It’s a battle of Conference USA opponents on the gridiron as a pair of teams do battle in the Yellowhammer State. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are on the road as they travel to face the UAB Blazers Saturday afternoon. Middle Tennessee was knocked off 45-30 at home by UTSA last Friday night in their most recent contest. UAB was dropped 28-24 on the road by Rice in their previous contest last Saturday. The all-time series between the teams is tied at three victories apiece with the Blazers taking a 27-25 victory in the most recent meeting, which came at Middle Tennessee in the Conference USA title game back on December 1, 2018.
Middle Tennessee saw their three-game win streak snapped as they were knocked off by UTSA in an offensive bonanza in their conference opener last Friday. The Blue Raiders fell to 3-2 overall on the season and are 0-1 in conference play as they head on the road here. Against UTSA, Middle Tennessee went down 10-0 after the opening quarter and never got closer than three after that as they were unable to slow Roadrunners’ quarterback Frank Harris. The Blue Raiders were outgained 590-452 in total offense, gave up 32 first downs while picking up 20 and lost the time of possession by a 34:37 to 25:23 margin. Middle Tennessee did force three turnovers, including a pick-six, while not committing a turnover in the game.
On the season, the Blue Raiders are 40th in the FBS in passing offense as they average 272.2 yards per game through the air. Middle Tennessee stands just 114th am ong the 131 FBS teams to play so far this season in rushing offense as they average 106.4 yards per game on the ground. The Blue Raiders are 53rd in scoring offense with an average of 33 points per game. Middle Tennessee struggles defensively as well, ranking 90th in scoring defense by allowing 29 points per contest. Chase Cunningham is 120 of 176 passing for 1,368 yards with eight touchdowns against three interceptions plus 75 yards and two scores on the ground this season. Preston Rice (one of one, -3 yards) and Stone Frost (one of one, -4 yards) have seen limited action. Frank Peasant leads the team with 66 carries for 302 yards plus six scores on the ground. Darius Bracy (22 carries, 83 yards, TD) is next in line for the run game. Izaiah Gaithings leads the team with 33 receptions for 272 yards on the season. Jaylin Lane (21 receptions, team-high 410 yards, TD) and Yusuf Ali (21 catches, 166 yards, two TD) are the only other players with double-digit recept ions on the season. Zeke Rankin has hit all 21 extra point attempts and six of six field goal attempts with a long of 35 this season.