant, Frank 5 yd run (Rankin, Zeke kick), 3 plays, 16 yards, TOP 1:04
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
24
TD
2
YDS
205
INT
5
CMP
3
TD
0
YDS
21
INT
1
Players Mentioned
S
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Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole, MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications
Turnovers sink Blue Raiders at WKU
11/6/2021 5:59:00 PM | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Middle Tennessee took one on the teeth on the road in C-USA play, turning the ball over seven times in a 48-21 loss at Western Kentucky on Saturday at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium.
Nicholas Vattiato threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start at quarterback, while Frank Peasant led the Blue Raiders on the ground with 18 carries for 79 yards and a score.
Middle Tennessee started hot, getting two first downs on their opening drive before Vattiato unleashed a 45-yard dart to DJ England-Chisolm for the Blue Raiders first score of the day. The sophomore wideout ran a perfect post to beat his man, and the protection gave Vattiato enough time for him to complete his first career touchdown pass with some flair.
Three turnovers would spell doom for the rest of the first frame, as WKU scored three times to build up a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
After forcing the Hilltoppers off the field on downs early in the second quarter, Vattiato found his rhythm after a spell from Mike DiLiello primarily running the ball. Vattiato hit the streaking Yusuf Ali in stride in the endzone to get the Blue Raiders back on the scoreboard via a 36-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Hilltoppers' lead to 21-14.
The Hilltoppers would add 10 more points before the end of the half, seven off of Blue Raider turnovers, to take a 31-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
After 17 unanswered Hilltopper points in the third quarter, Jaylin Lane returned a 37-yard punt 68 yards to give MT the ball inside the red zone on the WKU 16. Frank Peasant scampered into the endzone from five yards out to cut WKU's margin to 48-21 that would hold until the final whistle.
The Blue Raiders will return home next week to take on C-USA foe Florida International in the annual Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces Game.
POSTGAME NOTES:
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were Reed Blankenship, Jordan Ferguson, DQ Thomas, Jarrin Pierce and CJ Windham.
THOMAS SETS RECORD: LB DQ Thomas played in his 56th career Blue Raider game today against WKU, which is a new school record for games played. Thomas broke the previous mark of 55 set by Jovante Moffatt (2015-19). Teammate CJ Windham played in his 53rd game which ranks tied for the third most at MT.
FIRST-GAME JITTERS?: Blue Raider true freshman quarterback Nicholas Vattiato made his first career start at WKU. He looked more like a veteran than a rookie on the game's opening drive when he completed 4-of-5 passes for 64 yards capped by a 45-yard TD pass to DJ England-Chisolm. Unfortunately, the remainder of the first half did not go as well as Vattiato threw four interceptions.
ABOUT FACE: The MT defense entered the WKU game leading the nation in turnovers forced with 25; however, it was the Hilltoppers that hauled in four first-half interceptions against the Blue Raiders. They scored 21 points off of those turnovers on their way to a 31-14 halftime lead. WKU ended up with seven takeaways, six interceptions and one fumble recovery.
OPENING DRIVE: MT scored on its opening drive for just the second time in nine games when it drove 75 yards on eight plays on the game's opening possession. The Blue Raiders also scored on their opening drive against Marshall.
STREAK STAYS ALIVE: WR Jarrin Pierce had two catches against WKU to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 30 games, which is tied for the 11th longest such streak nationally and the sixth longest all time at Middle Tennessee. Pierce has caught at least one pass in every game of his Blue Raider career.
QUICK HITTERS: WR Jarrin Pierce and safety Greg Grate made their team-leading 19th consecutive start against WKU today … Yusuf Ali's 36-yard TD catch in the 2nd quarter was the longest of his career … Frank Peasant scored his first rushing TD of the season and second of his career in the fourth quarter vs. WKU.
Nicholas Vattiato threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start at quarterback, while Frank Peasant led the Blue Raiders on the ground with 18 carries for 79 yards and a score.
Middle Tennessee started hot, getting two first downs on their opening drive before Vattiato unleashed a 45-yard dart to DJ England-Chisolm for the Blue Raiders first score of the day. The sophomore wideout ran a perfect post to beat his man, and the protection gave Vattiato enough time for him to complete his first career touchdown pass with some flair.
Three turnovers would spell doom for the rest of the first frame, as WKU scored three times to build up a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
After forcing the Hilltoppers off the field on downs early in the second quarter, Vattiato found his rhythm after a spell from Mike DiLiello primarily running the ball. Vattiato hit the streaking Yusuf Ali in stride in the endzone to get the Blue Raiders back on the scoreboard via a 36-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Hilltoppers' lead to 21-14.
The Hilltoppers would add 10 more points before the end of the half, seven off of Blue Raider turnovers, to take a 31-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
After 17 unanswered Hilltopper points in the third quarter, Jaylin Lane returned a 37-yard punt 68 yards to give MT the ball inside the red zone on the WKU 16. Frank Peasant scampered into the endzone from five yards out to cut WKU's margin to 48-21 that would hold until the final whistle.
The Blue Raiders will return home next week to take on C-USA foe Florida International in the annual Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces Game.
POSTGAME NOTES:
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were Reed Blankenship, Jordan Ferguson, DQ Thomas, Jarrin Pierce and CJ Windham.
THOMAS SETS RECORD: LB DQ Thomas played in his 56th career Blue Raider game today against WKU, which is a new school record for games played. Thomas broke the previous mark of 55 set by Jovante Moffatt (2015-19). Teammate CJ Windham played in his 53rd game which ranks tied for the third most at MT.
FIRST-GAME JITTERS?: Blue Raider true freshman quarterback Nicholas Vattiato made his first career start at WKU. He looked more like a veteran than a rookie on the game's opening drive when he completed 4-of-5 passes for 64 yards capped by a 45-yard TD pass to DJ England-Chisolm. Unfortunately, the remainder of the first half did not go as well as Vattiato threw four interceptions.
ABOUT FACE: The MT defense entered the WKU game leading the nation in turnovers forced with 25; however, it was the Hilltoppers that hauled in four first-half interceptions against the Blue Raiders. They scored 21 points off of those turnovers on their way to a 31-14 halftime lead. WKU ended up with seven takeaways, six interceptions and one fumble recovery.
OPENING DRIVE: MT scored on its opening drive for just the second time in nine games when it drove 75 yards on eight plays on the game's opening possession. The Blue Raiders also scored on their opening drive against Marshall.
STREAK STAYS ALIVE: WR Jarrin Pierce had two catches against WKU to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 30 games, which is tied for the 11th longest such streak nationally and the sixth longest all time at Middle Tennessee. Pierce has caught at least one pass in every game of his Blue Raider career.
QUICK HITTERS: WR Jarrin Pierce and safety Greg Grate made their team-leading 19th consecutive start against WKU today … Yusuf Ali's 36-yard TD catch in the 2nd quarter was the longest of his career … Frank Peasant scored his first rushing TD of the season and second of his career in the fourth quarter vs. WKU.
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 4 (Video)
Monday, September 15
MTSU Football Weekly Press Conference 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
MTSU Football at Nevada highlights – 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
MTSU Football at Nevada Full Game Highlights – 9/13/25
Saturday, September 13
