Live updates: Colorado State football team plays Middle Tennessee

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Rams are on the road.

A good Group of 5 nonconference game awaits Saturday when Middle Tennessee hosts Colorado State.

The game kicks off Saturday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. MT/6 p.m. CT.

Follow along here for news live updates throughout Saturday's contest.

Colorado State wins

Rams barely hold on and win 31-23.

CSU punts after running some clock

The Rams killed about 4 minutes off the clock and MTSU is now out of timeouts.

Blue Raiders down 31-23 with ball at own 2:39.

Middle Tennessee touchdown

A 10-play, 75-yard in 4:45 ends in a Nick Vattiato 10-yard TD pass to Elijah Metcalf. Grady Kelly blocks the extra-point.

CSU lead is 31-23 with 6:34 to go.

Another Colorado State touchdown

CSU's defense blows up a MTSU reverse and Mo Kamara picks up a fumble and runs it in for a touchdown. MTSU was running a double reverse and the second one was blown up. Nuer Gatkouth forced the fumble at Kamara picked it up and walked in.

What a huge shift. The Rams score two touchdowns in 15 seconds to take a 31-17 lead.

Colorado State touchdown

The Rams turn the defensive turnover on downs into a touchdown with a long drive.

It ends with a 7-yard TD pass into the deep corner from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi to Tory Horton. Rams lead 24-17 with 11:34 to go.

It was a 13-play, 76-yard drive that took 6:42. The Rams had multiple third-down conversions and Dallin Holker had a couple big plays.

End third quarter

CSU 17, Middle Tennessee 17.

Rams have the ball 1st and 10 at MTSU's 45 to begin the fourth quarter.

CSU D forces stop

MTSU again was moving the ball, but CSU forced a turnover on downs at its own 24.

Rams ball with 3:16 left in third quarter, tied 17-17.

Colorado State touchdown

There's the drive CSU needed. Justus Ross-Simmons turned a 3rd and 6 screen into a 47-yard gain into Middle Tennessee territory.

On 3rd and 6 from the 7 Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi went through his progressions to find a wide-open Tory Horton for a TD. It made it 17-17 with 8:20 left in 3Q.

It was a 7-play, 80-yard drive.

CSU slow start to second half

The Rams did not take advantage of opening series to start 3Q, going 3-and-out.

The offense is really struggling with pressure right now. Need to get something working soon.

Halftime

Middle Tennessee 17, Colorado State 10.

MTSU kicks off to start second half.

Middle Tennessee touchdown

A brutal end to the first half for CSU. The Rams had the ball with 1:52 to go, but went nowhere and a poor 32-yard punt put Middle Tennessee in scoring position.

A 35-yard pass to Holden Willis should have been, at minimum, knocked down by Ron Hardge. Instead it put MTSU at the 4 and Nick Vattiato ran in for a score.

It's 17-10 Middle Tennessee with 16 seconds until half.

CSU pinned back

MTSU drove close to scoring territory but a hold moved the ball back.

A punt puts CSU at its own 5 with 1:52 to go until half, still tied 10-10.

Teams trading punts

After a frantic first quarter the teams have stalled in the second quarter.

We're halfway through 2Q and it's still 10-10.

End first quarter

CSU 10, Middle Tennessee 10.

Rams with two huge drops. Right after the MTSU field goal, CSU had Caleb Goodie streaking wide open and BFN hit him in stride but he somehow stumbled and juggled the ball into the air and it was intercepted.

MTSU has a 2nd and 20 from own 15 to start 2Q.

Middle Tennessee hits a field goal

Zeke Rankin hits a 32-yard FG to cap a 9-play, 61-yard drive for Middle Tennessee to tie it 10-10 with 58 seconds left in the first quarter.

CSU's Ayden Hector had a golden chance at a pick-6 on the drive, but a pass went through his hands and to a MTSU receiver for a first down.

