Featured Photo by Paige Mast
Story by Jacob Burgess
Middle Tennessee (1-3) extended its losing skid, falling to Duke (4-0) by a score of 45-17 on homecoming weekend.
The Blue Raiders, coming off a loss to rival Western Kentucky, began the game with a promising drive but struggled to get out of its own side of the field.
MTSU’s first drive took three plays and just over a minute off the clock. Junior running back Jaiden Credle scored on a 66-yard run off a delayed handoff.
“We called one of my favorite plays, run to the left side just being able to see what type of defense they was in,” Credle said. “My speed let it do it all and end up in the endzone.”
Last week against WKU, MTSU failed mightily in the red zone. Against Duke, the Blue Raiders faced the opposite problem. This time they struggled to advance the ball past the opposition’s 30.
Following the Credle touchdown, Middle Tennessee had three of its next four drives cut short due to fumbles, giving Duke fantastic field position within 30 yards of the endzone each time.
The Blue Raiders must defend better and attack the ball more whether it’s the quarterback, or a runner who has it, head coach Derek Mason said.
“I saw some good signs right but just not enough yet and that’s ok,” Mason said. “We are getting there and once they get it this group is not going to shake it off, they are going to continue to smell blood in the water, just not there yet.”
Duke made easy work with those fumbles scoring touchdowns off of all three first quarter turnovers.
A 2024 Middle Tennessee home game wouldn’t be complete without a severe weather delay. The third quarter stoppage lasted one hour and 41 minutes.
We have no control over it but I’m tired of them (weather delays) and I know the fans are too, but we have to play better, Mason said.
Duke resumed play by punting out of its own endzone. MTSU came out of the delay hot, scoring a touchdown on the first drive.
Quarterback Nick Vattiato found a wide-open tight end Holden Willis across the field in the corner of the endzone.
The weather delay magic wouldn’t be enough to fuel a comeback. It only lasted one drive as MTSU fell back into its first-half woes of getting stuck in the minus side of the field. Vattiato attempted a pass into double coverage, resulting in an interception.
Duke capitalized on the short drive just like the three previous drives in the first half.
With the game firmly out of reach, MTSU turned to freshman quarterback Roman Gagliano to avoid further injury to a rattled Vattiato.
MTSU will head to West Tennessee next weekend to face in-state opponent Memphis (3-1). The game will be the first of a two-game road trip for the Blue Raiders with a bye week sandwiched in between.
Jacob Burgess is the lead sports reporter for MTSU Sidelines
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