FINAL, KSU 24 MTSU 16

KENNESAW, Georgia- Middle Tennessee (1-4, 0-1 CUSA) fell on the road to the Kennesaw State Owls (3-2, 1-0 CUSA). Redzone struggles for the offense, combined with two late fourth and long situations, derailed the Blue Raiders’ comeback attempt. MTSU will have its bye week, and will take on CUSA opponent Missouri State on Oct. 8 in Floyd Stadium.

Check back for more coverage postgame.

Q4 1:44,Turnover on downs

MTSU is stopped on 4th & 12 as a pass intended for Cox was broken up. KSU’s offense will come out to its own 38-yard line while MTSU has one timeout remaining.

Q4 2:44, Punt

MTSU forces a three-and-out drive by KSU, with backup quarterback Tommy Ulatowski in for Odom. Blue Raider offense will trot out at its own 46-yard line, trailing the Owls 24-16.

Q4 3:54, Turnover on downs

MTSU turns it over on 4th & goal from the KSU 11-yard line on an incomplete pass intended for AJ Jones. The drive was bolstered by a fake punt from MTSU’s 49-yard line on 4th & 7, with punter Ashton Logan completing a shovel pass to Cam’ron Lacy for 27 yards.

KSU will take over on its own 11 coming out of a media timeout.

Q4 10:43 Field Goal

KSU’s Britton Williams is good from 39 yards out to give the Owls a 24-16 lead, capping off a 10 play, 54-yard drive.

Q4 14:56 Touchdown

Jekail Middlebrook punches it in for the Blue Raiders from nine yards out, bringing it to a one-score game for the first time since the first quarter. The rush was Middlebrook’s second score of the day.

MTSU elects to go for two, and is no good after an incomplete pass from Vattiato. KSU leads 21-16.

END Q3: KSU 21, MTSU 10

The two sides trade three punts in a scoreless third quarter with both defenses settling in after halftime. The Blue Raiders are driving in KSU territory, with the ball on the Owls’ nine-yard line.

Q3 8:10

MTSU and KSU trade punts to begin the second half. Ashton Logan sends it out through the back of the end zone, and the Owls offense will trot out at its own 20-yard line. MTSU trails KSU 21-10.

HALFTIME: KSU 21, MTSU 10

The Blue Raiders head to the locker room down two possessions after a rough first quarter, including three Owls touchdowns. MTSU’s offense started to show signs of life in the second quarter, including a score on the ground from Jekail Middlebrook and a march deep into KSU territory before Vattiato was intercepted. Kennesaw will receive to begin the second half.

MTSU stats

Total yards- 237

Pass yards- 132

Rush yards- 105

Turnovers- 2

Sacks-0

KSU stats

Total yards-239

Pass yards-127

Rush yards-112

Turnovers- 1

Sacks- 1

Q2 0:18 Interception 

With 3rd & Goal from the KSU 2-yard line, Vattiato is intercepted by Five Hamilton while under heavy pressure from the KSU front. MTSU trails 21-10.

Q2 1:48 Missed Field Goal

KSU’s Daniel Kinney is wide left from 47 yards out, giving the Blue Raider offense the ball on its own 29-yard line. MTSU trails KSU 21-10.

Q2 4:17, Touchdown MTSU

The Blue Raiders convert on a 4th & 4 after Vattiato pitches to Jekail Middlebrook on a speed option for a 10-yard score. Middle Tennessee trails 21-10, but was able to capitalize on the turnover created by Carlisle.

Q2 8:30, Fumble recovered by MTSU

The Blue Raiders force a turnover of their own after Devan Carlisle forces KSU running back Alexander Diggs to fumble. Carlisle recovers the ball for MTSU and its offense will set up at the Kennesaw 40-yard line.

END Q1: KSU 21, MTSU 3

After forcing a turnover on Middle Tennessee’s opening drive of the game, Kennesaw’s offense has started hot, finding the endzone three times. The Blue Raiders have marched into KSU territory once, leading to a field goal by Hathaway.

MTSU’s offense will be set up with a 1st & 10 after a 12-yard rush by Murfreesboro native DJ Taylor on his first collegiate carry to end the quarter.

Q1 0:11, Touchdown Kennesaw

KSU’s Odom finds reciever Gabriel Benyard in the endzone for a 29-yard touchdown, the third of the opening quarter for Kennesaw. The scoring play was set up by a 30-yard rush by Coleman Bennett.

Extra point is good and KSU leads MTSU 21-3.

Q1 3:43, Field Goal

Jacob Hathaway sneaks a 34-yard field goal in off the right post to put MTSU on the board. Blue Raiders trail 14-3 after a nine-play, 59-yard drive. The possession was aided by a 15-yard face mask penalty against KSU, along with a 25-yard completion from Nick Vattiato to Nahzae Cox.

Q1 9:06 Touchdown KSU

Kennesaw’s quarterback Amari Odom diced apart the MTSU defense in a five-play, 87-yard drive. The drive ends with a 53-yard pass from Odom to Chase Belcher. The extra point is good for the Owls to take a 14-0 lead over Middle Tennessee.

Q1 13:25, 7-0 Kennesaw State

The Owls take the lead in three plays, finding paydirt on a flea flicker with wide reciever Christian Moss finding tight end Gerard Bullock. Extra point is good and the Blue Raiders will line up to return a kickoff for the second time in less than two minutes of game play.

Q1 14:04

On a 2nd &10 from its own 25-yard line, MTSU running back Jekail Middlebrook fumbled, and it was recovered by Kennesaw State.

The Owls offense will take over on the MTSU 30-yard line.

Pregame: Kennesaw State wins the toss and defers. The Blue Raiders will receive to start the game.