Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
1-5 , 0-2
Missouri State University
3-3 , 1-1
Blue Raiders’ Comeback Falls Short in CUSA Heartbreaker
10/8/2025 10:38:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In a game that came down to the final seconds, Middle Tennessee fell just short in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday night, dropping a 22-20 decision to Missouri State in the first Conference USA midweek matchup of the season at Floyd Stadium.
The Blue Raiders (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) led 20-19 late in the fourth quarter after quarterback Nicholas Vattiato connected with Cam'ron Lacy for a 10-yard touchdown with 9:12 remaining. But Missouri State (3-3, 1-1) answered with a field goal on its next possession to regain the lead, and a potential game-winning 50-yard kick by Jacob Hathaway in the final minute narrowly missed wide left.
Vattiato completed 30 of 43 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns while leading an offense that outgained the Bears 353-348 in total yardage. Lacy finished with six receptions for 114 yards and both of MTSU's touchdowns, including a 52-yard strike in the second quarter that gave the Blue Raiders a brief 10-6 lead.
Running back Jekail Middlebrook continued his steady production, rushing for 93 yards on 17 carries and adding 19 receiving yards.
Defensively, Middle Tennessee pressured Missouri State throughout, recording four sacks and nine tackles for loss. Reggie Johnson and Anthony Bynum each registered a sack, while Brendon Harris and Alex Mitchell tallied five tackles apiece.
Hathaway connected on field goals of 45 and 40 yards earlier in the game, including one as time expired in the first half to bring the Blue Raiders within 16-13 at the break.
Despite controlling much of the second half and holding the Bears to just six points after halftime, Middle Tennessee couldn't quite complete the comeback in front of 9,806 fans under the lights at Floyd Stadium.
By the Numbers
356: Despite the loss, the Blue Raiders outgained their opponent 353 yards to 348. This marks the second consecutive game MTSU has outgained its opponent.
114: Lacy becomes the first Blue Raider to record 100 or more receiving yards since Myles Butler logged 101 yards at UTEP last season.
54: With a pair of touchdown passes on the night, Vattiato passed Logan Kilgore for second all-time on the career passing touchdowns list with 54.
Thoughts from Head Coach Derek Mason
Up Next
The Blue Raiders are off next week before traveling to Newark to face Delaware on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and over the air on the Blue Raider Network.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Football on social media on Facebook (/BlueRaiderFooball), X (Formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_FB) and Instagram (@mt_fb).
Team Stats
MSU 0, MTS 3
MTS - Hathaway,Jacob 45 yd field goal 8 plays, 38 yards, TOP 04:18
MSU 6, MTS 3
MSU - Bailey,Deuce 5 yd run (), 3 plays, 24 yards, TOP 00:56
MSU 6, MTS 10
MTS - Lacy,Cam'ron 52 yd pass from Vattiato,Nicholas (Hathaway,Jacob kick) 3 plays, 82 yards, TOP 01:12
MSU 13, MTS 10
MSU - Johnson,Ronnel 20 yd pass from Bailey,Deuce (Obeid,Yousef kick) 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 04:31
MSU 16, MTS 10
MSU - Obeid,Yousef 39 yd field goal 8 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:43
MSU 16, MTS 13
MTS - Hathaway,Jacob 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 56 yards, TOP 00:59
MSU 19, MTS 13
MSU - Obeid,Yousef 25 yd field goal 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:20
MSU 19, MTS 20
MTS - Lacy,Cam'ron 10 yd pass from Vattiato,Nicholas (Hathaway,Jacob kick) 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:58
MSU 22, MTS 20
MSU - Obeid,Yousef 29 yd field goal 10 plays, 56 yards, TOP 04:45
