The 2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Derek Mason, the Blue Raiders compiled an overall record of 3–9 with a mark of 2–6 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for eighth at the bottom of the C-USA standings. The team played home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Schedule
Preseason C-USA media poll The Conference USA preseason media poll was released on July 19. The Blue Raiders were predicted to finish fourth in the conference.
Game summaries Tennessee Tech
Statistics TNTCMTSU First downs 21 20 Total yards 341 328 Rushing yards 67 118 Passing yards 274 210 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 27:09 32:51 Team Category Player StatisticsTennessee Tech Passing Jordyn Potts 27/38, 256 yards, 3 TD Rushing Jalen Mitchell 11 rushes, 52 yards Receiving D. J. Linkins 7 receptions, 61 yardsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiao 20/35, 210 yards, TD, INT Rushing Frank Peasant 10 rushes, 49 yards, 2 TD Receiving Omari Kelly 4 receptions, 47 yards
At No. 6 Ole Miss
Statistics MTSUMISS First downs 18 34 Total yards 278 655 Rushing yards 28 258 Passing yards 250 397 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 33:03 26:57
Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/33, 209 yards, INT Rushing Terry Wilkins 7 rushes, 19 yards Receiving Holden Willis 6 receptions, 93 yardsOle Miss Passing Jaxson Dart 25/27, 377 yards, TD Rushing Henry Parrish Jr. 14 rushes, 165 yards, 4 TD Receiving Tre Harris 9 receptions, 130 yards
Western Kentucky (100 Miles of Hate)
Statistics WKUMTSU First downs 30 21 Total yards 631 514 Rushing yards 150 58 Passing yards 481 456 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 31:22 28:38 Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Caden Veltkamp 27/30, 398 yards, 5 TD Rushing L. T. Sanders 8 rushes, 54 yards Receiving Kisean Johnson 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TDMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 24/31, 456 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Nicholas Vattiato 9 rushes, 21 yards Receiving Omari Kelly 9 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TD
Duke
Statistics DUKEMTSU First downs 17 18 Total yards 340 295 Rushing yards 124 168 Passing yards 216 127 Turnovers 1 4 Time of possession 23:45 36:15 Team Category Player StatisticsDuke Passing Maalik Murphy 14/21, 216 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Star Thomas 17 carries, 111 yards, 2 TD Receiving Nicky Dalmolin 4 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TDMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/33, 127 yards, TD, INT Rushing Jaiden Credle 12 carries, 125 yards, TD Receiving Holden Willis 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD
At Memphis
Statistics MTSUMEM First downs 13 22 Total yards 312 413 Rushing yards 29 186 Passing yards 283 227 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 25:51 34:09
Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/31, 283 yards Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 39 yards Receiving Omari Kelly 6 receptions, 174 yardsMemphis Passing Seth Henigan 26/41, 227 yards Rushing Mario Anderson Jr. 18 carries, 118 yards, TD Receiving Roc Taylor 6 receptions, 69 yards
At Louisiana Tech
Statistics MTSULT First downs 17 27 Total yards 336 551 Rushing yards 60 222 Passing yards 276 329 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 25:37 34:23
Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 24/39, 276 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 5 carries, 30 yards Receiving Omari Kelly 8 receptions, 103 yardsLouisiana Tech Passing Evan Bullock 18/25, 290 yards, 5 TD Rushing Omiri Wiggins 8 carries, 49 yards Receiving Tru Edwards 6 receptions, 127 yards, TD
Kennesaw State
