2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team

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2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
ConferenceConference USA
Record4–8 (3–5 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMitch Stewart (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorScott Shafer (7th season)
Base defenseMultiple 4–3
Home stadiumJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 Conference USA football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 25 Liberty y$   8 – 0     13 – 1  
New Mexico State y   7 – 1     10 – 5  
Jacksonville State*   6 – 2     9 – 4  
Western Kentucky   5 – 3     8 – 5  
Middle Tennessee   3 – 5     4 – 8  
UTEP   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Sam Houston*   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Louisiana Tech   2 – 6     3 – 9  
FIU   1 – 7     4 – 8  
Championship: Liberty 49, New Mexico State 35
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Blue Raiders played their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and competed as members of Conference USA. They were led by eighteenth-year head coach Rick Stockstill.

Stockstill was fired on November 27, going 113–111 through 18 seasons as head coach. At the time of his firing Stockstill was the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the FBS.[1]

Schedule[edit]

Middle Tennessee and Conference USA announced the 2023 football schedule on January 10, 2023.[2][3]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 26:30 p.m.at No. 4 Alabama*
SECNL 7–56100,077
September 96:00 p.m.at Missouri*
SECN+/ESPN+L 19–2357,645
September 166:00 p.m.Murray State*
ESPN+W 35–1416,605
September 236:00 p.m.Colorado State*
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+L 23–3119,806
September 286:30 p.m.at Western Kentucky
CBSSNL 10–3114,712
October 47:00 p.m.Jacksonville State
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPNUL 30–4513,066
October 106:00 p.m.Louisiana Tech
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
CBSSNW 31–239,602
October 176:00 p.m.at Liberty
CBSSNL 35–4216,354
November 45:00 p.m.at New Mexico State
ESPN+L 7–1315,727
November 112:30 p.m.FIU
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+W 40–611,111
November 181:00 p.m.UTEP
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+W 34–309,122
November 2511:00 a.m.at Sam Houston
ESPN+L 20–235,349

Game summaries[edit]

@ No. 4 Alabama[edit]

See also: 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
Game One – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–0) at No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Blue Raiders 0 0 707
No. 4 Crimson Tide 14 14 141456

at Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 100,077
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Alabama -39.0 Over/Under: 52.0
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:49) ALA – Jalen Milroe 21 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 7–0)
  • (4:15) ALA – Jase McClellan 1 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (3:07) ALA – Jalen Milroe 13 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 21–0)
  • (1:58) ALA – Isaiah Bond 47 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 28–0)
Third quarter
  • (12:54) ALA – Jermaine Burton 48 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 35-0)
  • (10:25) ALA – Amari Niblack 29 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 42-0)
  • (0:32) MTSU – Bryce Bailey 7 Yd pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin Kick) (Alabama 42-7)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:38) ALA – Tyler Buchner 9 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 49–7)
  • (5:58) ALA – Ty Simpson 1 Yd Run (Conor Talty Kick) (Alabama 56–7)
Statistics MTSU ALA
First downs 13 23
Total yards 211 431
Rushes/yards 26–78 40–205
Passing yards 133 226
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–35–1 17–24–0
Time of possession 30:57 29:03
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21–32, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 8 carries, 32 yards
Receiving Jaiden Credle 4 receptions, 25 yards
Alabama Passing Jalen Milroe 13–18, 194 YDS, 3 TD
Rushing Jalen Milroe 7 carries, 48 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Isaiah Bond 5 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD

at Missouri[edit]

See also: 2023 Missouri Tigers football team
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
Game Two – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–1) at Missouri Tigers (1–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Middle Tennessee 0 7 3919
Missouri 3 7 6723

