Murfreesboro, Tenn. -- This was certainly not a pretty game. Still, it resulted in a victory as Middle Tennessee took home "Harvey," the affectionately named trophy for the historic rivalry against Tennessee Tech. The season opener led to a roller coaster of emotions, from high to low, then back to high, as the clocks hit zero for the final time of the night.

As the game kicked off, the Middle Tennessee offense moved the ball downfield efficiently, quickly jumping out to a 21-0 lead on Tennessee Tech. While it might not have been the flashiest of plays, quarterback Nick Vattiato routinely converted third down after third down to piece together scoring drives.

On the opening drive, the Blue Raiders would go 5-5 on third down and end it with a three-yard touchdown rush by Frank Peasant.

Central Arkansas transfer Myles Butler was one of several weapons getting open as the coaching staff routinely substituted after each play. He was consistently open on third downs and in the red zone, giving Vattiato a big frame to target in essential situations. On what was most likely offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder's most impressive play call of the night, Butler found himself hauling in a touchdown reception wide-open in the back of the end zone to extend the lead to 14-0.

On the ensuing drive, Flip Credle had a pair of impressive runs, with the second one being good for a ten-yard touchdown to extend the lead to three touchdowns.

As Tennessee Tech looked to work its way back into this game, a play in the end zone was made, but that was to create a safety, as standout linebacker Aaron Swafford tackled Peasant in the end zone.

The Golden Eagles would add to their scoring total as Hayden Olsen pushed through a 46-yard field goal as the clock expired for halftime, with Middle Tennessee now leading 21-5.

As Tennessee Tech starting quarterback Dylan Laible left the game with an injury, Jordyn Potts entered the game and instantly affected the team's passing attack for the better. He would finish the game 23-33 with 211 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Those two touchdowns, one in each quarter, would be to graduate receiver Ashton Maples in the second half. The latter would make it a one-possession game, with the Blue Raiders still leading 24-18.

Sandwiched between the two passes would be a 33-yard Zeke Rankin field goal, but even that came as a struggle. The scoring opportunity only came due to a targeting call that took away a Swafford pick-six for the Golden Eagles.

The Blue Raiders' struggles continued, as Potts dropped a dime to receiver Jordan Yates late in the fourth quarter to tie the game. An extra point gave the visiting team a 25-24 lead with a little over a minute left in the game.

With just 66 seconds remaining in the game, Middle Tennessee needed to completely change the momentum with one final drive. Omari Kelly, who was highlighted this offseason as a standout playmaker, made a pair of impressive plays to put the Blue Raiders in field goal range.

However, Peasant wasn't about to leave it up to chance on a pressure-packed game-winning field goal opportunity as he burst up the middle for a 30-yard rushing touchdown. To create a seven-point lead, Vattiato would find Kellen Stewart in the flat for the two-point conversion.

After the ensuing kickoff, Brandon Buckner claimed a sack to pin Tennessee Tech deep in their territory, and that was too much for their offense to overcome.

At some points, it seemed that a 'Middle Miracle' would be needed, and this team delivered on that. This game perfectly described the phrase 'just enough,' whether it was converting third downs early or making plays when it mattered most late.

While it certainly was not pretty, and there is a lot to improve on moving forward, this game went the Blue Raider's way due to their fight to earn just enough victories in the situations that would decide the outcome of this game.

While the game might not have gone exactly as a fanbase yearning for a team to play to their exciting potential might have wanted, the ending of this game was a testament to the toughness and fight of this new era under head coach Derek Mason.