2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team

2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
Conference	Conference USA
Record	4–8 (3–5 C-USA)
Head coach	Rick Stockstill (18th season);
Offensive coordinator	Mitch Stewart (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Scott Shafer (7th season)
Base defense	Multiple 4–3
Home stadium	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
	Seasons ← 2022 2024 →

The 2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Rick Stockstill in his 18th and final season as head coach, the Blue Raiders compiled an overall record of 4–8 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing fifth in C-USA. The team played home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

2023 Conference USA football standings
v t e
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

Stockstill was fired on November 27, two days after the final game of the season. He finished his 18-year tenure at Middle Tennessee with a record of 113–111. At the time of his firing, Stockstill was the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).^[1]

Schedule

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

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	6:30 p.m.	at No. 4 Alabama*	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	SECN	L 7–56	100,077
September 9	6:00 p.m.	at Missouri*	Faurot Field Columbia, MO	SECN+/ESPN+	L 19–23	57,645
September 16	6:00 p.m.	Murray State*	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	ESPN+	W 35–14	16,605
September 23	6:00 p.m.	Colorado State*	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	ESPN+	L 23–31	19,806
September 28	6:30 p.m.	at Western Kentucky	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY (100 Miles of Hate)	CBSSN	L 10–31	14,712
October 4	7:00 p.m.	Jacksonville State	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	ESPNU	L 30–45	13,066
October 10	6:00 p.m.	Louisiana Tech	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	CBSSN	W 31–23	9,602
October 17	6:00 p.m.	at Liberty	Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA	CBSSN	L 35–42	16,354
November 4	5:00 p.m.	at New Mexico State	Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM	ESPN+	L 7–13	15,727
November 11	2:30 p.m.	FIU	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	ESPN+	W 40–6	11,111
November 18	1:00 p.m.	UTEP	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	ESPN+	W 34–30	9,122
November 25	11:00 a.m.	at Sam Houston	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	L 20–23	5,349
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 1) - Released prior to game All times are in Central time

Game summaries

at No. 4 Alabama

Helmet	Jersey	Pants
Uniform Combination

Game One – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–0) at No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Middle Tennessee	0	0	7	0	7
No. 4 Alabama	14	14	14	14	56

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
Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

(10:49) ALA – Jalen Milroe 21-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:58; Alabama 7-0)
(4:15) ALA – Jase McClellan 1-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 5:06; Alabama 14–0)

Second quarter

(3:07) ALA – Jalen Milroe 13-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 42 yards, 0:35; Alabama 21–0)
(1:58) ALA – Isaiah Bond 47-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 1 play, 47 yards, 0:07; Alabama 28–0)

Third quarter

(12:54) ALA – Jermaine Burton 48-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:06; Alabama 35-0)
(10:25) ALA – Amari Niblack 29-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:41; Alabama 42-0)
(0:32) MTSU – Bryce Bailey 7-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:58; Alabama 42-7)

Fourth quarter

(10:38) ALA – Tyler Buchner 9-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:47; Alabama 49–7)
(5:58) ALA – Ty Simpson 1-yard run (Conor Talty kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 3:17; 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, TD, INT
	Rushing	Jekail Middlebrook	8 carries, 32 yards
	Receiving	Jaiden Credle	4 receptions, 25 yards
Alabama	Passing	Jalen Milroe	13/18, 194 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jalen Milroe	7 carries, 48 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Isaiah Bond	5 receptions, 76 yards, TD

at Missouri

Helmet	Jersey	Pants
Uniform Combination

Game Two – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–1) at Missouri Tigers (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Middle Tennessee	0	7	3	9	19
Missouri	3	7	6	7	23

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

Game Eight – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2–5) at Liberty Flames (6–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Middle Tennessee	14	7	14	0	35
Liberty	14	7	14	7	42

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

at New Mexico State

Game Nine – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2–6) at New Mexico State Aggies (6–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Raiders	0	7	0	0	7
Aggies	0	10	3	0	13

at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny, 79 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 15,727
TV announcers (ESPN+): Adam Young (play-by-play), Danny Knee (analyst) and Tatiana Favela (sideline)

Game information

'First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

NMSU – Ron Tiavaasue 1-yard run (Ethan Albertson kick), 10:17. Aggies 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 6:43.
MTSU – D. J. England-Chisolm 27-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick), 0:48. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 0:54.
NMSU – Ethan Albertson 26-yard field goal, 0:00. Aggies 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 0:48.

Third quarter

NMSU – Ethan Albertson 38-yard field goal, 0:51. Aggies 13–7. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 6:18.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Statistics	MTSU	NMSU
First downs	17	21
Total yards	346	402
Rushing yards	168	182
Passing yards	178	220
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	24:13	35:47

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Middle Tennessee	Passing	Nicholas Vattiato	20/36, 178 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Nicholas Vattiato	18 rushes, 96 yards
	Receiving	Elijah Metcalf	5 receptions, 69 yards
New Mexico State	Passing	Diego Pavia	16/31, 220 yards, INT
	Rushing	Monte Watkins	5 rushes, 68 yards
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	6 receptions, 83 yards

Personnel

Roster

2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football

Quarterbacks

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

Running backs

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

Wide receivers

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

Tight ends

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

Offensive Lineman

53 – Trenton Taylor-Ricker – Freshman (6'4, 265)
54 – Aaron Wood – Freshman (6'5, 271)
55 – Mateo Guevara – Freshman (6'4, 302)
56 – Devin Hayes – Senior (6'6, 284)
61 – J'Shun Bodiford – Junior (6'3, 283)
62 – Simon Wilson – Sophomore (6'1, 316)
63 – Wilson Kelly – Sophomore (6'2, 300)
64 – Jacqui Graham – Senior (6'4, 263)
65 – Julius Pierce – Junior (6'4, 288)
66 – Daniel Gonzalez – Sophomore (6'5, 291)
67 – Cooper Koch – Freshman (6'3, 299)
70 – Isaac Rue – Freshman (6'6, 303)
71 – Luke Marek – Freshman (6'1, 295)
72 – Morgan Scott – Sophomore (6'5, 309)
73 – Connor Farris – Freshman (6'4, 315)
74 – Ethan Ellis – Senior (6'6, 295)
75 – Jamari Williams – 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 – Junior (6'3, 235)
2 – Jorden Starling – Senior (6'5, 272)
5 – Jordan Branch – Senior (6'0, 290)
7 – Zaylin Wood – Junior (6'2, 273)
38 – Zabrien Harden – Sophomore (6'3, 246)
40 – Anthony Bynum – Freshman (6'3, 258)
49 – James Stewart – Sophomore (6'3, 248)
57 – Marley Cook – Junior (6'2, 298)
89 – Brandon Buckner – Sophomore (6'0, 241)
90 – Chayce Smith – Freshman (6'2, 267)
91 – Javon Nelson – Sophomore (6'4, 300)
92 – Damonte Smith – Sophomore (6'3, 284)
93 – Vincent Dinkins – Sophomore (6'1, 286)
94 – Ralph Mency – Junior (6'2, 246)
95 – Tyrece Edwards – Sophomore (6'2, 274)
96 – Kasey Bonds – Freshman (5'8, 263)
97 – Quindarius Dunnigan – Junior (6'4, 256)
98 – Shakai Woods – Freshman (6'1, 270)
99 – Ja'Darious Morris – Freshman (6'1, 250)

Linebackers

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

Defensive backs

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

Kicker/Punter

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

Long snappers

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

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt

Source and player details, 2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Commits (08/07/2023):^[4]

References

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

[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". The Daily News Journal. 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.

[1]