at Faurot Field • Columbia, Missouri

  • Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 57,645
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Neely (play-by-play) and Barrett Brooks (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (5:21) MIZZ – Harrison Mevis 38-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 3:58; Missouri 3-0)
Second quarter
  • (8:14) MTSU – Kalani Norris 3-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 7:17; Middle Tennessee 7-3)
  • (0:24) MIZZ – Brady Cook 1-yard run (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 16 plays, 71 yards, 7:45; Missouri 10-7)
Third quarter
  • (8:39) MTSU – Zeke Rankin 25-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 6:21; Tied 10-10)
  • (4:58) MIZZ – Theo Wease Jr. 5-yard pass from Brady Cook (Harrison Mevis kick failed) (Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:35; Missouri 16-10)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:53) MIZZ – Nathaniel Peat 49-yard pass from Brady Cook (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 2:39; Missouri 23-10)
  • (6:57) MTSU – Justin Olson 13-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 3:30; Missouri 23-17)
  • (6:07) MTSU – Team Safety (Missouri 23-19)
Statistics MTSU MIZZ
First downs 16 21
Total yards 65–285 65–316
Rushes/yards 29-71 46-112
Passing yards 214 204
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 22-36-0 14-19-0
Time of possession 28:00 32:00
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 22-36, 214 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Frank Peasant 13 carries, 35 yards
Receiving Elijah Metcalf 5 receptions, 70 yards
Missouri Passing Brady Cook 14-19, 204 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Cody Schrader 23 carries, 84 yards
Receiving Luther Burden III 8 receptions, 117 yards

at Liberty[edit]

See also: 2023 Liberty Flames football team
Game Eight – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-5) at Liberty Flames (6-0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Middle Tennessee 14 7 14035
Liberty 14 7 14742

at Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, Virginia

  • Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 16,354
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn (play-by-play) and Brock Vereen (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:36) MTSU – DJ Riles 3-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:04; Middle Tennessee 7-0)
  • (8:37) LIB – Quinton Cooley 5-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:59; Tied 7-7)
  • (6:43) MTSU – Elijah Metcalf 20-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:54; Middle Tennessee 14-7)
  • (0:49) LIB – Quinton Cooley 9-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 97 yards, 5:49; Tied 14-14)
Second quarter
  • (8:29) LIB – Billy Lucas 1-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:47; Liberty 21-14)
  • (0:20) MTSU – Zack Dobson 2-yard run (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:00; Tied 21-21)
Third quarter
  • (12:43) MTSU – DJ England-Chisholm 36-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 47 yards, 0:21; Middle Tennessee 28-21)
  • (6:41) LIB – Bentley Hanshaw 23-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:56; Tied 28-28)
  • (6:10) MTSU – Zack Dobson 72-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:31; Middle Tennessee 35-28)
  • (2:50) LIB – Quinton Cooley 10-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:12; Tied 35-35)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:37) LIB – CJ Daniels 37-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:15; Liberty 42-35)
Statistics MTSU LIB
First downs 23 33
Total yards 63–428 81–541
Rushing yards 26–96 61–401
Passing yards 332 140
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–37–2 12–20–1
Time of possession 22:40 37:20
Team Category Player Statistics
Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 24/37, 332 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jaiden Cradle 12 carries, 50 yards
Receiving Zack Dobson 2 receptions, 82 yards, TD
Liberty Passing Kaidon Salter 12/20, 140 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Kaidon Salter 16 carries, 160 yards
Receiving CJ Daniels 6 receptions, 71 yards, TD

Personnel[edit]

Roster[edit]

2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football

Quarterbacks

  • 4 – Kyle Lowe – Redshirt Freshman (5'11, 198)
  • 5 – DJ Riles – Redshirt Freshman (6'0, 193)
  • 10 – Jakson Judge – Freshman (6'1, 198)
  • 11 – Nicholas Vittiato – Redshirt Sophomore (6'1, 196)
  • 12 – Sam Driggers – Freshman (5'11, 205)
  • 16 – Ren Hefley – Redshirt Junior (6'1, 192)
  • 18 – Stone Frost – Redshirt Junior (5'11, 207)

Running backs

  • 19 – A'Varius Sparrow – Redshirt Sophomore (5'10, 190)
  • 22 – Jaiden Credle – Sophomore (6'1, 193)
  • 23 – Jalen Montgomery – Redshirt Sophomore (5'9, 168)
  • 24 – Frank Peasant – Junior (5'11, 196)
  • 26 – Jayce Gardener – Redshirt Junior (5'11, 210)
  • 30 – Jordan Brown – Redshirt Sophomore (5'10, 200)
  • 32 – Jakail Middlebrook - Freshman (5'9, 186)
  • 34 – Romal Webb Jr. – Junior (5'9, 202)
  • 39 – Terry Wilkins – Redshirt Sophomore (5'8, 187)
  • 45 – Raymond Banner – Redshirt Sophomore (6'0, 182)

