2015 Week 9

Middle Tennessee State earned its second victory of the season yesterday in Fort Lauderdale. They watched as FAU staked itself to a 17-3 lead but the Blue Raiders came roaring back and scored 21 consecutive points to take control.

FAU quarterback Mark Rawls had his merry way with the Blue Raiders in the first quarter as he completed his first 11 passes, then hit five more in a row after the first incompletion.

After an early field goal by MTSU, the Owls almost went three and out but Rawls his his tight end, Scott Floyd for a big third down conversion and the drive resulted in a field goal.

Rawls would then get hot, directing his team to a long touchdown drive that ended in an 18-yard touchdown pass to Floyd. Anthony Singleton was picked off a few plays later, as he made a bad read and a worse throw. Rawls made Middle Tennessee State pay, throwing a 70-yard bomb to Willie Duncan as the Owls took a 17-3 lead.

Cornerback Terrance Haley turned everything around for the Blue Raiders. MTSU actually turned the ball over again, when Singleton found freshman wide receiver Brandon Douglas for a nice gain, but Douglas coughed it up while being hauled down. Things weren't looking good for the Blue Raiders. Rawls dropped back to pass and Haley never blinked as the ball came toward him. He highpointed the ball, picked it off and ran it back 63 yards for a touchdown, bringing the Blue Raiders to within a touchdown at 17-10.

The play ignited the MTSU offense in turn, as Singleton threw consecutive touchdown passes on nice drives and suddently MTSU had a 24-17 lead.

Freshman Josh Bentley caught the second of the two touchdown passes

"Anthony really got on a roll there after the big play by Terrance. We all know he's a big play guy, and he can do it with his arm or his legs. I was just happy to get open for him."

Although FAU kicked a field goal just before halftime, the Blue Raider defense gradually gained more and more control of the FAU offense. Rawls was picked off for a second time early in the second half, this time by Mike Ford. The Owls would manage just two field goals in the second half.

Still, they were within striking distance down 34-26 following the second of those field goals. FAU managed to push it past the 50 yard line with about five minutes to go, but middle linebacker Victor Harris forced a fumble, and cornerback Reggie Jackson recovered.

The Blue Raiders mounted a time-consuming drive that took the clock from 5:33 to 0:57 when Steven Day cracked the defense for a four-yard touchdown that put the game out of reach.