Statistics KENNMTSU First downs 10 17 Total yards 234 284 Rushing yards 131 85 Passing yards 103 199 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 29:48 30:12 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Khalib Johnson 5/17, 52 yards, 2 INT Rushing Qua Ashley 11 carries, 79 yards Receiving Carson Kent 4 receptions, 59 yards Middle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 19/34, 199 yards Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 49 yards Receiving Holden Willis 8 receptions, 92 yards
At Jacksonville State
Statistics MTSUJVST First downs 17 30 Total yards 364 575 Rushing yards 67 438 Passing yards 297 137 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 29:56 30:04
Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 25/36, 297 yards, 2 TD Rushing Jaiden Credle 8 carries, 39 yards Receiving Omari Kelly 8 receptions, 128 yardsJacksonville State Passing Tyler Huff 10/18, 137 yards, TD Rushing Tre Stewart 21 carries, 210 yards, TD Receiving Cam Vaughn 4 receptions, 82 yards
At UTEP
Statistics MTSUUTEP First downs 17 20 Total yards 333 305 Rushing yards 94 160 Passing yards 239 145 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 31:26 28:34
Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/35, 239 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 40 yards Receiving Myles Butler 5 receptions, 101 yards, TDUTEP Passing JP Pickles 18/33, 145 yards, INT Rushing Jevon Jackson 21 carries, 83 yards Receiving Jevon Jackson 5 receptions, 33 yards
Liberty
Statistics LIBMTSU First downs 30 19 Total yards 500 351 Rushing yards 339 88 Passing yards 161 263 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 30:23 29:37 Team Category Player StatisticsLiberty Passing Kaidon Salter 11/15, 154 yards, 2 TD Rushing Quinton Cooley 24 carries, 136 yards, TD Receiving Elijah Canion 3 receptions, 54 yardsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 22/33, 263 yards, 2 TD Rushing Jaiden Credle 10 carries, 27 yards Receiving Holden Willis 5 receptions, 81 yards
New Mexico State
Statistics NMSUMTSU First downs 18 25 Total yards 382 447 Rushing yards 145 170 Passing yards 237 277 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 27:16 32:44 Team Category Player StatisticsNew Mexico State Passing Parker Awad 12/16, 221 yards Rushing Seth McGowan 12 carries, 83 yards Receiving Seth McGowan 6 receptions, 96 yards, TDMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 30/45, 277 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 10 carries, 80 yards Receiving Holden Willis 3 receptions, 67 yards, TD
At FIU
Statistics MTSUFIU First downs 17 22 Total yards 377 463 Rushing yards 121 144 Passing yards 256 319 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 26:20 33:40
Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 21/33, 256 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 10 carries, 41 yards, TD Receiving Holden Willis 6 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TDFIU Passing Keyone Jenkins 19/27, 319 yards, 3 TD Rushing Devonte Lyons 15 carries, 101 yards, TD Receiving Eric Rivers 7 receptions, 117 yards, TD
Personnel Roster 2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders FootballQuarterbacks 10 – Luther Richesson – Sophomore (6'3, 217) 11 – Nicholas Vattiato – Junior (6'1, 205) 16 – Roman Gagliano – Freshman (6'3, 224) 18 – Stone Frost – Graduate Student (5'11, 215)
Running backs 0 – Brian Brewton – Senior (5'7, 173) 4 – Terry Wilkins – Senior (5'8, 186) 22 – Jaiden Credle – Junior (6'1, 195) 24 – Frank Peasant – Senior (5'11, 196) 26 – Jayce Gardener – Senior (5'11, 214) 31 – Austin Clemons – Freshman (6'0, 204) 32 – Jekail Middlebrook - Freshman (5'9, 191)
Wide receivers 1 – Omari Kelly – Junior (6'0, 180) 5 – Myles Butler – Junior (6'2, 198) 7 – Sam Driggers – Freshman (5'11, 201) 9 – Hayes Sutton – Graduate Student (6'1, 199) 13 – Javonte Sherman – Junior (6'2, 216) 15 – Josh Evans – Freshman (6'3, 215) 17 – Gamarion Carter – Junior (6'2, 189) 18 – Ethan Crite – Freshman (6'2, 188) 19 – Kellen Stewart – Junior (5'9, 164) 27 – Caleb Dochnahl – Junior (6'1, 201) 28 – Christopher Kaup – Freshman (6'2, 184) 81 – Mitchell Howell – Senior (5'10, 204) 84 – Tyson Resper – Sophomore (5'8, 167) 86 – Cam'ron Lacy – Freshman (5'8, 153) 87 – Elijah Ealey – Junior (5'11, 166)
