Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
1-8 , 0-5
Florida International University
4-5 , 2-3
Blue Raiders Fall at Home to FIU
11/8/2025 6:09:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee showed flashes on offense throughout the afternoon, but FIU capitalized on key swings of momentum to hand the Blue Raiders a 56-30 loss Saturday at Floyd Stadium.
MTSU (1-8, 0-5 CUSA) struck first with a 48-yard touchdown connection from Nicholas Vattiato to Jekail Middlebrook, capping a 90-yard drive. Despite FIU's three-touchdown surge in the second quarter, the Blue Raiders responded with an eight-play, 65-yard scoring march and a 48-yard Jacob Hathaway field goal to pull within 21-17 before halftime.
Vattiato threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns, while Cam'ron Lacy delivered a career day with 108 receiving yards. Middlebrook added 64 receiving yards and a touchdown as part of his 95 all-purpose yards. Backup quarterback Roman Gagliano provided a late highlight with a 60-yard touchdown strike to Lacy in the closing minute.
Defensively, Korey Smith and Jackson Lowe each recorded interceptions, and Shakai Woods led the charge up front with a sack and tackle for loss.
The Blue Raiders outgained FIU through the air (331–257) and held a slight edge in time of possession, but six combined turnovers proved costly as the Panthers (4-5, 2-3) pulled away in the second half.
By the Numbers
108: Cam'ron Lacy posted 108 receiving yards, his second 100-yard game of the season, highlighted by a 60-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
331: Middle Tennessee threw for 331 passing yards, outgaining FIU through the air behind Nicholas Vattiato and Roman Gagliano.
2: The Blue Raiders' defense recorded two interceptions, with picks by Korey Smith and Jackson Lowe.
Thoughts from Head Coach Derek Mason
Up Next
The Blue Raiders travel to Bowling Green, Ky. to take on WKU on Saturday, Nov. 15. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+ 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
FIU 0, MTS 7
MTS - Middlebrook,Jekail 48 yd pass from Vattiato,Nicholas (Hathaway,Jacob kick) 7 plays, 90 yards, TOP 02:51
FIU 7, MTS 7
FIU - Pesansky,Joe 6 yd run (Grant,Noah kick), 5 plays, 28 yards, TOP 02:14
FIU 14, MTS 7
FIU - Stone,JoJo 49 yd pass from Pesansky,Joe (Grant,Noah kick) 5 plays, 90 yards, TOP 01:55
FIU 21, MTS 7
FIU - Owens,Kejon 1 yd run (Grant,Noah kick), 5 plays, 17 yards, TOP 02:38
FIU 21, MTS 14
MTS - Jones,AJ 5 yd pass from Vattiato,Nicholas (Hathaway,Jacob kick) 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:47
FIU 21, MTS 17
MTS - Hathaway,Jacob 48 yd field goal 6 plays, 27 yards, TOP 00:35
FIU 27, MTS 17
FIU - Perry,Alex 20 yd pass from Pesansky,Joe () 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:26
FIU 27, MTS 24
MTS - Butler,Myles 5 yd pass from Vattiato,Nicholas (Hathaway,Jacob kick) 6 plays, 41 yards, TOP 02:43
FIU 34, MTS 24
FIU - Payne,Dallas 30 yd pass from Pesansky,Joe (Grant,Noah kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:56
FIU 37, MTS 24
FIU - Grant,Noah 33 yd field goal 6 plays, 13 yards, TOP 01:03
FIU 43, MTS 24
FIU - Perry,Alex 18 yd pass from Pesansky,Joe () 2 plays, 18 yards, TOP 00:51
FIU 49, MTS 24
FIU - Owens,Kejon 32 yd run (), 2 plays, 33 yards, TOP 00:54
FIU 56, MTS 24
FIU - Carrie,Anthony 29 yd run (Grant,Noah kick), 3 plays, 47 yards, TOP 01:28
FIU 56, MTS 30
MTS - Lacy,Cam'ron 60 yd pass from Gagliano,Roman () 1 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:10
