Jake Bolden 
Middle Tennessee State
In their latest outing against Memphis, despite suffering a 24-7 loss, there were tangible signs of improvement. Head Coach Derek Mason highlighted the resilience of his team in a road environment, where they managed to keep pace with a Memphis squad known for its offensive prowess. “I thought our kids responded the way we should,” Mason remarked during his post-game press conference. Entering the Saturday contest, the secondary was one of the worst in FBS but held AAC Offensive Player of the Year candidate Seth Henigan to just 227 yards through the air and broke his 41 consecutive game streak of throwing at least one passing touchdown.
The secondary’s consistency with starter cornerbacks James Shellman and Marvae Myers contributing to a stronger defensive unit. Even Quarterback turned Free Safety, Xavier Williams stepped up, leading the team in tackles and tackles for loss during his debut in the secondary.
Offensive Hurdles and Opportunities
While the defense made strides, the offense still faced challenges, especially in terms of protection for quarterback Nick Vattiato. The young, injury-plagued offensive line is allowing an average of 3.8 sacks per game—one of the worst rates in the FBS. The coaching staff remains optimistic about potential improvements in the coming weeks as they leave Memphis with the line still intact, for now.
MTSU enters a critical bye week, providing a much-needed opportunity to regroup and recover. It can’t be said enough – the continuity of playing, especially those thrown into positions because of injuries, will continue to build confidence for the remainder of conference season.
A Critical Stretch Ahead
Looking ahead, the Blue Raiders have a chance to turn their season around with a series of winnable games against Louisiana Tech and Kennesaw State. The shifting landscape of Conference USA, with several teams having a rough non-conference season, creates an opening for MTSU to make a push for bowl eligibility in the final seven games.
The upcoming matchup against Louisiana Tech presents a significant opportunity. The Bulldogs are struggling, having recently lost to FIU, and rotating through two starters, might give MTSU the edge they need to secure a much-needed road victory. Entering the season this was expected to be an improved Louisiana Tech team, but the offensive struggles have stalled their own bowl game hopes.
While the season has been challenging for MTSU, recent performances indicate that the team is on the cusp of turning things around. With a crucial bye week entering a three stretch over 14 days, the Blue Raiders are poised to capitalize on their growing momentum. As Coach Mason and his staff work to fine-tune their strategies and get players back from injury, fans can hold onto hope for a more successful Conference USA side of the season.
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