Tight ends 41 – Slade Alexander – Junior (6'2, 222) 42 – Evan Poticher – Freshman (6'3, 237) 45 – Bobby Council – Freshman (5'11, 234) 46 – Sawyer Lovvorn – Freshman (6'1, 217) 80 – Ryan Hoerstkamp – Graduate Student (6'2, 240) 82 – Taharin Sudderth – Junior (6'2, 239) 83 – Holden Willis – Senior (6'4, 212) 85 – Brody Benke – Freshman (6'4, 249) 88 – Jacob Coleman – Junior (6'3, 230) Offensive Lineman 48 – Nash Stidham – Sophomore (5'10, 210) 55 – Mateo Guevara – Sophomore (6'4, 309) 60 – Ayden Merrihew – Junior (6'4, 280) 61 – Lantz Peoples – Freshman (6'5, 372) 62 – Simon Wilson – Junior (6'1, 317) 63 – Alex Gale – Freshman (6'3, 300) 65 – Julius Pierce – Graduate Student (6'4, 293) 68 – Jason Overton – Freshman (6'2, 285) 70 – Isaac Rue – Freshman (6'6, 307) 71 – Ellis Adams – Graduate Student (6'4, 372) 72 – Morgan Scott – Junior (6'5, 298) 73 – Marcus Miller – Junior (6'4, 299) 74 – Ethan Ellis – Graduate Student (6'6, 309) 75 – Dumela Knox – Junior (6'7, 310) 76 – Shamar Crawford – Sophomore (6'5, 287) 77 – Jaylen Robinson – Sophomore (6'7, 270) 78 – Daniel Gonzalez – Senior (6'5, 289) 79 – Zach Clayton – Freshman (6'5, 296)
Defensive Line 34 – Kedrick Burley – Freshman (6'2, 241) (DE/OLB) 35 – Zeion Simpson-Smith – Freshman (6'1, 235) 40 – Anthony Bynum – Freshman (6'3, 257) 44 – Andy Nwaoko – Senior (6'3, 251) 45 – Ja'Darious Morris – Freshman (6'1, 255) 46 – Reggie Johnson – Junior (6'4, 220) 47 – Tiyyan Robinson – Freshman (6'5, 232) 49 – James Stewart – Junior (6'3, 247) 89 – Brandon Buckner – Junior (6'0, 248) 90 – Chayce Smith – Freshman (6'2, 250) 91 – Felix Hixon – Sophomore (6'3, 302) 92 – Damonte Smith – Junior (6'3, 298) 93 – Aidan Butts – Freshman (6'3, 252) 96 – James Gillespie – Junior (6'3, 295) 98 – Shakai Woods – Freshman (6'1, 292) 99 – Alex Williams – Graduate Student (6'7, 291) Linebackers 8 – Devyn Curtis – Senior (6'2, 235) 9 – Parker Hughes – Junior (6'2, 212) 10 – Drew Francis – Senior (6'3, 228) 12 – Jalen Davis – Graduate Student (5'11, 200) 30 – Caleb Reid – Freshman (6'3, 236) 33 – Malik Love – Freshman (6'4, 207) 36 – Jordan Thompson – Freshman (5'11, 214) 43 – Markel James – Freshman (6'2, 227) 50 – Elijah Carney – Freshman (6'0, 222) 51 – Amarrien Bailey – Freshman (6'0, 212) 52 – Muaaz Byard – Sophomore (6'1, 223) 54 – Nolan Forsha – Junior (6'2, 211) 56 – Jayson Lowe – Sophomore (6'2, 220) 57 – Brady Russell – Freshman (6'0, 220) 58 – Korey Smith – Freshman (6'0, 220) 59 – Jacob Jackson – Senior (5'11, 206)
Defensive backs 2 – De'Arre McDonald – Senior (6'0, 205) 4 – James Monds III – Sophomore (5'11, 185) 6 – Marvae Myers – Graduate Student (6'0, 196) 7 – Brendon Harris – Graduate Student (6'1, 210) 18 – Xavier Williams – Graduate Student (6'2, 205) 21 – Abdul Muhammad – Junior (6'2, 175) 22 – Chris Johnson – Junior (5'10, 188) 24 – Trevon Ferrell – Sophomore (5'10, 178) 25 – Jackson Lowe – Freshman (6'1, 188) 26 – Jared Douglas – Junior (6'1, 181) 27 – Rickey Smith – Junior (6'0, 177) 28 – Da'Shawn Elder – Junior (6'0, 215) 29 – Tyrell Raby – Junior (5'11, 183) 31 – John Howse IV – Junior (6'1, 198) 32 – Alan Young – Freshman (6'0, 209) 33 – Taylor Ratinaud – Freshman (6'0, 190) 39 – Jordan Beasley – Freshman (6'1, 195)
Kicker/Punter 7 – Zeke Rankin – Senior (5'8, 215) (K) 35 – Zach Benedict – Sophomore (6'1, 195) (K) 36 – Wyatt Joyce – Freshman (5'10, 166) (K) 96 – Jacob Taylor – Freshman (5'10, 190) (P) 97 – Grant Chadwick – Freshman (6'4, 190) (P) 99 – Trey Turk – Senior (6'1, 212) (P)
Long snappers 54 – Connor Dougherty – Sophomore (6'3, 253) 67 – Henry Hamlin – Freshman (6'3, 230) 69 – Brody Butler – Senior (6'0, 229)
Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured RedshirtSource and player details, 2024 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Commits (01/14/2025):
References