MTSU football coach Derek Mason on improving after loss to Duke
Middle Tennessee State football coach Derek Mason speaks following a 45-17 loss to Duke on homecoming.
Middle Tennessee State football is looking to snap a four-game losing streak when the Blue Raiders play at Louisiana Tech Thursday (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
The Blue Raiders, who are seeking their first Conference USA win in their second league contest, will finish the season with seven consecutive CUSA games.
MTSU is coming off a 24-7 loss at Memphis. Louisiana Tech (1-3, 0-1) has lost three in a row after a Week 1 victory over Nicholls. The Bulldogs dropped a 17-10 decision to Florida International during Week 5.
Louisiana Tech leads MTSU, 34-14, at halftime after an impressive first half from the Bulldogs.
Watch MTSU vs. Louisiana Tech football live on Fubo with a free trial
Follow the game with live updates, as well as other information about Thursday’s CUSA contest below:
The Bulldogs outscored the Blue Raiders, 14-7, in the quarter. MTSU has the ball to begin the fourth quarter.
Louisiana Tech threw a halfback pass from Marquis Crosby to Solo Lewis, adding to the already impressive Bulldog lead in the late stages of the third quarter.
The Blue Raiders needed to respond after the Bulldogs’ big score to open the half. Jaiden Credle carried the ball up the middle, bounced off three defenders and ran into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown.
Michael Richard went to make a tackle for Louisiana Tech. He was shaken up going to the ground but popped up like normal. He immediately fell to the field, bringing the medical staff onto the field quickly.
He has been put on a stretcher and a cart is on the field. Louisiana Tech’s players are near the cart to support Richard, while MTSU is on its sideline.
Richard has been stretchered off the field and taken to the ambulance. His eyes were open, according to the CBS Sports Network broadcast.
The game is going to continue. MTSU has the ball.
The second half has begun in Ruston. The stadium has a distinct haze over it after a fireworks show at halftime. Louisiana Tech has the ball to start the half.
Just three plays into the half, Evan Bullock found Tru Edwards for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Bullock found Edwards through the haze and two MTSU defensive backs to snag the ball and sprint into the end zone.
That’s now five passing TDs for Evan Bullock, and six TDs overall tonight.
Louisiana Tech missed a 24-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the first half. Then MTSU tried to put together a quick drive before the break, but actually lost two yards.
It’s halftime in Ruston. MTSU has a lot to fix on both sides of the ball during the intermission.
Nicholas Vattiato has 147 yards on 12-of-20 passing with two touchdowns and an interception. Jekail Middlebrook is the leading rusher with 21 yards on three carries. Holden Willis is the leading receiver with 73 yards and a TD on four catches.
For Louisiana Tech, Evan Bullock is 14-of-19 passing for 186 yards and four touchdowns. He also has a rushing touchdown for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are outgaining the Blue Raiders, 345-168.
Nicholas Vattiato threw an interception, which was deflected by a receiver, after the Blue Raiders recovered a muffed punt by the Bulldogs earlier in the quarter.
Louisiana Tech capitalized on the turnover with a nine-play, 65-yard drive in 4:53 capped with a quarterback sneak from Evan Bullock, who now has five touchdowns tonight (four passing, one rushing). The touchdown was his first rushing TD of his career.
This is also the most points the Bulldogs have scored in a game. Their previous high was against Nicholls on Aug. 31. This game is also the highest point total for the Bulldogs since Sept. 16, 2023, a 40-37 loss to North Texas.
Evan Bullock fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jay Wilkerson to cap another quick scoring drive. The Blue Raiders had to punt on its last drive.
Bullock is now up to four touchdown passes for Louisiana Tech on 7-of-10 passing for 96 yards.
The first quarter is over in Ruston. MTSU has the ball for the fourth time in the game when it restarts.
Nicholas Vattiato is 8-for-12 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns for MTSU. Holden Willis is the leading receiver with 73 yards on four catches and a touchdown.
After the Blue Raiders fumbled, the Bulldogs drove down the field in 1:16 and four plays. Evan Bullock found Omiri Wiggins for a 16-yard touchdown on a screen pass. This is Bullock’s third TD pass of the night, second to Wiggins.
Louisiana Tech quarterback Evan Bullock zipped a 15-yard pass on a seam route to Jimmy Holiday, who beat two MTSU defensive backs, for a touchdown. The extra point by Buck Buchanan was missed wide right, his first miss of the season.
Nicholas Vattiato floated a 4-yard check-down pass to Jekail Middlebrook, who ran into the end zone from the 20-yard line and into the end zone.
Louisiana Tech’s Sifa Leota was ejected from the game for targeting after hitting Vattiato’s head on the pass.
The Bulldogs had a big kickoff return after the Blue Raiders’ opening touchdown drive. Quarterback Evan Bullock found Omiri Wiggins for a 5-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs on the board.
Nicholas Vattiato found Holden Willis for an 18-yard touchdown pass on the Blue Raiders’ first drive. Willis made a catch on the previous play, ending in a 35-yard reception on a third down. Vattiato lofted the ball in desperation and found Holden for the catch, setting up the touchdown.
MTSU won the coin toss and elected to take the football. The Blue Raiders will be on offense first against the Bulldogs. The game is underway.
MTSU went 2-2 with game picks from the CBS Sports Network studio crew, leading into Thursday’s CUSA game.
MTSU vs. Louisiana Tech football time today
- Date:Â Thursday, Oct. 10
- Start time:Â 7 p.m. CT
The MTSU vs. Louisiana Tech game starts at 7 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana.
What channel is MTSU football vs. Louisiana Tech on today?
TV:Â CBS Sports Network
Livestream: Fubo (free trial), Paramount+ (free trial).
MTSU vs. Louisiana Tech will broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network in Week 7 of the 2024 college football season. Alex Del Barrio (play by play) and Brock Vereen (color commentator) will call the game from the booth at Joe Aillet Stadium. Streaming options for the game include Fubo and Paramount+, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
MTSU vs. Louisiana Tech football history
- Series history: Louisiana Tech leads 4-3.
- MTSU’s last win: 2023 (31-23).
- Louisiana Tech’s last win: 2022 (40-24).
MTSU football vs. Louisiana Tech prediction
MTSU 24, Louisiana Tech 17. The Blue Raiders get their first CUSA win in the Derek Mason era, snapping a losing streak along the way. An improving Blue Raider defense exploits the Bulldogs’ issues behind center.
MTSU vs. Louisiana Tech football weather update
The Weather Channel reports clear skies in Ruston on Thursday, with a high of 85 and a low of 54.
MTSU football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31: MTSU 32, Tennessee Tech 25
Sept. 7: Ole Miss 52, MTSU 3
Sept. 14: Western Kentucky 49, MTSU 21
Sept. 21: Duke 45, MTSU 17
Sept. 28: Memphis 24, MTSU 7
Oct. 10 at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Oct. 15 vs. Kennesaw State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Oct. 23 at Jacksonville State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2
Nov. 2 at Texas-El Paso, 2:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Nov. 9 vs. Liberty, noon, CBS Sports Network
Nov. 23 vs. New Mexico State, 1:30 p.m., ESPN platforms
Nov. 30 at Florida International, 1 p.m., ESPN platforms
Dec. 6 Conference USA championship game, CBS Sports Network
MTSU football news
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Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.