Blue Raiders show fight early, fall at Wisconsin

Saturday, September 6

Madison, WI

3:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Wisconsin

Photo by: Matt Posey/MT Athletic Communications

9/6/2025 8:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score Post-Game Notes 2025 Cumulative Season Stats Photo Gallery

By: @MTAthletics

MADISON, Wis. – Middle Tennessee struck first and hung tough early, but Wisconsin pulled away after halftime in a 42-10 loss Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Jacob Hathaway opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal, and after a Badger surge, Damonte Smith's interception set up Nicholas Vattiato's four-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Tipton that cut the deficit to 14-10 at the break.

Vattiato finished with 197 passing yards and a score, with Nahzae Cox hauling in three catches for 75 yards. Muaaz Byard led the defense with nine tackles.

By the Numbers:
9: Muaaz Byard recorded a career-best nine tackles to lead the Blue Raiders
7: Middle Tennessee tallied seven tackles-for-loss
1: Damonte Smith caught his first career interception, a change in possession that saw the Blue Raiders score on the following drive

Blue Raider Notes:
Offensive Player Notes
#1 | Nahzae Cox | WR | Jr.

His 37-yard catch in the first quarter was his longest since 2023 when he hauled in a 42 yarder for Fresno City College.
Recorded 75 receiving yards on the day, the most of his Division I career.

#11 | Nick Vattiato | QB | r-Jr.

Made his team-leading 26^th straight start today
Finished 20-of-31 for 197 yards with a touchdown

#82 | Hunter Tipton| TE| Sr.

Hauled in his first touchdown pass since 2023 at Northeast Oklahoma A&M and just the second of his collegiate career. Tipton grabbed a 4-yard pass from Vattiato just before the half to bring the Blue Raiders to a 14-10 score.

#50 | Ikani Tuiono | OL | r-Sr.

Made his first Blue Raider start today when he lined up at right guard

Defensive Player Notes
#35 | Muaaz Byard| LB | r-Jr.

Made his second career start today against Wisconsin
Recorded a career-high nine tackles, including 1.5 TFLs, to lead the team against the Badgers

#18 | Kalen Woods | S | r-Jr.

Recorded a career-best four tackles and matched his career high with two solo tackles

#25 | Jackson Lowe| CB | r-Fr.

Made his first collegiate start at right corner for the Blue Raiders at Wisconsin
He finished the game with a career-best five tackles to go with his first TFL

#47 | Chayce Smith | LB | r-So.

Made his Blue Raider debut today against the Badgers
Tallied a career-high three tackles on the day

#92 | Damonte Smith | DT | r-Sr.

Recorded his first career interception late in the second quarter to set the Blue Raiders up at the Wisconsin 12-yard line. MTSU would score two plays later to close the gap at the half.
After collecting 2.5 TFLs against APSU, Smith had 1.5 TFLs in the loss to Wisconsin to give him a team-best 4.0 for the year. Smith entered the 2025 season with 6.0 career TFLs.

Special Teams Player Notes
#99| Jacob Hathaway | PK | Gr.

Attempted and made his first career Blue Raider field goal in the first quarter. Connected on a 27-yard FG to give MTSU an early 3-0 lead.

Up Next
The Blue Raiders (0-2) will continue their road stand, heading next to Nevada next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT on MW.com and over the air on the Blue Raider Network.

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