Wide receivers

  • 3 – DJ England-Chisolm – Senior (5'8, 152)
  • 9 – Elijah Metcalf – Redshirt Sophomore (5'9, 164)
  • 13 – Javonte Sherman – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 189)
  • 15 – Justin Olson – Redshirt Junior (6'2, 205)
  • 17 – Kalani Norris – Redshirt Junior (6'0, 162)
  • 18 – Tyson Resper – Redshirt Freshman (5'8, 165)
  • 25 – Bryce Bailey – Redshirt Sophomore (5'10, 168)
  • 47 – Jamison Greenway – Redshirt Junior (5'9, 172)
  • 78 – Trevon Ferrell – Redshirt Freshman (5'10, 170)
  • 80 – AJ Toney – Senior (5'6, 177)
  • 81 – Mitchell Howell – Redshirt Sophomore (5'10, 196)
  • 83 – Holden Willis – Junior (6'4, 211)
  • 84 – Ethan Crite – Freshman (6'2, 177)
  • 85 – Jaylen Ward – Redshirt Freshman (6'1, 202)
  • 86 – Cam'ron Lacy – Freshman (5'8, 154)
  • 87 – Braxton Crouse – Redshirt Junior (6'1, 177)
  • 87 – Kellen Stewart – Redshirt Sophomore (5'9, 152)
  • 89 – Elijah Ealey – Redshirt Sophomore (5'11, 170)

Tight ends

  • 6 – Jeremy Tate Jr – Redshirt Senior (6'5, 259)
  • 48 – Caden Williams – Redshirt Sophomore (6'0, 235)
  • 82 – Taharin Sudderth – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 88 – Jacob Coleman – Redshirt Sophomore (6'3, 228)
  

Offensive Lineman

  • 53 – Trenton Taylor-Ricker – Redshirt Freshman (6'4, 265)
  • 54 – Aaron Wood – Freshman (6'5, 271)
  • 55 – Mateo Guevara – Redshirt Freshman (6'4, 302)
  • 56 – Devin Hayes – Redshirt Senior (6'6, 284)
  • 61 – J'Shun Bodiford – Redshirt Junior (6'3, 283)
  • 62 – Simon Wilson – Redshirt Sophomore (6'1, 316)
  • 63 – Wilson Kelly – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 300)
  • 64 – Jacqui Graham – Redshirt Senior (6'4, 263)
  • 65 – Julius Pierce – Redshirt Junior (6'4, 288)
  • 66 – Daniel Gonzalez – Sophomore (6'5, 291)
  • 67 – Cooper Koch – Redshirt Freshman (6'3, 299)
  • 70 – Isaac Rue – Freshman (6'6, 303)
  • 71 – Luke Marek – Freshman (6'1, 295)
  • 72 – Morgan Scott – Redshirt Sophomore (6'5, 309)
  • 73 – Connor Farris – Freshman (6'4, 315)
  • 74 – Ethan Ellis – Senior (6'6, 295)
  • 75 – Jamari Williams – Redshirt Junior (6'3 317)
  • 76 – Ryan Hunt – Freshman (6'1, 280)
  • 77 – Keylan Rutledge – Sophomore (6'4, 308)
  • 79 – Sterling Porcher – Junior (6'4, 304)

Defensive Line

  • 0 – Richard Kinley – Redshirt Junior (6'3, 235)
  • 2 – Jorden Starling – Redshirt Senior (6'5, 272)
  • 5 – Jordan Branch – Redshirt Senior (6'0, 290)
  • 7 – Zaylin Wood – Redshirt Junior (6'2, 273)
  • 38 – Zabrien Harden – Redshirt Sophomore (6'3, 246)
  • 40 – Anthony Bynum – Freshman (6'3, 258)
  • 49 – James Steward – Redshirt Sophomore (6'3, 248)
  • 57 – Marley Cook – Redshirt Junior (6'2, 298)
  • 89 – Brandon Buckner – Redshirt Sophomore (6'0, 241)
  • 90 – Chayce Smith – Freshman (6'2, 267)
  • 91 – Javon Nelson – Redshirt Sophomore (6'4, 300)
  • 92 – Damonte Smith – Redshirt Sophomore (6'3, 284)
  • 93 – Vincent Dinkins – Redshirt Sophomore (6'1, 286)
  • 94 – Ralph Mency – Junior (6'2, 246)
  • 95 – Tyrece Edwards – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 274)
  • 96 – Kasey Bonds – Redshirt Freshman (5'8, 263)
  • 97 – Quindarius Dunnigan – Redshirt Junior (6'4, 256)
  • 98 – Shakai Woods – Freshman (6'1, 270)
  • 99 – Ja'Darious Morris – Freshman (6'1, 250)
  

