As the 2025 season continues to slip away, Middle Tennessee State football coach Derek Mason placed the blame squarely where it is deserved — on his offense.
The unit, which went into the Oct. 8 game against Missouri State at Floyd Stadium tied for 126th in the nation in scoring offense and tied for 119th in total offense, allowed its early momentum to slip away in a 22-20 loss.
“Offensively, it wasn’t enough. All together, it wasn’t enough,” Mason said. “I told our team the outcome changes when we make it so. You can only be close for so long. We’ve got to score points. We’re getting defensive stops.”
MTSU (1-5, 0-2 Conference USA) has scored 20 points or fewer in five of its six games this season. Missouri State (3-3, 1-1) secured its win after an MTSU drive stalled at the Bears’ 32-yard line, and Blue Raiders kicker Jacob Hathaway missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 1:03 left to play.
MTSU lost control of the game early
Mason said he actually liked what he saw from his offense in the first quarter. It moved the ball well, leaning on a balanced run/pass attack while the defense gave Missouri State’s offense fits. The Bears started freshman quarterback Deuce Bailey, with veteran starter Jacob Clark sidelined by a knee injury.
But the problem with MTSU’s offense early was that it failed to capitalize on its ability to get into scoring range. It settled for a 45-yard field goal by Hathaway on the opening drive and started to falter late in the first quarter.
“I’ll go back to why this game was the way it was and so close, is because we didn’t make a move in the first quarter when we had plenty of opportunities to,” Mason said. “This game goes back to what happened in the first quarter. Not so much what happened to us at the end. Not taking advantage of momentum, opportunity and the ability to sort of create some distance. It haunts you.”
After Bailey finally got Missouri State’s offense in gear, he ran for a touchdown and threw for another. The Bears added a 40-yard field goal to take a 16-10 lead.
Derek Mason takes blame for MTSU’s struggles, worries about focus
MTSU has a week off before returning to the field on Oct. 22 at Delaware, and Mason is concerned about his players’ confidence level.
This is the second straight season the Blue Raiders have started 1-5.
“I said I’ll put it on my shoulders,” Mason said. “I told them I don’t need you looking at social media and paying attention to things that really don’t matter. Because at the end of the day, people have a right to their opinions. They’re fans and they want to see us be successful, too. Part of it is keeping these guys focused and keeping the main thing the main thing.”
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Unpacking MTSU football after starting 1-5 for second straight season