MTSU will be looking to build on a season that ended with a bowl victory when it travels to James Madison to open its 2022 campaign on Saturday. The Blue Raiders closed 2021 with a 31-24 win over Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. James Madison is getting set for its first-ever game at the FBS level after reaching the FCS playoff semifinals last year.
MTSU was originally scheduled to face Missouri in its opener as part of a three-game series, the first of which was won by the Blue Raiders in Columbia in 2016. However, Missouri decided to opt out of this game, paying MTSU $800,000 for backing out. James Madison needed another home game to be eligible to move up to FBS, so it is paying MTSU $700,000 on Saturday. The Blue Raiders are heading into this season following their third bowl win under head coach Rick Stockstill. They are working under a new offensive coordinator, as Mitch Stewart was hired to lead an air raid offense following Brent Dearmon’s decision to take the Florida Atlantic job.
.@frankpeasant16 was a high school linebacker, but now he's a bruiser out of the Blue Raider backfield.
MT Staff Writer @sjdoughton gives you the story on MT's longest tenured running back.https://t. co/jTwiOIBRGN
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) August 31, 2022
Stewart led Samford to the No. 2 overall offense in the Southern Conference last year, averaging 448.7 yards. The Blue Raiders finished with the No. 4-ranked offense in Conference USA last year, and senior Chase Cunningham is back at quarterback. He had 1,318 passing yards and 16 touchdowns before his 2021 season was cut short due to an injury. Cunningham was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List this year. Sophomore wide receiver Jaylin Lane is back after catching 42 passes for 466 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, MTSU lost its top two players to graduation. The Blue Raiders led the nation with 32 forced turnovers last season.