The MTSU Blue Raiders turned back rival WKU, 50-47, in three overtimes in front of 24,911 at Floyd Stadium Saturday.
MT GAME NOTES (from MT Athletics)
CAPTAINS: Today's game captains were S Kevin Byard, OL Isaiah Anderson, and FB Chase Pennycuff.
8TH LARGEST: Middle Tennessee's announced crowd of 24,911 ranked as the eighth largest crowd in school history. It was the most in Floyd since 25,908 came to see the Blue Raiders' 2010 opener against Minnesota.
GRAMMER TOPS 100: For the second time in his career and the first of the season, quarterback Austin Grammer topped the 100-yard rushing mark. Grammer finished the game with a career-high 125 yards and a a personal-best three rushing touchdowns.
ANOTHER PICK FOR D: With Jared Singletary's interception in the second quarter, the Blue Raiders have now collected 27 interceptions in its last 21 games. MT now has three on the season after registering 15 in 2013.
GOAL LINE STAND: Late in the third quarter, the Blue Raider defense came up with a big goal line stand when WKU had it 1st and Goal from the 6-yard line. On second down, WKU's Leon Allen was ruled as scoring a touchdown but after a review it was ruled he fell short at the 1-yard line. MT then held on the next two plays to regain possession. LB Trey Wafford made the stop on 4th down.
WORKING OT: Middle Tennessee and WKU needed three overtimes to decide Saturday's C-USA opener. It marked Middle Tennessee's seventh OT game as an FBS member. The Blue Raiders are now 4-3 in those games. It marked the Blue Raiders' third OT game in three seasons. Prior to 2011, MT had not played an OT game since 2003 when it played three. It marked the second time in three seasons MT and WKU played into OT. WKU beat Middle Tennessee 36-33 in double OT Oct. 6, 2011. The three OTs are the second-most of the FBS era. Middle Tennessee and UL-Lafayette played four overtimes in 2003.
QUICK HITTERS: Max Ugboaja, Shubert Bastien, Christian Henry and Leighton Gasque played in their team leading 40th career game today... Isaiah Anderson, Kevin Byard and Darius Johnson all made their 28th straight start to lead the Raiders ... WR Marcus Henry has now caught at least one pass in 16 straight games which leads the Raiders ... Austin Grammer's 59-yard TD run in the first quarter was the longest run of his career ... Senior Chris Sharpe played in his first game of the season tonight after suffering a stress fracture in fall camp ... RB Shane Tucker's 52-yard reception was the longest of his career ... Jimal McBride recorded his first sack of the season and the second of his career during the second quarter ... Jared Singletary came up with the second interception of his career in the second quarter ... The Blue Raiders have now scored in 98 straight home games ... This marked the first time an opponent has thrown for over 400 yards since Louisville in 2007