Linebackers

  • 4 – Johnathan Butler – Redshirt Senior (6'1, 223)
  • 8 – Devyn Curtis – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 235)
  • 10 – Drew Francis – Junior (6'3, 222)
  • 12 – Jalen Davis – Redshirt Junior (5'11, 200)
  • 18 – James Douglas – Redshirt Sophomore (6'1, 204)
  • 21 – Parker Hughes – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 210)
  • 32 – Slade Alexander – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 33 – Sam Brumfield – Junior (5'11, 226)
  • 36 – Jordan Thompson – Freshman (5'11, 209)
  • 41 – Raquon Hartley – Redshirt Junior (6'1, 192)
  • 42 – Da'Shawn Elder – Redshirt Sophomore (6'0, 218)
  • 43 – Markel James – Freshman (6'2, 217)
  • 44 – Jalen Rayam – Redshirt Senior (6'1, 219)
  • 50 – Timar Rogers – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 214)
  • 51 – Nash Stidham – Redshirt Freshman (5'10, 207)
  • 52 – Muaaz Byard – Redshirt Freshman (6'1, 238)
  • 58 – Dylan Kling – Redshirt Freshman (6'0, 200)
  • 59 – Jacob Jackson – Redshirt Junior (5'11, 203)

Defensive backs

  • 1 – Teldrick Ross – Redshirt Senior (5'11, 194)
  • 17 – Tra Fluellen – Senior (6'2, 210)
  • 22 – Chris Johnson – Redshirt Sophomore (5'10, 183)
  • 23 – Jalen Jackson – Redshirt Junior (6'2, 177)
  • 25 – Tylus Hancock – Senior (6'2, 203)
  • 26 – Emmanuel Mann – Junior (6'0, 179)
  • 27 – Rickey Smith – Redshirt Sophomore (6'0, 170)
  • 28 – De'Arre McDonald – Redshirt Sophomore (6'0, 208)
  • 29 – Tyrell Raby – Redshirt Sophomore (5'11, 173)
  • 30 – Jakobe Thomas – Redshirt Sophomore (6'2, 190)
  • 31 – Deonte Stanley – Redshirt Junior (6'3, 194)
  • 35 – James Jackson III – Freshman (6'0, 161)
  • 37 – James Shellman IV – Junior (6'0, 190)
  • 46 – Marvae Myers – Redshirt Junior (6'0, 188)

Kicker/Punter

  • 7 – Zeke Rankin – Junior (5'8, 200) (K)
  • 24 – Scott Payne – Redshirt Junior (5'10, 177) (K)
  • 36 – Justus Chadwick – Redshirt Freshman (6'0, 191) (K)
  • 38 – Miles Tillman – Redshirt Sophomore (5'11, 207) (P)
  • 99 – Trey Turk – Junior (6'1, 204) (P)

Long snappers

  • 54 – Connor Dougherty – Redshirt Freshman (6'3, 257)
  • 69 – Brody Butler – Junior (5'11, 220)

Legend

  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt
Source and player details, 2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Commits (08/07/2023):[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (November 27, 2023). "Middle Tennessee fires coach Rick Stockstill after 18 seasons". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Joyce, Cecil (January 10, 2023). "MTSU football schedule 2023 opens at Alabama, includes four mid-week games". Murfreesboro Daily News Journal. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  3. ^ MT Athletic Communications (January 10, 2023). "MTSU football to play six home games in 2023". Murfreesboro Post. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football roster". goblueraiders.com.


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