From the Tennessean

By Adam Sparks

Middle Tennessee State rode quarterback Logan Kilgore’s red-hot start to a 38-14 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night.

Kilgore, a sophomore, completed his first 19 pass attempts, breaking the school record of 15 consecutive completions set by Wes Counts in 2001.

Kilgore passed for 161 yards to 10 different receivers just in the first quarter before hitting a lull. He finished 28-of-39 passing for 218 yards, three TDs and two interceptions in three quarters before being relieved by backup Jeff Murphy.

“Wow, 19 (straight), huh?” Kilgore said, chuckling. “I didn’t realize there wasn’t an incompletion. I don’t think ever been that hot before.”

Coach Rick Stockstill also wasn’t aware of Kilgore’s record-breaking streak until a TV sideline reporter told him at halftime.

“I didn’t know until then. He was 19-of-19, and I had no idea,” Stockstill said.

Sophomore William Pratcher posted his second straight 100-yard rushing game, filling in for injured running backs Benny Cunningham and D.D. Kyles. He finished with 125 yards on 23 carries.

“That was because of my line. If my line has a good game, I have a good game,” Pratcher said. “We’ve got some guys out and I’ve got an opportunity here, and I want to take full advantage.”

The MTSU (2-6, 1-2 Sun Belt) offense gained 479 yards in quarterbacks coach Buster Faulkner’s play-calling debut, following offensive coordinator Willie Simmons’ resignation in the previous week for personal reasons.

Florida Atlantic (0-7, 0-4) is one of two winless teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Sparked by Kilgore, the Blue Raiders raced to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. MTSU gobbled up 211 yards on three touchdown drives in about seven minutes.

“A big point of emphasis was starting fast, and we really did,” Stockstill said. “I thought we were in a good rhythm, and we kept making first downs. But we really came out of the blocks.”

Kilgore completed all seven passes on the opening drive, including a 20-yard TD toss to Malcolm Beyah.

Pratcher highlighted the second drive with runs of 12 and 19 yards, followed by a 5-yard TD pass from Kilgore to Shane Blissard, a former Oakland standout.

The third drive went 68 yards in only six plays. All six plays were completed passes, capped by Kilgore’s 23-yard strike to Andrew Banks for his first career score.

Kilgore’s first incompletion came on his 20th attempt early in the second quarter when he tossed the ball out of bounds to avoid a sack.

Kilgore also tossed an interception at FAU’s 12 just before halftime to squander a scoring opportunity.

He threw another interception early in the third quarter, but MTSU safety Eric Russell returned the favor on the next play by picking off an FAU pass in the end zone and returning it 64 yards.

It led to Alan Gendreau’s 32-yard field goal for a 24-7 lead.

MTSU’s defense notched six takeaways, including five fumble recoveries. The Blue Raiders’ previous high was two takeaways.