MADISON – Derek Mason went home Saturday night searching for answers.

“First games provide a lot of things that you look at and scratch your head,” the Middle Tennessee football coach said. “This is a scratch your head night.”

The Blue Raiders opened the season with a thud Aug. 30, falling to FCS Austin Peay, 34-14, at home. The loss was Middle Tennessee’s first to an FCS opponent since 2012 and Austin Peay’s first victory against a FBS team since a 1987 win over Kansas State .

There were a lot of tough numbers to swallow for the Blue Raiders. At the top of the list.

153 total yards against a team picked to finish sixth in the United Athletic Conference.

0-for-12 execution on third down.

206 yards allowed by the defense on first four possessions on the way to a 21-0 deficit with

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