Blue Raiders host FIU Saturday at 2 PM

Saturday, Nov. 8 \| 2:02 p.m. \| Floyd Stadium (27,303) \| Murfreesboro, TN

	MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS 1-7, 0-4 CUSA	VS	FIU PANTHERS 3-5, 1-3 CUSA

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: LINK \| RADIO: WGNS (LINK)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders return to Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Saturday at 2 p.m. CT to host the FIU Panthers in the 43rd annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game.

MTSU owns a 14-6 all-time advantage over FIU in the series, including a 9-1 mark at home.

The Blue Raiders, who have lost their last three games by a total of eight points, hope to turn things around Saturday as the team enters the final stretch of the season.

The offense is led by veteran quarterback Nicholas Vattiato, who enters this contest ranked third in career passing yards among active NCAA signal-callers. Also providing a spark on the ground and in the passing game is all-purpose threat Jekail Middlebrook, whose versatility gives the Blue Raiders a key weapon.TE Hunter Tipton has 17 catches in the last three games to provide a solid triple threat for MTSU.

On the defensive side of the ball, MTSU will have to focus on corralling another dual threat quarterback in talented Keyone Jenkins. Linebacker Parker Hughes and defensive tackle Damonte Smith lead the way in the front seven and have been key contributors to the Blue Raiders' vastly improved rush defense.

GAME 9

» Saturday, November 8 - 2:02 p.m. CT
» Floyd Stadium
» Murfreesboro, TN

SERIES HISTORY

» The Blue Raiders and Panthers have met 20 times in football with Middle Tennessee holding a 14-6 advantage in the series, which began in 2005. The Blue Raiders have won five of the last six against the Panthers, including six straight at home. The last time MTSU fell to FIU inside Floyd Stadium was 2011.
BLUE RAIDER NOTES

» Over the last three games, MTSU has allowed just 97.3 yards rushing per game (292) and just held Jax State to 133 yards below their average.
» MTSU has started nine different players along the offensive line this season. That matches Georgia, Michigan St., Oregon St., Stanford, South Carolina and Troy for the most in the country.
» MTSU's last four games have been decided by a total of 16 points, while the last three have been decided by 8 total points. Overall, five of the eight games this year have been one score contests.
» Jekail Middlebrook ranks 30th nationally in all-purpose yards at 111.0 per game.
» MT owns just 24 explosive plays of 20 or more yards this season, including a high of 6 against Marshall earlier this year. The Blue Raiders had 44 total in 2024.
» Consecutive Start Leaders: Nick Vattiato: 32; Mateo Guevara: 20
» 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 4th with 9,432 yards and is one of just six to reach 9,000 yards. His 892 completions is 2nd most.

BLUE RAIDERS AT FLOYD

» Since Floyd Stadium opened in 1933, the Blue Raiders have compiled an overall mark of 310-141-13 (.684), including a record 31-game win streak from 1987-94. Since joining the FBS ranks in 1999, the Blue Raiders are 88-55 (.624) overall at Floyd Stadium and 60-32 in conference games (32-16 vs CUSA; 28-16 vs SBC). MT has a 44-26 record at home in its last 70 games.

MTSU-FIU CONNECTIONS

» The Panthers have a number of former Blue Raiders on their 2025 staff. Head Coach Willis Simmons was at MTSU from 2007-11 (last year as the OC), Offensive Coordinator Nick Coleman graduated from MTSU in 2009 and played for the Blue Raiders from 2007-09, and Special Teams Coordinator Kenneth Gilstrap graduated from MTSU in 2013, played from 2009-13 and was a full-time assistant from 2019-22. Assistant AD for Football Operations LaTroy Johnson was at MTSU from 2007-11 as the equipment manager, while Director of Strength and Conditioning Matt Hickmann was at MTSU in the same role from 2018-23. Current FIU starting center Julius Pierce played at MTSU in 2023-24 and got engaged on the field following the game on Nov. 23 last year.

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 (30th nationally). Middlebrook has 884 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 521 rushing yards, 305 passing yards and 58 punt return yards.

TIPTON ON HOT STREAK

» TE Hunter Tipton, who entered the season with 21 career receptions, has registered 17 in the last three games combined. That total is the most by any Blue Raider during that span. For the year, Tipton owns a personal-best 27 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 32 receptions and his 4.0 per game avg. leads all running backs nationally. It's the most grabs in a single-season during his three seasons and gives him 58 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 three games), while also owning three hurries and a forced fumble. Last week against Jax State, Johnson tallied seven tackles, including a sack, 3.0 TFLs and a hurry.

Saturday, Nov. 8 | 2:02 p.m. | Floyd Stadium (27,303) | Murfreesboro, TN

GAME 9

SERIES HISTORY

Players Mentioned

Mateo Guevara

Parker Hughes

Reggie Johnson

Jekail Middlebrook

Julius Pierce

Damonte Smith

Hunter Tipton

Nicholas Vattiato

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics