Middle Tennessee faced a tough test at Ole Miss this past weekend, falling 52-3 to one of the top teams in the country. Despite the lopsided score, there were notable takeaways and lessons for the Blue Raiders as they prepare for their first Conference USA contest in Week 3 against WKU.
Coach Derek Mason’s Insights
In his postgame comments, Coach Derek Mason didn’t mince words about the challenge posed by Ole Miss. “First of all, I’ve got to give credit to Ole Miss,” Mason said. “They’re physical, talented, and effective across all three phases of the game.” He acknowledged the rough start, highlighting the difficulty of handling the initial surge from a higher-ranked team that is to be expected in an atmosphere like Oxford, Mississippi. Despite a disappointing first half, Mason believed his team gained valuable insights and will use this experience to grow with his roster of 60 new players.
Game Observations
From a strategical perspective, the game revealed several areas where MTSU struggled. The offense found it difficult to make headway against Ole Miss’s formidable defensive front, featuring standouts like Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen. The running game, which had shown promise against Tennessee Tech, was stymied, while the passing attack faced significant pressure.
Yet, the Blue Raiders did manage to score, a crucial achievement against a team of Ole Miss’s caliber. MTSU’s ability to avoid a shutout was seen as a minor victory under the circumstances, with Nicholas Vattiato noting that Ole Miss seemed intent on preventing Middle Tennessee from scoring altogether. Bodie Reeder’s passing game opened up with Vattiato throwing for 209 yards on 21 completions and finding his talented tight-end Holden Willis six times for 93 yards.
Notable Performances and Concerns
Despite the loss, there were positive signs for MTSU. Holden Willis and Cam’ron Lacy showed promise in the passing game, with Willis making notable catches and Lacy demonstrating speed and agility grabbing four passes for 70 yards. However, the run game’s stagnation, especially against a stout Ole Miss defensive line, was a concern. Removing sack yardage from the equation, the Blue Raiders rushed for just 39 yards on 23 attempts.
The inability to contain Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was another issue. Dart exploited Middle Tennessee’s defensive schemes, finding success with short, efficient passes. This highlighted a broader challenge for MTSU: containing mobile quarterbacks, a key focus given the team’s upcoming CUSA opponents, including Western Kentucky’s TJ Finley this Saturday.
Injury Updates
Injuries added to MTSU’s challenges in Oxford and will create some depth chart shake ups this weekend. Running back Frank Peasant and offensive linemen Julius Pierce and J’Shun Bodiford are facing uncertain returns. Peasant’s injury, in particular, is worrisome, with reports suggesting a possible extended absence, but not a season disrupting injury as we’ve seen Reeder utilize the running back committee in the first two weeks of action. The offensive line will also see changes, with new faces like Graduate transfer Ellis Adams at left guard and true Freshman Zach Clayton stepping up at right tackle in the absence of Pierce and Bodiford, respectively.
Preparing for Western Kentucky
As MTSU gears up for their first conference game against Western Kentucky, they’ll need to address the previously stated issues. The Hilltoppers’ rush defense will be a test for MTSU’s revamped offensive line, which struggled against Ole Miss, but could be pivotal against a WKU defense that has struggled to stop the run themselves. The Hilltoppers have allowed over 500 yards on the ground in two weeks including 190 yards to FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky in week two.
The upcoming matchup against Western Kentucky will be a key opportunity for MTSU to rebound and demonstrate growth from their challenging game in Oxford. Most importantly, this is a contest Coach Derek Mason and staff need to win for the morale of the fan base. The Blue Raiders have lost five straight and eight of the last 10 matchups in the 100 Miles of Hate. Middle Tennessee has the opportunity to put CUSA on notice with a home win against a top tier opponent.