MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In a highly anticipated matchup, Middle Tennessee triumphed over Kennesaw State with a score of 14-5 on Tuesday night, marking the inaugural clash between the two teams. Nicholas Vattiato showcased his passing prowess, throwing for 199 yards during the contest. Omari Kelly electrified the crowd with a remarkable 61-yard punt return for a touchdown, extending Middle Tennessee’s lead to 14-2 late in the third quarter.
Kelly demonstrated his agility by fielding a punt that had bounced ahead of him. After evading a would-be tackler with a stiff-arm maneuver around the 20-yard line, he sprinted into the end zone with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Jekail Middlebrook added to the scoreboard with a touchdown, finishing off a meticulously executed eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard rush.
In addition to his impressive punt return, Kelly contributed significantly to the passing game, recording six receptions for 77 yards. Holden Willis also had a standout performance, leading the team with eight catches that accumulated 92 yards.
The Middle Tennessee defense played a crucial role in the victory, highlighted by Marvae Myers’ diving interception in the end zone mid-second quarter, which helped maintain a slender 7-2 lead. De’Arre McDonald further bolstered the defense with another interception just before halftime.
For Kennesaw State, Khalib Johnson had a challenging night, completing only 5 of 17 passes for 52 yards and suffering two interceptions. The Owls, now at 0-6 in the season and 0-2 within Conference USA, have been struggling offensively, sitting at the bottom of the league with an average of just 14.6 points per game.
Among the highlights for Kennesaw State was a historical moment when Donelius Jackson recorded the first safety in the program’s history, executing a powerful tackle on Middlebrook early in the first quarter. The game showcased a blend of solid defensive plays and notable offensive moments from Middle Tennessee, resulting in a much-needed victory for the home team.