The 2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University das a member of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raiders compiled am overall record of 5–7 with a mark of 3–4 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for fifth in the Sun Belt. The team played home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In the second game of the season, the Blue Raiders beat just their fourth-ever opponent from a Power Five conference when they upset Maryland, 24–14. The three prior instance all came against Vanderbilt. The following week, Middle Tennessee came within inches of repeating the feat, when a comeback attempt against Kentucky fell just short. Schedule Game summaries Troy Middle Tennessee compiled two rapid-fire fourth-quarter touchdowns, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell short. Troy eventually finished the season as the Sun Belt Conference champions. Maryland After receiving the kick-off, Middle Tennessee quarterback Joe Craddock led an 80-yard, 10-play drive. It included a fake punt that caught Maryland off-guard and the punter completed a 28-yard pass for the first down conversion. Craddock ended the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass. On Maryland's second offensive play of the game, Da'Rel Scott broke free for a 63-yard run for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee re-took the lead with a 31-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Turner threw an interception which was returned 25 yards to the Maryland five yard-line, and then subsequently ran in for a touchdown. Turner then completed a short toss to Darrius Heyward-Bey who ran it downfield for an 80-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Maryland found itself inside the Middle Tennessee 35-yard line three times, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities. Middle Tennessee defenders saved two potential touchdowns with interceptions on their own two-yard line and in the endzone. The game marked Middle Tennessee's first ever win over an ACC opponent, although they had come close in Murfreesboro, TN the year prior, where Virginia made a field goal for the go-ahead with eight seconds remaining. It was Middle Tennessee's fourth ever win against an opponent from a BCS conference. The other three all came against Vanderbilt. Kentucky A week after Middle Tennessee beat just their second ever BCS conference opponent, the Blue Raiders came very close to beating