Feature Photo by Erin Douglas
Story by Jacob Burgess
Middle Tennessee football (2-5, 1-2 C-USA) defeated Kennesaw State (0-6, 0-2 C-USA) on Tuesday night by a score of 14-5.
MTSU snapped its five-game losing streak snapped facing first-year FBS member Kennesaw State to pick up a second win on the year.
The Blue Raider defense started off the night like it finished against Louisiana Tech last Thursday, giving up two big running plays. However, unlike the La. Tech game, the defense bowed up and held Kennesaw State to a turnover on downs.
“As long as those guys can keep their eyes on the box, it makes everyone else clean,” head coach Derek Mason said. “It was just a mind your business job, guys did their 1/11th, did what they were supposed to do, and it was fun to watch.”
Nick Vattiato and the offense started deep in its own territory. Vattiato handed the ball off to Jekail Middlebrook who was blasted in the backfield for a safety, leading to the Owls’ only points of the half.
The Blue Raiders best drive saw them move the ball on the ground and through the air, with Vattiato having multiple 20-yard-plus completions.
Middle Tennessee’s defensive struggles have included a lack of turnovers, but the first half saw two interceptions. The two first-half picks marked the most turnovers MTSU has forced in a single game.
The second half was a back-and-forth rock fight, with punts a plenty. MTSU receiver Omari Kelly finally broke the scoring drought as he returned a punt 61-yards for a touchdown.
After rough outing against La. Tech, including a fumble and flurry of drops, the junior receiver had to put the past behind him, knowing he didn’t play well and needed to bounce back, Kelly said.
Middle Tennessee’s fourth-quarter offense finally settled in. The injury-riddled offensive line that was wrecked by the Owls’ front early, was able to hold up late.
Vattiato had time to throw in the pocket, leading to a big first down to Kelly. The run game improved with open holes for Middlebrook to get two solid runs. Jaiden Credle also scored on a 29-yard rushing touchdown, but a holding penalty negated it.
The biggest mistakes for MTSU were the special team flags for too many men in the backfield. The referees threw the flag three times on the punt unit. One drive had the flag called twice in a row.
For MTSU, the alignment was the same as it has been for the whole season, but there was some discrepancy on Thursday. The team is just looking for some consistency in the call on its part and the conference’s part, Mason said.
Middle Tennessee travels to Jacksonville State to face the Gamecocks in another mid-week matchup on Oct. 23.
Jacob Burgess is the lead sports reporter for MTSU Sidelines.
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