I’Tavius Mathers

The MTSU Blue Raiders traveled to Miami on Saturday, Oct. 29, and what quickly looked to be a blowout victory for the MTSU turned out to be a nail-biter.

The Raiders scored three touchdowns before six minutes had expired off the clock. The first two were touchdown passes of 26 and 19 yards to Ty Lee, and the third was a nine-yard run by I’Tavius Mathers. The defense forced FIU into two three-and-out possessions in that duration to give MT the 21–0 advantage.

However, the Panthers would not go away easily. They answered back with a touchdown on each of their next two possessions while stifling the once-surging Blue Raider offense on their next three.

Middle got back on the board with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Richie James after the defense forced FIU quarterback Alex McGough to fumble, but the Panthers quickly answered back to score the last touchdown of the half.

The second half opened as a defensive struggle with no one scoring in the third quarter, but McGough threw a touchdown pass early in the fourth to tie the game at 28 at apiece.

Richie James. Photos courtesy goblueraiders.com.

The Blue Raiders responded quickly as Brent Stockstill hit James for a 52-yard touchdown pass in a possession that lasted only 47 seconds. However, the Panthers answered back with a 13-play drive that ate more than six minutes off the clock to knot things back up.

Things started looking bleak for Middle Tennessee. Despite a promising start to the drive, the Blue Raider offense found themselves in a 3rd-and-5 situation at the FIU 24. To make matters worse, MT was called for a 15-yard illegal blocking penalty to push them out of field goal range. FIU got the ball on their own 20 with plenty of time to take the lead.

But D.J. Sanders would not allow it.

After FIU running back Alex Gardner broke out for a 22-yard run, the Panthers went to the air. However, it was Sanders who came down with the pass and ran it 48 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

D.J. Sanders

Sanders received Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors for his big play. He also recorded seven tackles and a sack on the day.

Stockstill received Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 318 yards and four touchdowns. He came into the game tied with Logan Kilgore for most career touchdown passes at MTSU, and now holds that honor all to himself.

“To be honest, I wasn’t even paying attention to (the record). It feels like yesterday I was throwing my first career touchdown to Lucas Hamilton, who’s now an offensive lineman, and then they all add up after that. I haven’t thought about it too much as I’ve gone on. As I said, it’s very humbling, but it’s not something I’ll look back on too much,” Stockstill said of his most recent milestone.

Brent Stockstill

It is the second time this season that Blue Raiders have been named as offensive and defensive players of the week in the same week. I’Tavious Mathers and Shaq Huff received the honor together after the Bowling Green game.

Stockstill was not the only player setting a milestone, however. Mathers became the first 1,000-yard rusher under coach Rick Stockstill on his way to 126 yards rushing against FIU.

When asked if this makes Mathers the best running back he has coached, Coach Stock replied, “We’ve had some really good backs. I’Tavius is really good. I think when you say he’s the best right now, he hasn’t finished out this year. Let him finish out this year, but he’s really good. He’s a special person. He loves this team and loves this school, and he has only been here a year-and-a-half. I have a lot of respect for I’Tavius as a man and as a player. He’s having a really good year. I’m glad he is here. He’s really special.”

The win makes MTSU bowl eligible once again. This marks the fifth year in a row the team has been bowl eligible, but the team will have to continue building their already impressive resume to ensure they receive a bid.

They will do that this week as they return to Floyd Stadium to clash with UTSA.

The Roadrunners finished only 3–9 last season, but with a new head coach in place they have gotten off to a much better start. They now sit at 4–4, but they could easily be 6–2. UTSA lost to Arizona State by only four points, and UTEP bested them by only three points. The Roadrunners also gave Southern Miss their only conference loss in a dominating 55–32 victory.

The Roadrunners feature a two-headed rushing attack. Jarveon Williams and Jalen Rhodes have nearly split carries in half, with Rhodes average nearly six yards per carry and Williams averaging 4.2. The two are threats in the passing game, as well, as each is averaging more than 10 yards per catch. Not to mention that quarterback Dalton Sturm is a threat to run out of the backfield as well.

“I remember watching them last year, and they were good last year. This year, they’re even better. They’re more of a two-headed monster, so we’ll have to focus on reading our keys because they’re going to run the ball hard,” said Sanders.

The Roadrunners also have one of the most athletic defenses in the conference. They currently rank second in the C-USA in scoring defense, and fifth in total defense.

That defense is lead by freshman linebacker Josiah Tauaefa. Tauaefa channeled his inner Troy Polamalu last week as he perfectly timed the snap and leapt of the offensive line for a sack. He ranks fifth in the conference with 79 tackles, and his four sacks are good enough for second in C-USA.

The Blue Raiders will look to add another win to their resume Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Join them at Floyd Stadium for all the action.