October 6, 2012 · @MTAthletics
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - ULM's strong offensive attack combined with some missed Blue
Raider opportunities lifted the Warhawks past Middle Tennessee 31-17 at
Homecoming on Saturday afternoon.
The Warhawks (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt)
used 500 offensive yards, while holding the Raiders (3-2, 1-1 SBC) to 307.
Despite trailing 24-3 early in the third, Middle Tennessee fought back to a
31-17 deficit. However, an interception in the fourth quarter sealed the
victory for ULM.
ULM controlled the time of
possession, nearly doubling the Blue Raiders with 39:54 minutes compared to
20:06. The Raiders lost the crucial turnover battle, giving up two fumbles and
an interception compared to just one Warhawk interception.
Quarterback Logan Kilgore threw
23-of-34 for 238 yards and one interception. Anthony Amos led all Raider
receivers with seven caches and 96 yards, including a 37-yard grab in the
fourth quarter.
Senior Benny Cunningham totaled 62
rushing yards on 14 attempts. The Nashville native registered two touchdowns,
making it nine touchdowns in the last 10 games for the tailback.
Defensively, Craig Allen led the
Raiders with a career-best 15 tackles. The senior bested his previous high of
10 last set against Georgia Tech a week ago. Redshirt freshman Kevin Byard also
reached double-digit tackles with 10 solos and an assist.
Early in the first quarter, Roderic
Blount's first career interception gave life to the MT offense. The Raiders
were stopped short of a touchdown, but senior Carlos Lopez knocked a
season-long 44-yard field goal to give Middle Tennessee a 3-0 edge with 8:36
left in the period.
On the next ULM possession, tailback
Jyruss Edwards barreled down the Blue Raider interior line to score a 16-yard
touchdown. The play capped off an eight play, 71 yard drives in 3:31.
As the Raiders were driving, MT
fumbled at the ULM 28 and turned the ball back over to the 'Hawks. ULM's Justin
Manton capitalized with a 32-yard field goal to give the Warhawks a 10-3 lead
with 11:41 left in the second quarter.
The Warhawks again continued with
big plays as Browning fired a 47 yard pass to Je' Ronn Hamm. Just a few plays
later, Hamm caught a three-yard pass to give ULM a comfortable 17-3 lead at
halftime.
In the first half, Browning
completed 16 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown. Middle Tennessee was held to
just 127 offensive yards in the first half and 29 in the rushing attack.
Kilgore was 10-of-17 for 98 yards, while Cunningham had 24 yards on five
carries.
A time consuming drive to start the
third quarter helped ULM manage a 75-yard drive to take a 24-3 lead.
A response of urgency was needed for
MT and the Raiders used Cunningham's eight yard touchdown run at 5:29 to narrow
their deficit to 24-10.
Middle Tennessee's momentum was
short-lived when a fumble at the ULM 31 gave the Warhawks life. Browning threw
a 28-yard pass to Tavarese Mayes on a fourth and seven. Just two plays later,
Donald rushed up the gut, giving the Hawks a 31-10 lead in the third quarter.
The Raiders again answered ULM as
Cunningham added his second touchdown, cutting the Hawks lead to 14, 31-17. An
offensive opportunity fell apart for the Blue Raiders after ULM's Isaiah
Newsome snatched an interception in the end zone with 8:25 left in the contest.
From there, the Warhawks used effective plays to run out the clock en route to
their Sun Belt opening victory.
Middle Tennessee hits the road for a
two game swing starting next week at FIU. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. Central
in Miami, Fla.
Craig Allen led the Blue Raiders with a career-best 15 tackles in the loss to ULM Saturday. (MT Athletic Communications)
