Middle Tennessee football struggled defensively on Thursday night at Joe Aillet Stadium, allowing seven touchdown drives in a 48-21 loss to Louisiana Tech in Conference USA play.  

The Blue Raiders (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) needed just six plays to find the endzone at the start of the game. Nicholas Vattiato found Holden Willis on back-to-back plays, tossing a 35-yard third-down conversion against pressure before finding the tight end wide open in the end zone on first down from the LA Tech 18 for the first touchdown pass of the evening, giving MTSU a 7-0 lead in under three minutes of game time. The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1 CUSA) quickly responded, taking advantage of a kickoff return into MTSU territory to tie the game, but MTSU also responded, with Vattiato finding Jekail Middlebrook on a dump pass under pressure for a 24-yard touchdown to retake the lead, 14-7. 

The Bulldogs drove 75-yards down the field, but missed a game-tying PAT, cutting the lead to 14-13. Omari Kelly fumbled near midfield on the ensuring MTSU drive, giving LA Tech the ball once again in Blue Raider territory, which the Bulldogs promptly turned into their third touchdown in three drives, taking a 20-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.  

A Blue Raider three-and-out followed by a sub-40-yard punt led to another short field for the Bulldogs and another LA Tech touchdown, stretching the deficit to 27-14. The Blue Raiders looked to have stalled out once again, but a muffed punt recovered by Kellan Stewart at the LA Tech 21 gave the visitors new life in the second quarter. Alas, Omari Kelly failed to look a pass into his hands, deflecting the short dart from Vattiato off the Auburn transfer's gloves into the arms of a Bulldog defensive back, resulting in a touchdown the ensuing drive. A missed field goal late from the Bulldogs gave the home team a 34-14 advantage at halftime.  

LA Tech connected on third down the ninth time in 10 tries on the opening drive of the second half, going over the top of the MTSU defense for a 75-yard touchdown to increase their lead to 27, 41-14. But the Blue Raiders quickly responded, putting together a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown run by Jaiden Credle. The Bulldogs added another score in the third frame, this one coming on a trick play pass from Marquis Crosby, for LA Tech's sixth passing touchdown of the night, tied for the most MTSU has given in a single game in program history. The 48-21 margin would hold through a scoreless fourth quarter.  

   
By the Numbers  
551: Yards given up by the Blue Raiders, the third time MTSU has given up over 500 yards of total offense this season (Ole Miss, Western Kentucky) 

12-for-16: LA Tech's success on third down. The Bulldogs converted their first nine third downs of the night, all in the first half, to help build a 20-point halftime lead.  

14: Points off Turnovers for the Bulldogs. It's the fifth time this season MTSU has lost the turnover battle (2-1 on Thursday) and the fourth time MTSU has given up double digit points of turnovers in a game (Ole Miss, Duke, Memphis).  
   
Blue Raider Notes  

• Today's game marks the first midweek game of the season for the Blue Raiders. 

• Last season Middle Tennessee went 1-3 in midweek games.  

• R-Sophomore linebacker Muaaz Byard recorded his first career start against LA Tech. 

• R-Senior tight end Daniel Gonzalez logged his first career start at right tackle against the Bulldogs. 

Offensive Player Notes 
#1 | Omari Kelly| WR | Jr. 

• Tallied 103 yards on eight receptions. 

• Third career 100 yard receiving game. 

#11 | Nick Vattiato | QB | r-Jr. 

• Made his team-leading 18th straight start today against LA Tech. 

• Finished 24-for-39 for 276 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. 

• Recorded his 19th career 200 or more yard passing game – third all-time. 

#83 | Holden Willis | TE | r-Sr. 

• Tallied 79 yards on five receptions and a touchdown. 

Defensive Player Notes 
#18 | Xavier Williams | S | Gr. 

• Registered a team and career-high nine tackles, including four solo stops. 

#36 | Jordan Thompson | LB | r-Fr.  

• Totaled a career-high eight tackles, including a pair of solo stops. 
     

Up Next   
MTSU returns home with a quick turnaround in Weekday CUSA play, taking on Kennesaw State on Tuesday night in Floyd Stadium. Kickoff on Faith and Family Night is set for 7 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network and the Blue Raider Network.