Blue Raiders face rival Hilltoppers Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 15 \| 2:32 p.m. \| Houchens-Smith Stadium (22,113) \| Bowling Green, KY

	MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS 1-8, 0-5 CUSA	AT	WKU HILLTOPPERS 7-2, 5-1 CUSA

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BOWLING GREEN, KY — Middle Tennessee heads into the longest-running rivalry in Conference USA on Saturday looking for a win to add a spark to the season, facing Western Kentucky at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

The Blue Raiders (1-8, 0-5 CUSA) have a tall task ahead in facing a WKU team that has won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two schools. MTSU has not won in Bowling Green since 2012.

MTSU quarterback Nicholas Vattiato has passed for 2,150 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, while running back Jekail Middlebrook has added 551 rushing yards and leads all backs nationally with 37 receptions. Defensively, the Blue Raiders are led by leading tackler Parker Hughes and a defensive front that has enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign. End Anthony Bynum and tackles Damonte Smith and Shakai Woods have accounted for 17.5 TFLs.

Western Kentucky (7-2, 5-1 CUSA) enters on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating New Mexico State, 35-16, at home behind quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr.'s four touchdown passes and 301 passing yards. The Hilltoppers' offense is averaging 287.8 yards a game through the air and scoring at a 30.1 points per contest clip. Defensively, WKU is giving up just 22.8 points a game.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

GAME 10

» Saturday, November 15 - 2:32 p.m. CT
» Houchens-Smith Stadium
» Bowling Green, KY

SERIES HISTORY

» The oldest and most played series in Conference USA belongs to Middle Tennessee and WKU. The Hilltoppers own a slim 38-35-1 advantage in a series that began in 1914. WKU has won nine of the last 10 meetings, including six in a row. MTSU's last win in the series came in 2018 when they came away with a 29-10 home win. Overall, MTSU is 14-21 against WKU on the road with their last win coming in 2012.
BLUE RAIDER NOTES

» The WKU game will be the 100th CUSA regular season contest for the Blue Raiders since joining the league in 2013.
» QB Nicholas Vattiato is 8th nationally in completions per game and second in CUSA (behind WKU's McIvor). Vattiato is completing 24.2 passes per game.
» Jekail Middlebrook ranks 27th nationally in all-purpose yards at 108.8 per game.
» In his last six games, Jekail Middlebrook has amassed 734 all-purpose yards for 122.3 yards per game.
» MTSU has started 10 different players along the offensive line this season. That total ranks tied for the most in the country.
» Consecutive Start Leaders: Nick Vattiato: 33; Mateo Guevara: 21
» The Blue Raiders will play in four different time zones this season which ranks tied for the second most nationally (Stanford - 5).
» Among active FBS career leaders in passing yards, Nicholas Vattiato ranks 3rd with 9,674 yards and is only the 7th to reach 9,000 yards. His 918 completions is 2nd most.

LACY ELEVATING HIS PLAY

» Redshirt sophomore receiver Cam'ron Lacy has elevated his play over the last five games for MTSU. During that span, the speedster has 28 receptions for 380 yards and three touchdowns. His season totals are 33 catches for 443 yards so 85% of his production has occured in the last five games. Lacy also has two 100-yard receiving games during that span which are the first two of his career.

MIDDLEBROOK SHOWCASING VERSATILITY

» Sophomore Jekail Middlebrook is enjoying a breakout season for the Blue Raiders and currently ranks third in CUSA in all-purpose yards (27th nationally). Middlebrook has 979 total yards and can become the first MTSU player to reach 1,000 yards since receiver Jaylin Lane in 2022. In fact, he will become the first running back to top 1,000 since I'Tavius Mathers in 2016. Middlebrook owns a team-best 551 rushing yards, 369 receiving yards and 59 punt return yards.

TIPTON ON HOT STREAK

» TE Hunter Tipton, who entered the season with 21 career receptions, has registered 19 in the last four games combined. For the year, Tipton owns a personal-best 29 catches which equals the 16th most nationally by a tight end.

MIDDLEBROOK LEADS NATION

» RB Jekail Middlebrook has become quite the weapon for Nicholas Vattiato in the passing game. The Fayetteville, Ga., native owns 37 receptions to pace all running backs nationally. It's the most grabs in a single-season during his three seasons and gives him 63 for his career. The most catches by a RB in a single-season at MTSU is 66 by I'Tavius Mathers in 2016 and the most in a career is 72 by Jimbo Pearson (1960-64).

JOHNSON RISING UP

» Redshirt junior Reggie Johnson, a JUCO transfer, is quietly having a great year for the Blue Raiders. Johnson leads the team with 3.5 sacks, ranks second with 7.5 TFLs (5.0 have come in the last four games), while also owning four hurries and a forced fumble. Against Jax State recently, Johnson tallied seven tackles, including a sack, 3.0 TFLs and a hurry.

Saturday, Nov. 15 | 2:32 p.m. | Houchens-Smith Stadium (22,113) | Bowling Green, KY

GAME 10

SERIES HISTORY

Players Mentioned

Anthony Bynum

Mateo Guevara

Parker Hughes

Reggie Johnson

Cam'ron Lacy

Jekail Middlebrook

Damonte Smith

Hunter Tipton

Nicholas Vattiato

Shakai Woods

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics