The Blue Raiders couldn’t overcome a slow start, falling to Austin Peay 34-14 in their season opener at Floyd Stadium on Saturday night.

Austin Peay jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter with scores coming fast. Chris Parson threw a 22-yard touchdown to Jaden Robinson, Courtland Simmons punched in a 1-yard run, then Parson found Jackson Head for a 4-yard touchdown.

Middle Tennessee finally answered late in the second quarter when Nicholas Vattiato hit Nahzae Cox for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 21-7 at halftime. The Blue Raiders kept the momentum going in the third quarter as Cox hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut it to 24-14.

That’s as close as MTSU would get. Austin Peay added two field goals and a late touchdown to put the game away.

Cox led the Blue Raiders with si

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