Trick play TD

CSU snuck Giles Pooler in at holder on a field goal attempt, which allows the lefty QB to run a trick play. It was a 42-yard "attempt" for CSU but Pooler picked it up under huge duress flung a pass to a wide-open Dallin Holker for a 24-yard TD.

Holker also scored on a trick-play TD last week, catching a pass from Tory Horton.

CSU leads 10-7 with 5:03 left in the first quarter. This game is already crazy. It was a five-play, 57-yard drive.

Middle Tennessee touchdown

MTSU quickly strikes back with a 49-yard TD from Nick Vattiato to Holden Willis. It was a nice catch, but CSU should have found a way to get him to the ground before a long run after catch.

It's 7-3 MTSU with 7:09 left in 1Q.

It was a 6-play, 75-yard drive.

Colorado State strikes first

The Rams allowed one first down then forced a punt as MTSU opened the game with the ball.

CSU quickly moved downfield, with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi starting the game 6-6 for 56 yards to get the Rams into the red zone.

The Rams stalled at the 15 and Jordan Noyes kicked a 32-yard field goal. It's 3-0 CSU with 9:26 left in the first quarter.

It was a 13-play, 67-yard drive.

Kickoff time

It was a warm day, but the field is now in the shade and it will be a pleasant evening on the field.

Middle Tennessee won the toss and wants the ball. Rams kick to begin the game.

Mo Kamara sidelined for first half

As a reminder, CSU's star defensive end Mohamed Kamara is out for the first half to conclude his suspension for a targeting ejection from the end of the CU game. He is in sweats during warmups and will ramp up his prep to be second-half ready.

Tony Pierce will start at DE in his place, with Nuer Gatkouth maintaining his spot on the other side.

Rams on site

CSU is in the building at Floyd Stadium.

Keys to the game

A look at what Colorado State must do in Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee.

Read up on keys to the game.

CSU uniforms vs. Middle Tennessee

There's now no real question marks around CSU's uniforms on a week-to-week basis. It's white jersey, gold pants and traditional helmet on the road (barring a conflict with the opponent).

That's the look Saturday in Tennessee.

Ryan Stonehouse speaks to team

The CSU football team hosts a "Ram Walk" the day before every game when the team meets at the stadium, walks the length of the field joined in arm with any local former players.

Former receiver Thomas Coffman and punter Ryan Stonehouse joined Friday in Tennessee. Stonehouse spoke passionately to the whole team and then held court with 8-10 players for awhile after the walk. The Coloradoan caught up with Stonehouse after.

“It was awesome. I appreciate Coach Norvell for letting me come do it because you don’t realize how much you miss that college camaraderie, team atmosphere until you’re out of it," said Stonehouse, now the punter for the Tennessee Titans.

He spoke highly of Norvell and staff and the current team. He said the CU game last week brought a lot of positive attention, with members of the Titans staff coming to him after the game to talk about the Rams. He said CSU must use that game as a springboard.

"I feel like these guys are headed in the right direction," Stonehouse said. "This kind of stuff builds team character and it builds a team. When you have something you go through like that and you come right on the cusp of winning it builds the team more."

How to watch Colorado State-Middle Tennessee

The game isn't available on normal linear TV. Here's a guide on how to watch:

How to watch: What channel is Colorado State football vs. Middle Tennessee on? Time, TV, streaming schedule

Is it Middle Tennessee or Middle Tennessee State? An investigation

The story is from last season when Middle Tennessee visited Colorado State, but it still applies.

Look at the naming history of CSU's opponents and what to call them.

From last week

A lot happened in CSU's double-overtime loss to Colorado and in the aftermath. Catch up on everything with these links:

What's next after Rocky Mountain Showdown: What can Rams take forward from Rocky Mountain Showdown?

Deion Sanders condemns threats: Colorado coach Deion Sanders condemns threats against CSU's Henry Blackburn

Death threats: CSU football coach says player has received death threats after Rocky Mountain Showdown

How it happened: Colorado football team escapes Colorado State in instant classic double-OT win

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Live updates: Colorado State football team plays Middle Tennessee