The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will compete on Liberty Mountain for the third time in program history this Tuesday.
The Flames and Blue Raiders will showdown in Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia on Oct. 17th at 7PM. The game will be broadcast on CBSSN and LFSN Radio (The Journey 88.3 FM).
The Blue Raiders are 2-5 on the season, only two losses away from being eliminated from contention for a bowl game. The Blue Raiders started the season with a 56-7 loss at then #4 Alabama and then went on to lose a close 23-19 matchup at Missouri. Middle Tennessee only has conference play left this season.
The Flames and Blue Raiders’ programs have only played twice before, once in 2021 and once in 1982. Each team has won one matchup. The Flames won in 2021 41-13.
The Blue Raiders finished last season with an 8-5 record and an EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl win against the San Diego State Aztecs. The Blue Raiders won that matchup 25-23.
Head coach Rick Stockstill has been with Middle Tennessee since 2006. Stockstill is 111-108 with the team.
Stockstill started his coaching career in 1983 at Bethune–Cookman as an offensive coordinator. Stockstill coached for Clemson from 1989 to 2002. The Blue Raiders is Stockstill’s first and only head coaching position.
Blue Raiders’ quarterback Nicholas Vattiato is currently ranked 8th in the nation in number of passing yards with 1,824 yards through seven games. For reference, Kaidon Salter is currently ranked 44th. In Conference USA, Vattiato is ranked 1st and Salter is ranked 4th.
The Blue Raiders have averaged 389 yards on offense per game this season. In contrast, the Flames have averaged 479 yards of offense per game. The Blue Raiders’ defense has forced seven turnovers this season, while the Flames have forced seventeen.
Middle Tennessee will test the Liberty secondary as they are a pass-based team. The Blue Raiders average 268 passing yards a game and only 121 rushing yards a game.
Three Players to Watch For
QB #11 – Nicholas Vattiato is a sophomore with the Blue Raiders. He has thrown 258 times for 177 completions, 1,824 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He has also rushed 82 times for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns.
LB #33 – Sam Brumfield has recorded 54 total tackles, 33 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles this season. Brumfield had six tackles and 0.5 sacks last week against Louisiana Tech.
WR #9 – Elijah Metcalf has hauled in 35 receptions for 409 yards and 4 touchdowns. Metcalf is one of three go-to receivers for quarterback Vattiato.
Upcoming Games
Oct. 17 – Middle Tennessee @ Liberty
Nov. 4 – Jacksonville State @ New Mexico State
Nov. 11 – Jacksonville State vs FIU
