Box Score MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- Savannah State defensive back Alfred Ansley had a big night for the Tigers with a game-high 11 tackles along with a fumble recovery and a interception but it would not be enough as the Tigers dropped their 2014 season opener to Middle Tennessee State, 61-7.
 
The start of the game had a 23-minute lightening delay but the of crowd of 15,605 who braved the rain saw the Blue Raiders (1-0) roll up 519 yards of offense as they scored on their first four possessions.
 
Shane Tucker scored twice for MTSU in the first quarter with a 13 yard run and a five yard reception. The PAT failed on the first touchdown and the Raiders held a 13-0 lead.
 
AJ Erdley gave MTSU a 20-0 lead with 3:12 left in the first quarter after a three yard touchdown run.
 
Jeremiah Bryson had a touchdown run of three yards to give the Raiders a 27-0 advantage with 12:15 left in the second quarter.
 
The Tigers could only move the ball three yards on their next possession but Jared Singletary fumbled a Jacob Thomas punt that was recovered at the MTSU 49 by Ansley.
 
SSU drove to the Middle Tennessee 27 before turning the ball over on downs.
 
The Tigers got ball right back on the next play from scrimmage.
 
Austin Grammer completed a pass to Demetrius Frazier but Frazier fumbled and SSU's Jovanta Mobley recovered at the MTSU 31.
 
SSU could not take advantage of the situation and did not score.
 
One possession later, MTSU drove the ball 80 yards and Bryson scored on a seven yard run to give the Raiders a 34-0 lead with 1:33 left before intermission.
 
Middle Tennessee ran their advantage to 54-0 early in the third quarter.
 
Trey Wafford returned a SSU fumble 20 yards for a touchdown, Ed'Marques Batties returned a SSU punt 61 yards for a score and Jordan Parker scored on a one yard run.
 
Savannah State drove to the Raiders 17 on their next possession but John Barron's field goal attempt was blocked.
 
Late in the quarter, SSU seemed to gain some momentum.
 
MTSU was driving on the Tigers but Ansley picked off a Brent Stockstill pass and returned it 13 yards to the SSU 35.
 
The Tigers took advantage of the opportunity and drove 50 yards and nine plays for a touchdown with 12:12 left in the contest as Anthony Criswell scored on a four yard run. Barron added the extra point and SSU cut their deficit to 54-7.
 
MTSU added a touchdown with 4:43 remaining to make the score 61-7.
 
Savannah State's "Air Raid" offense gained 229 yards for the day.
 
Ker-Sean Wilson passed for 84 yards while Criswell ran for 46. Deron London caught three passes for 22 yards.
 
MTSU was led by Grammer's 250 yards passing. Reggie Whatley ran for 65 yards while Marcus Henry caught three passes for 84 yards. Quay Watt had seven tackles for the defense.
 
SSU (0-1) played several freshmen in the contest and head coach Earnest Wilson III thinks the squad did some good things. "I just think it was hard for them to get a rhythm. You have to remember, you're playing with five or six freshmen on each side of the ball. But they're talented guys."
 
Quarterback Ker-Sean Wilson stated that the team needs to put the loss behind them and prepare for the next opponent. "We let the weather get to us a little but that's no excuse. We have to go back to practice, watch film this week, and just prepare for the next one and put this behind us. There's a lot to learn from this game. I think we're headed in the right direction."