CUSA

From scout team to starter: How true freshman Nick Vattiato helped lead the Blue Raiders to their first bowl championship since 2017

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon sent the play to the huddle. With 6:24 left in the fourth quarter of the Bahamas Bowl, the underdog Blue Raiders were hanging on to a slim 21-17 lead. Freshman quarterback Nicholas Vattiato called the play in, looking in the direction of senior wideout Jarrin Pierce for a moment before they broke the huddle.