Venue & Game Details
Kickoff: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Venue: Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada
Surface: FieldTurf
Broadcast: Mountain West Network / Nevada Sports Net
Attendance Capacity: ~27,000
Weather Forecast (Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Temperature: ~79°F at kickoff, cooling to low 70s by the 4th quarter
Humidity: ~25% (dry mountain air)
Wind: Light, 4–6 mph from the southwest
Impact: Minimal — ideal for passing and kicking
Injury Report
Middle Tennessee
No major starters reported out; OL depth slightly thinned from camp injuries.
Nevada
No significant new injuries reported; QB Chubba Purdy fully active despite heavy rushing workload in Week 2.
Key Player Matchups
Nevada QB Chubba Purdy vs. MTSU Pass Rush — Purdy is the Wolf Pack’s leading passer and rusher (167 rush yds, 1 TD), but has thrown 3 INTs with no passing TDs. MTSU’s front seven has 14 TFLs in two games.
MTSU QB Nicholas Vattiato vs. Nevada Secondary — Vattiato has 3 TDs to 1 INT, but the Blue Raiders’ pass game averages just 158.5 ypg. Nevada allows 260 pass ypg.
Nevada WR Marcus Bellon vs. MTSU CBs — Bellon leads Nevada with 135 rec. yds and 1 TD; MTSU’s secondary has 1 INT this season.
MTSU WR Nahzae Cox vs. Nevada Coverage — Cox has 125 yds and 2 TDs; Nevada’s pass defense ranks 114th nationally.
Recent Form
Nevada Wolf Pack
W 20-17 vs. Sacramento State — Defense scored via pick-six; Purdy rushed for 112 yds and 1 TD.
L 46-11 @ Penn State — Offense shut down (203 total yds), defense allowed 438 yds.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
L 42-10 @ Wisconsin — Competitive early, but faded in second half.
L 34-14 vs. Austin Peay — Struggled to protect QB; gave up 10 sacks in first two games.
Series History
First-ever meeting between Middle Tennessee and Nevada.
Return game scheduled for Sept. 26, 2026 in Murfreesboro, TN.
Betting Trends
Nevada
1-1 ATS in 2025
1-1 O/U this season
-4 turnover margin (128th FBS)
Middle Tennessee
0-2 ATS in 2025
1-1 O/U this season
+1 turnover margin (45th FBS)
100% red-zone scoring rate (tied 1st FBS)
Game Odds
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 48.5
Nevada Wolf Pack – 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
