TAKEAWAYS: MTSU get first conference and FBS win of the season, down LA Tech 31-23

Blue Raiders offense shines in the first half

A big reason the Blue Raiders snapped their three-game losing streak was the performance of the offense. In just the first half, they racked up 193 yards of total offense led by quarterback Nicholas Vattiato. Vattiato who threw for 150 yards and a touchdown. Vattiato ran in for a touchdown as well towards the end of the first half.

In the first quarter, a second-and-nine on the Louisiana Tech 19, Vattiato threw a 27 -yard dime to receiver Elijah Metcalf for the first touchdown of the night for the Blue Raiders.

Towards the end of the first half of action, Vattiato ran in for a two-yard touchdown to give MTSU a 17-9 lead entering the half.

Hank Bachmeier makes his long awaited return

After missing four games due to a shoulder injury, Hank Bachmeier replaced quarterback Jack Turner, who threw an interception on the Middle Tennessee five in the third quarter of action. Turner ended the night throwing for 162 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was taken out while the Bulldogs were trailing 24-9.

After taking the Bulldogs offense down the field for a touchdown in his first drive back, Bachmeier ended up completing 16 of 24 passes, throwing for 178 yards and one touchdown.

Second half shootout

The second half of this game was a shootout. The first touchdown was by MTSU who drove down the field and running back Jaiden Credle ran it in for a nine-yard touchdown to make it 24-9.

In Bachmeier's first drive, he led the Bulldogs offense down the field and the touchdown came on a Dakota Williams six-yard rush to make it 24-16.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Blue Raiders scored immediately on a 60 yard pass to receiver Holden Willis. That was Vattiato's second passing touchdown of the night, which essentially put the nail on the coffin for this game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Bachmeier tossed a four-yard pass to running back Charvis Thornton for a touchdown, but it wouldn't be enough, as MTSU led 31-23 following the touchdown.

With just under two minutes to go, the Bulldogs' offense had an opportunity to score one last touchdown, but they weren't successful as they did not convert on a fourth and four on the Bulldogs 32.

Final Notes

Vattiato ended the night completing 23 of 29 passes, throwing for 248 yards, two touchdowns and rushing in for a touchdown of his own. He led the Blue Raiders to their first FBS and conference win of the season, which now puts them at 2-5 on the season and 1-2 in league play.

As for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, they drop their second game in a row and fell to a 3-5 overall record and 2-2 record amongst the conference. Wide receiver Smoke Harris ended up with 129 receiving yards on the night, but did not score a touchdown.