2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team

The 2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team will represent Middle Tennessee State University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Blue Raiders will play their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and will compete members of Conference USA. They will be led by eighteenth-year head coach Rick Stockstill.

2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
ConferenceConference USA
Record2–6 (1–3 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMitch Stewart (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorScott Shafer (7th season)
Home stadiumJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
(capacity: 31,000)
2023 Conference USA football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Liberty y  6 –0   8 –0  
Jacksonville State*  5 –1   7 –2  
New Mexico State  4 –1   6 –3  
Western Kentucky  2 –2   4 –4  
Louisiana Tech  2 –3   3 –6  
UTEP  2 –3   3 –6  
Middle Tennessee  1 –3   2 –6  
FIU  1 –5   4 –5  
Sam Houston*  0 –5   0 –8  
Championship: December 1, 2023
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
As of October 27, 2023
Rankings from AP Poll

Personnel

Roster
2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football

Quarterbacks

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

Running backs

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

Wide receivers

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

Tight ends

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

Offensive Lineman

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

Linebackers

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

Defensive backs

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

Kicker/Punter

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

Long snappers

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

Legend

  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt
Source and player details, 2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Football Commits (08/07/2023):[1]

Schedule

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

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 26:30 p.m.at No. 4 Alabama*
SECNL 7–56100,077
September 96:00 p.m.at Missouri*
SECN+/ESPN+L 19–2357,645
September 166:00 p.m.Murray State*
ESPN+W 35–1416,605
September 236:00 p.m.Colorado State*
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+L 23–3119,806
September 286:30 p.m.at Western Kentucky
CBSSNL 10–3114,712
October 47:00 p.m.Jacksonville State
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPNUL 30–4513,066
October 106:00 p.m.Louisiana Tech
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
CBSSNW 31–239,602
October 176:00 p.m.at Liberty
CBSSNL 35–4216,354
November 45:00 p.m.at New Mexico State
ESPN+
November 112:30 p.m.FIU
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN Networks
November 181:00 p.m.UTEP
  • Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium
  • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN Networks
November 2511:00 a.m.at Sam Houston
ESPN Networks

Game summaries

@ No. 4 Alabama
See also: 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
Game One – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–0) at No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Blue Raiders 0 0 707
No. 4 Crimson Tide 14 14 141456

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
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Alabama -39.0 Over/Under: 52.0
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:49) ALA – Jalen Milroe 21 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 7–0)
  • (4:15) ALA – Jase McClellan 1 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (3:07) ALA – Jalen Milroe 13 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 21–0)
  • (1:58) ALA – Isaiah Bond 47 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 28–0)
Third quarter
  • (12:54) ALA – Jermaine Burton 48 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 35-0)
  • (10:25) ALA – Amari Niblack 29 Yd pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 42-0)
  • (0:32) MTSU – Bryce Bailey 7 Yd pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin Kick) (Alabama 42-7)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:38) ALA – Tyler Buchner 9 Yd Run (Will Reichard Kick) (Alabama 49–7)
  • (5:58) ALA – Ty Simpson 1 Yd Run (Conor Talty Kick) (Alabama 56–7)
StatisticsMTSUALA
First downs1323
Total yards211431
Rushes/yards26–7840–205
Passing yards133226
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–35–117–24–0
Time of possession30:5729:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Middle Tennessee PassingNicholas Vattiato21–32, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJekail Middlebrook8 carries, 32 yards
ReceivingJaiden Credle4 receptions, 25 yards
Alabama PassingJalen Milroe13–18, 194 YDS, 3 TD
RushingJalen Milroe7 carries, 48 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingIsaiah Bond5 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD

at Missouri
See also: 2023 Missouri Tigers football team
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
Game Two – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0–1) at Missouri Tigers (1–0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Middle Tennessee 0 7 3919
Missouri 3 7 6723

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)
StatisticsMTSUMIZZ
First downs1621
Total yards65–28565–316
Rushes/yards29-7146-112
Passing yards214204
Passing: Comp–Att–Int22-36-014-19-0
Time of possession28:0032:00
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Middle Tennessee PassingNicholas Vattiato22-36, 214 yards, 2 TD
RushingFrank Peasant13 carries, 35 yards
ReceivingElijah Metcalf5 receptions, 70 yards
Missouri PassingBrady Cook14-19, 204 yards, 2 TD
RushingCody Schrader23 carries, 84 yards
ReceivingLuther Burden III8 receptions, 117 yards

at Liberty
See also: 2023 Liberty Flames football team
Game Eight – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-5) at Liberty Flames (6-0) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Middle Tennessee 14 7 14035
Liberty 14 7 14742

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)
StatisticsMTSULIB
First downs2333
Total yards63–42881–541
Rushing yards26–9661–401
Passing yards332140
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–37–212–20–1
Time of possession22:4037:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Middle TennesseePassingNicholas Vattiato24/37, 332 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
RushingJaiden Cradle12 carries, 50 yards
ReceivingZack Dobson2 receptions, 82 yards, TD
LibertyPassingKaidon Salter12/20, 140 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingKaidon Salter16 carries, 160 yards
ReceivingCJ Daniels6 receptions, 71 yards, TD

References
  1. "2023 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football roster". goblueraiders.com.
  2. Joyce, Cecil (January 10, 2023). "MTSU football schedule 2023 opens at Alabama, includes four mid-week games". 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.


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