MTSU 25, FAU 24: 5 things we learned as Blue Raiders go for two, beat Lane Kiffin

Luis Torres

Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

MTSU's head coach Rick Stockstill celebrates an interception against FAU made by Jovante Moffatt (7) with Khalil Brooks (6) on the sidelines in the final seconds of the game at MTSU, on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

Middle Tennessee defeated Florida Atlantic 25-24 after converting a two-point conversion with 38 seconds left.

MTSU (2-2, 1-0 Conference USA) now has a leg up in conference play.

Here are five things we learned:

FAU's Devin Singletary (5) runs the ball against MTSU, at MTSU, on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

MTSU goes for two

It was a big decision by the coaching staff. With the kicking game struggling and after a Tavares Thomas touchdown run confirmed by review, the Blue Raiders converted a two-point conversion. Quarterback Brent Stockstill sprinted to his left. It looked like the play was breaking down, but he found receiver Gatlin Casey for the conversion and the win. Jovante Moffatt sealed the win with an interception with 10 seconds left.

"Coach Stockstill came to the sideline and he (asked the defense) 'should I go for two? Do you want me to go for two? Are you cool with it?,'" Moffatt said. "And we were like yeah go with it the defense got you."

Opening conference play with a win

MTSU is now in the driver's seat in the East Division. FAU was picked to win the East Division and the conference in the preseason. It's a win that will give the Blue Raiders confidence. MTSU will travel to Marshall, who defeated Western Kentucky 20-17 on Saturday.

FAU's head coach Lane Kiffen talks with Harrison Bryant (40) on the sidelines during the game against MTSU, at MTSU, on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

Lane Kiffin returns to the state

FAU coach Lane Kiffin made his return to Tennessee as a head coach. The last time he coached in Tennessee was when he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama when the Crimson Tide played the Tennessee in 2016. Alabama won 49-10. Kiffin was the head coach of the UT Vols for one season in 2009, going 7-6 before leaving for the Southern Cal job. He was fired by USC in 2013 amid a 3-2 season and landed as the offensive coordinator at Alabama for three seasons before taking the job at FAU.

“We did not play very well on offensive in the second half," Kiffin said following the loss. "Our defense did some good things and played the best defense we have all year. We got embarrassed in the second half offensively."

MTSU's Matt Stephenson (90) holds the ball as Crews Holt (18) kicks a field goal against FAU at MTSU, on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

Kicking game struggles in first half

MTSU's kicking game has not been good. Crews Holt made his first field goal of the season in the first half, a 33-yard kick. However, Holt had one other kick blocked and he missed another. Prior to the FAU game, Holt had one extra point blocked and missed another. The struggles contributed to MTSU going for the two-point conversion and earning the win.

MTSU's Tavares Thomas (21) runs the ball as FAU's Shelton Lewis (3) moves in for a tackle during the game at MTSU on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

Three starters return

Moffatt and Reed Blankenship returned to the starting lineup. Blankenship missed the Georgia game because of an undisclosed injury. For Moffatt, it was his first game of the season. He underwent two offseason shoulder surgeries. Thomas also returned for the first time since the season-opening loss to Vanderbilt.

"It was fun. It was fun to be back with the guys," Moffatt said. "Just being able to do it all again, my body hurts a lot. I haven't tackled anybody since the bowl game so that was my first time actually taking somebody to the ground, so I'm going to be in the treatment room all day (Sunday)."

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@dnj.com and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.