Middle Tennessee State football has only four days to try to recover from a lopsided Conference USA loss at Louisiana Tech.
The Blue Raiders (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) were trounced by Louisiana Tech 48-21 and gave up 500 yards of total offense for the third time this season and more than 40 points for the fourth time. They will try to bounce back when conference newcomer Kennesaw State visits Tuesday (7 p.m., CBS Sports Networks).
Kennesaw State (0-5, 0-1) is coming off a 63-24 loss to Jacksonville State in a game in which the Owls gave up 577 total offensive yards and 31 first downs. MTSU is 127th nationally in total defense (488.5 yards) while Kennesaw State is 115th (429.6).
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Here is our scouting report on the matchup, including a score prediction:
Kennesaw State still looking for first FBS win
The Owls are still seeking their first win as an FBS program after losing their first five games by an average margin of 21.4 points.
Kennesaw State’s inaugural season on this level has not been without some highlights. Qua Ashley returned a kickoff 93 yards for touchdown against Jacksonville State, the Owls’ first kickoff return for a score since 2018. He finished with a school record for kickoff return yards in a single game (156).
Senior running back Michael Benefield rushed for career-high 112 yards in that game, becoming the Owls’ first 100-yard rusher since Benefield did the same Oct. 28, 2023 against Lincoln. Benefield became the only player in program history to rush for four-straight 100-yard games in 2023.
Defensively safety Milon Jones has posted career-high single game tackles marks each of the last two weeks. He had 12 stops against Jacksonville State after having 10 against UT Martin.
Watch MTSU football vs. Kennesaw State Tech on Paramount+MTSU is not as bad on offense as it is on defense
MTSU’s offense, at times, has been a bright spot. Junior quarterback Nick Vattiato made his team-leading 18th consecutive start against Louisiana Tech. He completed 24-of-39 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He is Conference USA’s leading passer and 14th nationally with 1,561 yards.
Tight end Willis Holden had five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana Tech.
Auburn transfer wide receiver Omari Kelly is the Blue Raiders‘ leading receiver with 32 catches for 574 yards and three touchdowns. Holden is the second leading receiver with 25 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
While MTSU is second in Conference USA in passing the Blue Raiders are last in rushing (76.8 yards). Junior Jaiden Credle is MTSU’s leading rusher with only 253 yards on 54 carries. Credle did, however, rush for 125 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown against Duke.
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MTSU score prediction vs. Kennesaw State
MTSU 35, Kennesaw State 14. The Blue Raiders get their first CUSA win under first-year coach Derek Mason. The offense gets back on track against a struggling Kennesaw State defense while the Blue Raiders prove they’re not quite as bad as they appeared on defense against Louisiana Tech.
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