Blue Raiders Squeak Out a Win in Season Opener Despite Challenges

The Blue Raiders navigated a tumultuous season opener against Tennessee Tech on Saturday,
securing a hard-fought 32-25 victory that was anything but smooth. Joined by Shane Pickering
from GoMiddle.com, who endured the delay-ridden Saturday matchup, we dive into the key
takeaways and insights from this gritty win.

“It wasn’t the win we wanted, but it was the win we needed,” said head coach Derek Mason,
who reflected on the game with a mix of relief and realism. Despite an early 21-0 lead, the Blue
Raiders faced a series of challenges, including a two-plus hour weather delay and a fierce
comeback attempt from Tennessee Tech. Coach Mason’s postgame comments highlighted the
team’s resilience.

Postgame Reflections
In his postgame press conference, Mason praised Tennessee Tech for their strong
performance, noting the unpredictability of first games and the importance of overcoming
adversity. “Football is a game of momentum,” Mason observed. “We had it early, but Tennessee
Tech took it back. The key was that this team didn’t panic.” He emphasized the lessons learned
from the rollercoaster that was Saturday night, including playing from ahead, then coming from
behind, and acknowledged the need for further improvement to avoid those inconsistencies in
play.

Offensive and Defensive Insights
You can’t help but to note the conservative approach on offense. The Blue Raiders’ offense,
initially explosive with a 21-0 lead, faltered after critical special teams play from the Golden
Eagles that set up a safety. The offense went stagnant and the play-calling seemed reserved,
especially in the passing game. Despite a solid start, the team struggled to maintain momentum,
leading to concerns about their offensive strategy moving forward.
The running game showed promise with Frank Peasant and Flip Credle making significant
contributions with 20 carries and three touchdowns apiece. The depth at running back was
apparent with four different backs receiving at least four carries showing potential for a stronger
run game this season. However, concerns remain about the vertical passing attack and the
need for more aggressive play-calling to force opposing defenses to lighten the box.
On the defensive side, the Blue Raiders faced challenges with a mobile quarterback and a
struggling pass rush. Jordyn Potts broke contain frequently and made the secondary’s job
difficult. The defense will need to improve its ability to contain shifty quarterbacks, particularly
with tougher opponents on the horizon.

Injury Concerns and Upcoming Challenges

Injuries added to the complexity of the game, with both starting cornerbacks, DeArre McDonald
and Tyrell Raby, going down on Saturday. The depth of the cornerback position will be tested,
especially with the upcoming game against Ole Miss. The largest area of improvement needed
for next week will be tackling in space and limiting the big plays – this will be critical against the
Rebels’ high-caliber receiving corps.

Looking Ahead: Ole Miss
The Blue Raiders face a daunting challenge next week against Ole Miss, with kickoff scheduled
for 3:15 PM on the SEC Network. The initial line has Ole Miss favored by 42 points, reflecting
the significant gap between the teams. Particularly high for a typical FBS matchup, but not
nearly impossible for Lane Kiffin and Jaxson Dart as they tallied nearly 450 yards of passing in
two quarters against FCS Top 10 Furman in Week 1.

Conclusion
While Saturday’s game wasn’t the ideal start to the season, the Blue Raiders demonstrated
resilience and the ability to adapt under pressure. As the team prepares for a challenging
matchup against Ole Miss, there are areas to address, but also a lot to build upon. I will have
my eyes tuned into Mason and the staff making necessary adjustments on both sides of the ball
and create some level of momentum moving into the 100 Miles of Hate in Week 3.

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Jake Bolden

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