Weeks zero and one are officially over. Thrilling matchups have been a staple thus far, from Georgia Tech taking Florida State to the Cliffs of Moher, to Vanderbilt upsetting Virginia Tech in the Music City. We were witness to many great matchups, and the Battle for Harvey didn’t disappoint.
As I stood across from The Horseshoe at Raiderwalk, something truly struck me. I’m about to start my fourth season of covering the Blue Raiders, and this honestly was one of my favorite games to date. The severe storm delay, kicking off in the rain, and watching the Blue Raiders win again made for a truly memorable evening.
GAMETIME
After 2.5 hours of severe weather, an impromptu Band of Blue pep rally, and two plates of BBQ eaten by yours truly, it was finally time for kickoff! Frank “The Tank” Peasant opened scoring on the first drive of the night, after quarterback Nicholas Vattiato converted three third downs that took up half of the first quarter. We saw four backs and three receivers utilized. Something new Head Coach Derek Mason had discussed earlier in the summer.
Vanderbilt transfer John Howse IV forced the first Blue Raider turnover of 2024, followed by a seven-play drive and touchdown pass from Vattiato to Butler, then a run-heavy 11-play, 59-yard drive to make the score 21-0 in the second quarter.
Tennessee Tech would get a safety following a punt that forced the Blue Raiders to set up shop at their own 1-yard line. They marched down with a field goal, to make it 21-5 at halftime (Sickos Committee alert?)
Tennessee Tech made adjustments, mainly around backup playcaller Jordyn Potts, who threw for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. They scored on the following drive, making it 21-11. Zeke Rankin hit a 33-yard field goal in the fourth, but the Golden Eagles responded, making it 24-18 with less than 5 minutes to play.
Potts’ third touchdown pass of the night put the visitors ahead 25-24 with 1:06 left of the clock. At this point, some teams would give up; not Nick Vattiato, who, with the help of Auburn transfer Omari Kelly, took the Blue Raiders down to the TTU 30-yard line.
Now you’re in a pickle... do you chuck the ball down the field? Try for a field goal and give your opponent a chance to respond, OR just give the ball to your power back and pray for an opening? In comes “The Tank," who takes a shotgun handoff 30 yards to the end zone and quiets the Golden Eagle faithful. Vattiato hit Kellen Stewart (my current CFB 25 Heisman favorite) for the two-point conversion. Despite the Golden Eagles attempts, Middle pulled out a 32-25 victory in front of the cold and wet Blue Raider faithful.
Ole Miss's Last Time Out
On Saturday, Ole Miss, led by the infamous Lane Kiffin, dominated Furman (FCS) 76-0. They were 45-point favorites, close to the number they are against the Blue Raiders.
Jaxson Dart (Senior), a Heisman hopeful, threw five touchdowns and ran for one, leading eight consecutive first-half scoring drives. The Rebels led 52-0 at halftime. Dart went 22-27 for 418 yards before passing the torch to freshman Austin Simmons, who threw for 111 yards and one touchdown in the second half. Tre Harris (senior) pulled in two touchdowns on 61-yard and 22-yard passes. He had 179 yards total.
Overall, the Rebels finished with 772 total offensive yards, with 502 coming in the first half, adding Caden Davis’ two field goals and touchdown runs by Matt Jones to cap the scoring. Jones led all rushing with 68 yards.
Top Rebels
PLAYER | POSITION | GAME 1 STATS |
Jaxson Dart | QB | 22/27, 418 yards, 5 TD, 0 int |
Matt Jones | RB | 3 att, 68 yards, 2 TD |
Tre Harris | WR | 8 rec, 179 yards, 2 TD |
Chris Hardie | DE | 1 sack, 3 tackles, 1 tfl |
Trey Amos | CB | 1 int -1 yard, 0 TD |
Top Blue Raiders
PLAYER | POSITION | GAME 1 STATS |
Nicholas Vattiato | QB | 20/35, 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 int |
Frank Peasant | RB | 10 att, 49 yards, 2 TD |
Omari Kelly | WR | 4 rec, 47 yards |
Brendon Harris | S | 6 TOT, 1 PD |
John Howse IV | S | 5 TOT, 1 INT, 42 yards |
Prediction
Ole Miss is the favorite by a LONG shot in this mid-south matchup. Tennessee Tech put up nearly 300 passing yards last Saturday, and I expect Jaxson Dart to have a field day against a beat-up Blue Raider defense. I expect a couple of scoring drives and time of possession to favor the Blue Raiders in the first and fourth quarters, but Ole Miss' trenches are STACKED to the brim with five-star talent and athleticism. I think it could turn into a fun game if the Blue Raider offense limits turnovers and can get lucky with a few takeaways.
FINAL PREDICTION: OLE MISS 56, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 21.
Prove me wrong Blue Raiders.
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