MTSU vs UTSA First Half Recap

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Blue Raiders Host U of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners

Blackout games, Rivalry games against WKU, and homecoming all pale in comparison when the ‘Salute to the Troops’ game at MTSU is played. The Blue Raider family goes above and beyond to show the gratitude and respect MT has for its Veterans. The usual Raider Blue hue is replaced with the Red, White & Blue inside the MT logo on the players helmet to commemorate the Stars & Stripes. Each quarter of the game is dedicated to specific branches of the Armed Forces.

The Marines 1st Quarter

The Blue Raiders won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. UTSA would receive the opening kick off and methodically marched down the field. The drive would would be capped off with a six yard touchdown run by senior running back, Jarveon Williams.
Not to be outdone, the Raiders would answer on their first drive as well. Quarter Back, Brent Stockstill, found I’Tavious Mathers on the away sidelines for a 49 yard hook up on the drive, setting the Raiders up in scoring position. The boys in blue would waste no more time as Stockstill would strike again. This time finding red-shirt senior wide out, Dennis Andrews, on a 16 yard pass and catch. Evening up the score at 7.
After both teams came out of the gates hot, their subsequent drives would end in punts. After the momentary lapse the Roadrunners would lay claim to their nickname, as run they did. This time by way of sophomore running back, Jalen Rhodes, on a 26 yard dash to hop back in front 14-7.
The Blue Raiders wouldn’t follow the trend of their opponents as their offense staggered, turning the ball over on downs to end the first quarter.

The Navy 2nd Quarter

Once the Roadrunners got the ball back to start the quarter, they kept their foot on the gas. Racing down the field past a Blue Raider D that had been on the field the majority of the first quarter. Jarveon Williams would once again be the player found in the end zone after a two yard goal line run, putting UTSA up 21-7.
As if the scoreboard wasn’t enough to turn a Raider fan blue, quarter back Brent Stockstill was now out of the game. His replacement, red-shirt freshmen, John Urzua. Urzua’s first possession turned things from bad to worse. The freshmen would over throw his intended target and be picked off.
The Raider turnover set UTSA up on the plus side of the field. From there the Roadrunners showed they weren’t just a one trick pony. Going to the air for their fourth score of the first half. Junior wide receiver, Josh Stewart hauled in the 16 yard pass to put UTSA 28-7.
The only thing the MTSU crowd had to cheer for in the second quarter came after a UTSA player, Teddrick McGee, was ejected for a targeting call. The Blue Raiders would finally get themselves in scoring position just before half. Kicker, Canon Rooker, booted through a 30 yard field goal, drawing the Raiders closer. The half time score was 28-10