Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Blue-White Spring Game
Blue Team dispatches White Team in Blue vs. White Spring Game, 20-7
4/13/2024 4:51:00 PM | Football
MTSU Football played its first spring game since 2015 on Saturday
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee football's first spring game under Head Coach Derek Mason saw the Blue Team winning the steak dinner over the White Team, as the Blue Team cruised to a 20-7 win in the spring scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium.
The Blue Team dominated the first half, taking a 13-0 lead into the locker room at the break after outgaining the White Team 222-28 in total offense. Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato was dealing in just over a quarter of action, completing 11-of-12 first half passes for 150 yards including a touchdown pass to Slade Alexander.
The second half would prove to be more even, but the Blue Team's two score lead allowed them to run clock, leaning heavily on Raymond Banner (12 carries, 51 yards) and Jayce Gardner (nine carries, 34 yards with a one-yard touchdown) to stretch the lead to 20-0, before the White Team scored off a pass from Luther Richesson to Taharin Sudderth to end the third quarter.
The White Team looked to have pulled within a touchdown after a fourth-quarter scoop and score in what would've been their second takeaway of the half after Chris Johnson's third quarter interception, but an illegal substitution wiped away the defensive touchdown. The White Team was able to get the ball for one final drive, but James Monds III jumped a route near midfield to pick off Richesson and ice the game for the Blue Team in the closing minute.
Vattiato was sharp for the Blue Team, going 15-for-16 for 228 yards and a touchdown through the air. Richesson also found rhythm at quarterback, going 11-for-16 for 109 yards passing and a touchdown. Omari Kelly led all receivers with six catches for 93 yards for the Blue Team. James Stewart recorded three sacks for the Blue Team off the edge, while the White Team was led defensively with seven tackles from Rickey Smith. Justus Chadwick made both of his field goals for the Blue Team, booting the pair in from 29 yards and 42 yards out, respectively.
By the Numbers
7-for-11: Third down conversions for the Blue Team, a key factor in the Blue Team's victory according to Derek Mason. In contrast, the White Team was just 3-for-9 on third downs on Saturday.
381-125: Overall yardage advantage for the Blue Team against the White Team on Saturday.
39: Yards for the longest play of the scrimmage, a 39-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato to Omari Kelly along the sideline in the first half.
Thoughts from Head Coach Derek Mason
"It was evenly matched. I thought these guys went after each other early in this ballgame. What we saw was a good Blue defense and a good Blue offense capitalize on field position and some big third downs. I thought the Blue Team started with great momentum, played well throughout and they enjoyed the spoils of what consistency brings you. As I look at our White Team, I thought the White Team was good, they just started slow."
"I thought today was fun. I want to thank the fans, truly, for coming out. I want to thank our football alums for coming. I want to thank the parents for coming out and supporting our kids. This was a great day for Blue Raider football. We hadn't been on the field for a while, especially for a spring game, since 2015. Today, the Blue Raiders got better. Today, all of Blue Raider Nation won."
Player's Perspective – Nicholas Vattiato
"It was a lot of fun to be out there. It was a great turnout. Thank you to family, thank you to friends, thank you to fans who came out and supported, students, athletes on other teams, it was really special to see a lot of support there. You love playing football, but when you see all those people there to support even for just a spring game, it means a lot to us, so we don't take it for granted."
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