MTSU football (1-8, 0-5 CUSA) is embarrassed at home 56-30 by the Florida International Panthers (4-5, 2-3 CUSA). The Blue Raiders allow 50 points at home for the first time since 2020, and lose to FIU for the first time in Floyd Stadium since 2011. FIU head coach Willie Simmons began the season as the Blue Raiders’ offensive coordinator then.

Middle Tennessee will hit the road next week for a rivalry matchup with Western Kentucky University (7-2, 5-1 CUSA).

Stay tuned for final stats and post game coverage. 

Q4 0:43- TOUCHDOWN MTSU

Gagliano finds Lacy for a 60-yard touchdown, the first touchdown for Gagliano this year. Gagliano is sacked on the two-point try. Score cuts the lead to 26 as FIU leads 56-30.

Q4 9:15, TOUCHDOWN FIU

Anthony Carrie goes 29 yards to the endzone to continue the blowout of the Blue Raiders in Floyd Stadium. Extra point is good, and the lead is pushed to 56-24.

Q4 11:16- TOUCHDOWN FIU

Owens breaks free for a 32-yard touchdown for the Panthers. FIU’s two-point attempt is no good, but the lead grows to 49-24.

Q4 12:10- Gagliano’s first drive is a four-play drive, ending in a turnover on downs. FIU will take over at the MTSU 33.

Q4 13:30- Backup quarterback Roman Gagliano has entered once again for the Blue Raiders. Looks like Vattiato’s night is over.

Q4 13:35-TOUCHDOWN FIU

Pesansky finds Perry for the pair’s second score of the night on the first play after Blades’ interception. The pass was Pesansky’s fourth touchdown of the game. Two-point conversion is no good, but FIU’s lead grows to 43-24.

Q4 14:26– INTERCEPTION FIU

Vattiato is intercepted by FIU’s Brian Blades II, and will begin its drive at the MTSU 18-yard line. Middle Tennessee’s Jacob Otts is injured on the play and needed help off the field by his teammates.

Q4 14:50- FIELD GOAL FIU

Noah Grant splits the uprights from 33 yards out, the third score of the night gifted to the Panthers from turnovers. FIU has extended its lead to 37-24.

END OF Q3, FIU leads 34-24

The Panthers are inside the red zone, with a second and nine on the MTSU 16-yard line. FIU is seeking a sixth touchdown, and third off of a turnover after the fake punt was overturned upon review. Blue Raider defense has yet to find a stop inside the red zone, and will need one if the MTSU offense has any hope of working back into this in the final 15 minutes.

Q3 0:47- TURNOVER ON DOWNS

After a fake punt pass to De’Arre McDonald from Ashton Logan appeared to be complete and good for a first down, a replay review has overturned it. FIU’s offense will take over on the MTSU 29-yard line.

Blue Raiders tried to keep the punt team on the field to run a play and prevent the review, but Logan came off the field allowing FIU to sub and buy time for a review to be called on the field.

Q3 2:16- TOUCHDOWN FIU

Pesansky finds tight end Dallas Payne for a 30-yard touchdown, marking the third passing touchdown of the day for the FIU signal caller. FIU’s fifth touchdown of the day comes off a four-play, 75-yard drive.

FIU leads 34-24 over MTSU.

Q3 3:12- TOUCHDOWN MTSU

Vattiato finds Myles Butler on a five-yard slant for a score. Hathaway’s extra point is good to cut the FIU lead to 27-24. The score is Butler’s first on the year, and the third on the day for Vattiato.

Tight end Tayvion Galloway caught his first reception of the year for 20 yards, a big chunk of the six-play, 41-yard drive.

Q3 5:55- MTSU’s Jackson Lowe intercepts Pesansky on a one-on-one jump ball. The Blue Raider offense will take over on the FIU 41-yard line.

Q3 10:34- TOUCHDOWN FIU

Pesansky finds Alex Perry for a 20-yard score in the back corner of the endzone. Play comes after FIU ran a nearly identical fade to the back left of the endzone that was caught, but brought back for holding.

FIU goes for two after an offsides call on the initial extra point try, and Pesansky’s pass is incomplete. The Panthers’ lead is extended to 27-17.

