Blue Raiders dominate Panthers, 40-6

Saturday, November 11

Murfreesboro, TN

2:30 PM

Middle Tennessee

3-7 , 2-4

FIU

4-6 , 1-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

FIU

Middle Tenn.

11/11/2023 6:08:00 PM | Football

Box Score Post Game Notes Gamebook Cumulative Stats Photo Gallery

MTSU is 9-2 in its last 11 Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces games

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee football were dominant in every facet of the game on Saturday afternoon, jumping out to a huge halftime lead and continuing to roll after the break, defeating FIU 40-6 in Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium.

MTSU (3-7, 2-4 CUSA) would grab the first points of the game on the Blue Raiders' second drive of the afternoon, when Elijah Metcalf caught a screen pass to the left. The Panthers (4-6j, 1-6 CUSA) looked like they had the speedy slot receiver down, but Metcalf spun out of the arm tackle, used his arm to stay on his feet and found space, sprinting to the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown catch. MTSU followed up their first score with a 10-play, 67-yard drive ending in a 29-yard field goal from Zeke Rankin.

The Blue Raider defense, however, would be the next unit to score, as Jorden Starling poked the ball loose from FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins, sending the fumble into the air. Richard Kinley showed instant awareness to snatch the ball, running the recovery back 23 yards for MTSU's second touchdown of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Holden Willis was the beneficiary of a stop and go concept, finding plenty of grass near the FIU sideline when some Panthers were drawn in by Javonte Sherman's quick hitch route. Willis caught the pass, hesitated to make the FIU DB miss and then juked his man one more time for the easy 32-yard touchdown.

The Blue Raiders grew their lead even further late in the frame, when Vattiato found DJ England-Chisolm in between a pair of Panthers, but behind everyone else. The speedster easily won the track meet to the endzone for a 72-yard touchdown reception. The Panthers added a field goal just before the half to make the game 31-6 at halftime.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter until a 37-yard punt from Trey Turk was downed at the FIU two-yard line. Three players later, Jenkins fumbled the ball attempting to pass, falling on the ball in the endzone to give MTSU a safety. On the ensuing drive, Vattiato found Jeremy Tate Jr. in the middle of the field, with the WR-H powering his way through multiple Panthers for a 20-yard touchdown.

By the Numbers
40: Rush yards for FIU. These are the fewest rush yards allowed by MTSU since GAME on DATE.
2: Safeties forced by MTSU this season. The Blue Raiders also forced a safety against Missouri on September 9, 2023.
11: Defensive touchdowns for MTSU since 2021. Entering today, that's the second most defensive touchdowns by a program in that time frame, just behind Ohio State.

Blue Raider Notes
• MTSU celebrated its 41st annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game today against FIU.
• The Blue Raiders are 9-2 in their last 11 Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces games.
• The last time MTSU returned a fumble for a TD was against FIU on November 27, 2021 (Jordan Ferguson - 71 yards).
• First time the Blue Raiders defense has held an opponent out of the endzone in the first half this season.
• The Blue Raiders are 12-3 in their last 15 games played in November.
• MTSU forced its second safety of the season. The last safety came against Missouri on Sep. 9, 2023 – also in the fourth quarter.
• The Blue Raider defense has only allowed 19 points over the past two games.
• Fewest points by an opponent in CUSA play since Nov. 24, 2018 against UAB, when the Blue Raiders held the Blazers to three points.

Head Coach Rick Stockstill
• Under Coach Stockstill, the Blue Raider defense has scored 45 defensive TDs. 40 have come since 2009. Of the 45 scores, 29 have been interceptions, while 16 have come by way of fumble returns.
• This marks the 11th defensive TD by the Blue Raiders since 2021 which ranks second in the country behind only Ohio State (entering today).

#11 | Nicholas Vattiato | QB | r-So.
• Finished 18-for-25 with 275 yards and with a career high four TDs.
• Eight 200 yard passing performances this season – 12 career – ties for sixth all-time.
• Currently tied for seventh all-time for single season TDs with 20 (Asher O'Hara 2019)
• Moved into the top 10 in single season pass yards.

#83 | Holden Willis | WR | Jr.
• Tallied three catches for 75 yards and a TD.

Defensive Player Notes
#0 | Richard Kinley | DE | r-Jr.
• Scoop and scored on a fumble forced by Jorden Starling in the first quarter against FIU.

#2 | Jorden Starling | DT | r-Sr.
• Played in his 60th career game this evening, tying the all-time record of career games played, set by DQ Thomas (2017-21).
• Forced a fumble in the first quarter against FIU that resulted in a defensive TD – the 45 all-time under Coach Stockstill.

Special Teams Player Notes
#7 | Zeke Rankin | K | Jr.
• Made his 32nd career field goal against FIU – ranks ninth all-time in career field goals made

Thoughts from Head Coach Rick Stockstill
"First of all, congratulations to our team. Really proud of them and how hard they worked this week and their mental approach to this game. I thought they did a really nice job. Finally, we put a game together, all three phases, probably the most complete game we've played with all three phases. We played really good, complementary football.

"The kicking game, I thought we were really outstanding in the kicking game. We downed two punts inside the two or three and one led to a safety. We covered good, we kicked good. We scored a defensive touchdown. We kept the ball in front of us defensively. We tackled a little bit better and made them go the long way.

"Offensively, I thought we played physical at every position. I thought our quarterbacks had some physical runs. I thought our receivers made some physical, competitive catches and finished."

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