Final: Delaware 31 MTSU 21

The Blue Raiders’ last-ditch attempt at a comeback falls short as they drop their fourth straight game. MTSU (1-6, 0-3 CUSA) will return to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, next week to take on Jacksonville State University (4-3, 3-0 CUSA) in the team’s final weekday game of the season.

Stay tuned for stats and postgame coverage.

Q4 1:02: Baylen Woodman’s onside kick attempt is unsuccessful. Delaware will kneel this one out.

Q4 1:03 Touchdown: Nick Vattiato finds AJ Jones from six yards out for Jones’ first score as a Blue Raider.

MTSU trails 31-28 with no timeouts. Onside kick incoming.

Q4 2:38 Interception: Muaaz Byard hauls in a tipped pass, and the Blue Raiders will get the ball at their own 11-yard line after an illegal blindside block.

Delaware leads 31-21.

Q4 3:05 Fumble: Nick Vattiato fumbles the ball with no defender around him, and a host of Blue Raiders fail to recover. Delaware takes over on MTSU’s 24-yard line.

The Blue Hens lead 31-21.

Q4 4:44 Delaware punts it back to MTSU with a two-score lead. The Blue Raiders take over on their own 16-yard line.

The Blue Hens lead 31-21.

End Q3: MTSU 21 Delaware 31

The Blue Raiders’ offense pulled within three points and the defense appeared to force a third straight three-and-out, before Abdul Muhammad’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty extended Delaware’s drive and led to a touchdown.

The Blue Hens have the ball at MTSU’s 46-yard line to begin the fourth, leading 31-21.

Q3 1:39: Nick Minicucci throws his fourth touchdown of the game to cap off a nine-play, 75-yard drive aided by Abdul Muhammad’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Minicucci found Kyre Duplessis for the nine-yard score.

Delaware leads 31-21.

Q3 4:33: MTSU’s defense forces a three-and-out, but MTSU cornerback Abdul Muhammad picks up an unsportsmanlike conduct after the play and gives Delaware a first down.

Q3 5:11 Touchdown: A roughing the passer call on third down kept MTSU’s drive alive, and the Blue Raiders scored two plays later. Nick Vattiato rolled out and found Hunter Tipton for an 11-yard touchdown.

Delaware leads 24-21.

Q3 8:22 Interception: Nick Vattiato throws a red zone pick after a promising first drive of the half. Delaware takes over on its own eight-yard line after Kahlil Ali hauls in the tipped pass.

The Blue Hens lead 24-14.

Q3 13:00: MTSU’s defense forces a three-and-out to begin the second half. The Blue Raiders’ offense takes over on its own 10-yard line following the punt.

Halftime: MTSU 14 Delaware 24

After taking an early 14-7 lead thanks to a Viron Ellison Jr. fumble, Middle Tennessee surrendered 17 unanswered points to trail by two scores at the break.

MTSU stat leaders

Nick Vattiato – 10 of 19 for 81 yards and one touchdown

Jekail Middlebrook – seven carries for 48 for and one touchdown

AJ Jones – three catches for 22 yards

Delaware stat leaders

Nick Minicucci – 21 of 30 for 214 yards and three touchdowns

Jo Silver – 10 carries for 43 yards

Kyre Duplessis – six catches for 56 yards and one touchdown

Q2 0:38 Touchdown: Nick Minicucci finds Kyre Duplessis from four yards out to extend the Blue Hens’ lead before the half.

Delaware leads 24-14.

Q2 4:31: MTSU punts it away following a three-and-out. Nick Vattiato was noticeably limping after a shoestring tackle on a third-down scramble.

Q2 6:25 Field Goal: Nate Reed doinks it in from 49 yards out to give the Blue Hens the lead back.

Delaware leads 17-14.

Q2 11:40 Touchdown: Nick Minicucci finds Sean Wilson for a 10-yard score following a 15-yard facemask penalty on MTSU’s Damonte Smith the play prior.

The score is tied at 14-14.

End Q1: MTSU 14 Delaware 7

The Blue Raiders lead after the first quarter, thanks to an early fumble from Delaware’s offense. UD will face a 1st and 10 on the MTSU 48 to begin the second quarter.

Q1: 1:58 Touchdown: MTSU capitalizes on the turnover with a four-yard Jekail Middlebrook touchdown from the wildcat formation.

MTSU leads 14-7.

Q1: 2:49 Fumble: MTSU’s Abdul Muhammad pounces on a Viron Ellison fumble and returns it to the Delaware 17-yard line.

The score is tied at 7-7.

Q1 2:59 Touchdown: Middle Tennessee’s offense strikes back, marching 76 yards in 12 plays for a score. Quarterback Nick Vattiato hit wide receiver Nahzae Cox on a five-yard fade to finish the drive.

The score is tied 7-7.

Q1 8:28 Touchdown: Delaware’s offense marches 89 yards in 10 plays to open the scoring in this one. Nick Minicucci found Sean Wilson for 22 yards to cap off the drive.

Q1 13:42: An 18-yard gain by Nahzae Cox on third down is wiped away following official review. The Blue Hens take over on their own 11-yard line following the MTSU punt.

Pregame: Delaware wins the toss and defers to the second half. MTSU will receive to begin the game.