HALFTIME- FIU LEADS 21-17

DJ Taylor’s two second-quarter fumbles fueled a 21-point frame for the FIU Panthers. Vattiato is having a good day through the air, with two touchdown passes, including a 48-yarder to Middlebrook. FIU will receive to begin the second half after deferring the opening coin toss.

MTSU stats:

Total yards- 201

Pass yards- 171

Rush yards- 30

Turnovers- 2

Sacks- 2

FIU stats:

Total yards- 157

Pass yards- 123

Rush yards- 34

Turnovers- 1

Sacks- 2

Q2 0:42- FIELD GOAL MTSU

Hathaway is good from 48 yards out, cutting FIU’s lead to 21-17. The field goal was the product of a six-play, 27-yard drive after forcing a Panther three-and-out.

Q2 1:17- MTSU defense forces a three-and-out, fueled by an 11-yard sack by Shakai Woods. Blue Raider offense will take over on its own 43-yard line after the punt.

Q2 1:39- TOUCHDOWN MTSU

Vattiato finds AJ Jones on a drag route from five yards out for a touchdown. Hathaway’s extra point is good to bring the Blue Raiders within seven. FIU leads 21-14.

The score was the second of the year for Jones after picking one up against Delaware.

Q2 2:00- Gagliano scrambles for a 15-yard gain. Vattiato is coming back in after leaving the game for one play.

Q2 2:37- After a hard hit from an FIU defensive lineman, Nick Vattiato is slow to get up. MTSU’s starting QB is being helped off the field and Roman Gagliano is entering for the Blue Raiders.

Q2 4:26- TOUCHDOWN FIU

After the MTSU defense stuffed Pesansky’s attempt from the one-yard line, running back Kejon Owens is able to force his way in for a score. The extra point is good and FIU leads 21-7.

Panthers are once again able to take advantage of Taylor’s turnovers, with a third straight five play touchdown drive.

Q2 7:04- FIU forces yet another fumble from Taylor, as Germaine Carter forces and recovers the fumble. The Panther offense takes over on the MTSU 17. Turnovers deep in Blue Raider territory are handcuffing the offense so far.

Q2 7:17- TOUCHDOWN FIU

Pesansky finds wideout JoJo Stone for a 49-yard passing touchdown to put FIU on top. Extra point by Grant is good to extend the lead to 14-7.

The drive was aided by a roughing the passer penalty called on Shakai Woods, that pushed the Panthers offense from its own 21 to the 36-yard line.

Q2 13:40- TOUCHDOWN FIU

Joe Pesansky scrambles it in from six yards out to get the Panthers on the board. Extra point from Noah Grant is good to tie things up at seven.

FIU takes advantage of Taylor’s fumble, finding the score on a five-play, 28-yard drive.

END OF Q1

Middlebrook’s 48-yard receiving touchdown is the difference through one quarter at Floyd Stadium. The final two minutes of the period included a turnover from each team, with MTSU’s Smith getting an interception, and Chaney recovering Taylor’s fumble for FIU.

The Panthers have the ball on the Blue Raider 13-yard line, facing second and six to begin the second quarter.

Q1 2:12- MTSU’s Korey Smith intercepts Pesansky off a tipped pass. The linebacker’s first career interception sets up Vattiato and the offense on its own 18-yard line.

Q1 3:42- FIU’s Robert Williams sacks Vattiato for a 10-yard loss to force a punt on fourth and 21. A 15-yard facemask by Middlebrook in coverage sets the Panthers up on the MTSU 44.

Q1 7:32- TOUCHDOWN MTSU

Nick Vattiato finds running back Jekail Middlebrook for a 48-yard passing touchdown up the seam. A career-long reception for Middlebrook puts the Blue Raiders up 7-0 after Jacob Hathaway’s extra point is good.

Seven play, 90-yard drive for the Blue Raiders after forcing a punt on FIU’s first drive.

Q1 12:45- FIU’s starting quarterback, Keyone Jenkins, is not with the Panthers on the first drive of the game. Backup Joe Pesansky is in to begin the day at quarterback.

Q1 14:09- FIU forces a three-and-out, while the Blue Raiders try to throw the ball on three straight plays. The Panthers’ offense will take over on their own 30-yard line.

Pregame: FIU has won the toss and elects to defer to the second half. The Blue Raiders will begin the afternoon receiving the opening kickoff.