MADISON, Wis. – Middle Tennessee struck first and hung tough early, but Wisconsin pulled away after halftime in a 42-10 loss Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Jacob Hathaway opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal, and after a Badger surge, Damonte Smith's interception set up Nicholas Vattiato's four-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Tipton that cut the deficit to 14-10 at the break.

Vattiato finished with 197 passing yards and a score, with Nahzae Cox hauling in three catches for 75 yards. Muaaz Byard led the defense with nine tackles.

By the Numbers:
9: Muaaz Byard recorded a career-best nine tackles to lead the Blue Raiders
7: Middle Tennessee tallied seven tackles-for-loss
1: Damonte Smith caught his first career interception, a change in possession that saw the Blue Raiders score on the following drive

Blue Raider Notes:
Offensive Player Notes
#1 | Nahzae Cox | WR | Jr.

• His 37-yard catch in the first quarter was his longest since 2023 when he hauled in a 42 yarder for Fresno City College.
• Recorded 75 receiving yards on the day, the most of his Division I career.

#11 | Nick Vattiato | QB | r-Jr.

• Made his team-leading 26^th straight start today
• Finished 20-of-31 for 197 yards with a touchdown

#82 | Hunter Tipton| TE| Sr.

• Hauled in his first touchdown pass since 2023 at Northeast Oklahoma A&M and just the second of his collegiate career. Tipton grabbed a 4-yard pass from Vattiato just before the half to bring the Blue Raiders to a 14-10 score.

#50 | Ikani Tuiono | OL | r-Sr.

• Made his first Blue Raider start today when he lined up at right guard

Defensive Player Notes
#35 | Muaaz Byard| LB | r-Jr.

• Made his second career start today against Wisconsin
• Recorded a career-high nine tackles, including 1.5 TFLs, to lead the team against the Badgers

#18 | Kalen Woods | S | r-Jr.

• Recorded a career-best four tackles and matched his career high with two solo tackles

#25 | Jackson Lowe| CB | r-Fr.

• Made his first collegiate start at right corner for the Blue Raiders at Wisconsin
• He finished the game with a career-best five tackles to go with his first TFL

#47 | Chayce Smith | LB | r-So.

• Made his Blue Raider debut today against the Badgers
• Tallied a career-high three tackles on the day

#92 | Damonte Smith | DT | r-Sr.

• Recorded his first career interception late in the second quarter to set the Blue Raiders up at the Wisconsin 12-yard line. MTSU would score two plays later to close the gap at the half.
• After collecting 2.5 TFLs against APSU, Smith had 1.5 TFLs in the loss to Wisconsin to give him a team-best 4.0 for the year. Smith entered the 2025 season with 6.0 career TFLs.

Special Teams Player Notes
#99| Jacob Hathaway | PK | Gr.

• Attempted and made his first career Blue Raider field goal in the first quarter. Connected on a 27-yard FG to give MTSU an early 3-0 lead.

Up Next   
The Blue Raiders (0-2) will continue their road stand, heading next to Nevada next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT on MW.com and over the air on the Blue Raider Network.