Murfreesboro, TN – On a brilliant, sunny afternoon to play football, the MTSU Blue Raider “O” stayed ahead of the UTEP Miners over the course of the game, but the visitors’ “O” came back to tie the score on three different occasions. Not until 37 seconds remained to play did a Blue Raider stop of a Miner scoring threat on fourth down settle the score for a 34-30 victory for the home team. Both teams capitalized to score after turnovers. However, long, exciting scoring plays highlighted play for both teams in this game. MTSU QB Nick Vittiato passed for 242 yards on 18-of-35 passing while running for 100 yards on 14 carries. He threw for two TDs and one INT. UTEP QB Cade McConnell finished with 24 of 41 for 364 yards passing, two TDs and an interception. He misfired badly on the critical interception.
Offensive bout from the start
UTEP (3-8, 2-5) fumbled the ball away on its opening series to give the Raiders the ball at the UTEP 48. Frank Peasant ran it in for a nine-yard score. The Miners got their offensive act together with a 75-yard scoring drive. McConnell hit WR Kelly Akharaiyi (six catches for 138 yards and two TDs) who made a beautiful over the shoulder catch before going out of bounds in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown grab to tie. The Blue Raiders (4-7, 3-4) responded with a 62-yard catch and run by wide-open WR Holden Willis down the right sideline to reclaim the lead. UTEP completed a 43-yard pass to Torrance Burgess on its next series, but to no avail, and punted. However, they backed the Raiders deep in their own territory.
The Raiders stay in front, but…
In the second period, UTEP forced MTSU to punt from its 11. The trajectory was low, and Burgess, the returner, took advantage as the ball beat the Raider punt team down field to give him a running start. He charged up field and then crossed over to the far left pylon escorted by his blockers for a 54-yard touchdown. UTEP knotted the score, 14-14. On the ensuing Blue Raider series, they lined up to punt from their 33 on a fourth and two. Instead, the snap went directly to blocking back Jordan Branch, a 290-lb defensive tackle. It was recognized later as the Play of the Game. He rumbled 24 yards for the first down to the Miner 43. MTSU continued to drive. Vittiato connected with Willis (six catches, 105 yards, two TDs) on a crossing pattern this time for a 17-yard touchdown.
The sunny day seemed to affect the Miners several times this day. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced off Caden Harris’s chest to be recovered by the Raiders at the UTEP 18. The Miners held the Raiders out of the end zone. MTSU had to settle for Zack Rankin’s 38-yard field goal to extend their lead, 24-14. Late in the first half, the Miners took possession on their 15-yard line. A roughing the passer call moved the Miners to the MTSU 37. A screen pass to Deion Hankins put UTEP on the two. From there, Hankins ran it over for the final score of the first half to trail, 24-21.
The Miners pick their way back
The third period started similar to the first on the opening possession. An out pass to Harris was fumbled, and UTEP recovered at the 24. At 11:51 into the half, Buzz Flabiano booted a 33-yard FG to tie the score once again, 24-24. It didn’t take the Blue Raiders long to recover though. Five plays later, Vittiato connected with Zack Dobson on the right sideline for a 56-yard touchdown. The two teams exchanged turnovers before the third expired with MTSU in the lead, 31-24.
To start the final period, the Raiders called on Rankin to extend their lead with a 24-yard field goal. UTEP responded right away on their next possession following a procedure penalty. A screen pass left to Akharaiyi went the length of the field for an 80-yard touchdown. However, the PAT was missed. With 14:32 left and trailing by four instead of three, it changed the nature of the game for the Miners. They turned the ball over on downs at the MTSU 43. They forced a Blue Raider punt, and they started from their 12. DB Marvae Myers stopped their drive when McConnell threw the ball directly into his chest with no Miner receiver any where near him. The next MTSU possession resulted with a punt at the UTEP 37.
Raider D rises to the final occasion
Starting from their 20 following a touchback, UTEP moved the ball out to the 45 for a fourth and six. A pass to Akharaiyi kept them in business at the MTSU 43. They gained only eight yards on three plays. On fourth and two at the Raider 37, McConnell’s got sacked with 37 seconds remaining. Middle Tennessee (4-7, 3-4) went into victory formation on its last play to take the victory in the final home game of their season, 34-30.
Next, Texas for Thanksgiving!
The two teams finish at extreme opposites in Conference USA play next week. MTSU visits FBS newcomer Sam Houston State sitting at the bottom at C-USA. UTEP returns home to host first place Liberty (11-0, 7-0) ranked No. 22 in the AP poll. Collegefootballfan.com also travels to Texas this weekend to see two games, but neither of these. On Friday night, we plan to be in Austin to see No. 7 Texas (10-1, 7-1) host Texas Tech (6-5, 5-3). On Saturday night, we will be at a Sun Belt West finale between South Alabama (6-5, 4-3) and the Texas State Bobcats (6-5, 3-4) in San Marcos for our Thanksgiving weekend double-header.
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