The MTSU Blue Raiders, in the team’s third SEC contest this season, fell to the Kentucky Wildcats 34–23 on Nov. 17.
The Blue Raiders were successful moving the football, winning the total yards battle 392–324, but an interception returned for a touchdown and a lost fumble on their first two drives led to 14 quick UK points. Middle Tennessee, despite pulling to within eight points in the fourth quarter, couldn’t recover.
MT quarterback Brent Stockstill completed 30 of 33 passes for 293 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His second scoring toss gave him 100 for his career, making him the first Middle Tennessee player to reach the feat and just the 25th in NCAA history. He now has 24 touchdowns this season to go against five interceptions.
Redshirt freshman Chaton Mobley finished with 19 carries for 98 yards and caught five passes for 62 yards and a TD, while junior Ty Lee led the way in the receiving department with seven catches for 85 yards and a score, his fifth game in a row finding the end zone.
MTSU’s regular season will end on Saturday, Nov. 24, with a 2 p.m. kickoff against University of Alabama-Birmingham at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro.
Chaton Mobley
“It’s our final regular season game. UAB comes to town and they’re really good,” said MTSU Head Coach Rick Stockstill. “Defensively, they lead every statistical category in our conference. They’re one of the top defenses in the country. Offensively, they do a good job as well. They protect the ball and manage their offense. We’ve got a big challenge this week and we have to be ready to go.”
UAB comes in with a C-USA record of 7–0 (9–2 overall), having already clinched the C-USA west division.
A Blue Raiders win could send them to the Conference USA Championship Game for a rematch against the Blazers (MTSU, 7-4 overall and 6-1 in C-USA play, needs a win, plus an FIU loss on Nov. 24 in order to make it to the conference championship).
“If you’re still playing for something in week 12, that’s special. You can’t ask for much more having the west division champ coming to our place. It’ll be a competitive game,” Brent Stockstill said. “We just need to focus on finishing drives and scoring touchdowns.
“This season has gone by really fast,” the quarterback added.
For game tickets or more information on MTSU sports, visit goblueraiders.com.