NCAAF

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at UConn Huskies

· NCAA - Football
Final
44 - 13
1-8, 1-4 Home

Middle Tennessee breaks away from UConn in 2nd half, 44-13

Chase Cunningham connects for 25-yard TD pass

Cunningham had racked up 182 yards and three touchdowns in the first half — including scoring strikes of 25 and 18 yards to Izaiah Gathings and Jimmy Marshall, respectively, on Middle Tennessee's final two possessions before halftime to lead 24-13 at the break.

UConn (1-8) had scrapped into a 10-10 tie on a short pass from Steven Krajewski to tight end Brandon Niemenski and a career-long 47-yard field goal by freshman Joe McFadden on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter.

After Middle Tennessee (3-4) broke away with two unanswered touchdowns in less than three minutes, the lead was never threatened again. Cunningham threw completions to 10 receivers, Yusuf Ali led with five catches for 80 yards. Marshall had two TDs on four catches for 61 yards.

UConn scored its final points in the final seconds of the first half, settling for a 21-yard McFadden field goal as time ran out after two straight passes from the 4-yard line were broken up in the end zone by Middle Tennessee's Teldrick Ross.

Middle Tennessee came into Friday's game third nationally forcing 17 turnovers and had three takeaways against the Huskies, turning them into 12 points.

Krajewski completed 21 of 37 passes for 237 yards with a touchdown but was intercepted twice.

How To Watch

How can I watch Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. UConn Huskies?
  • TV Channel: Blue Raiders at Huskies 2021 College Football, week 8, is broadcasted on CBSSN.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Scoring Summary

MTSU FG 1st Period 2:46 Zeke Rankin 20 Yd Field Goal
MTSU TD 2nd Period 14:56 Jimmy Marshall 14 Yd pass from Chase Cunningham (Zeke Rankin Kick)
CONN TD 2nd Period 10:43 Brandon Niemenski 8 Yd pass from Steven Krajewski (Joe McFadden Kick)
CONN FG 2nd Period 6:18 Joe McFadden 47 Yd Field Goal
MTSU TD 2nd Period 4:02 Izaiah Gathings 25 Yd pass from Chase Cunningham (Zeke Rankin Kick)
MTSU TD 2nd Period 1:15 Jimmy Marshall 18 Yd pass from Chase Cunningham (Zeke Rankin Kick)
CONN FG 2nd Period 0:00 Joe McFadden 21 Yd Field Goal
MTSU FG 3rd Period 7:32 Zeke Rankin 32 Yd Field Goal
MTSU TD 3rd Period 3:02 Martell Pettaway 1 Yd Run (Zeke Rankin Kick)
MTSU TD 4th Period 12:31 Jarrin Pierce 24 Yd pass from Chase Cunningham (Zeke Rankin Kick)
MTSU FG 4th Period 7:16 Zeke Rankin 22 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2393.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originMTSU https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/41.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCONN
30 1st Downs 15
6-16 3rd down efficiency 4-14
2-2 4th down efficiency 1-3
473 Total Yards 304
318 Passing 237
28/40 Comp/Att 21/37
8.0 Yards per pass 6.4
155 Rushing 67
44 Rushing Attempts 28
3.5 Yards per rush 2.4
7-65 Penalties 8-75
0 Turnovers 3
0 Fumbles lost 1
0 Interceptions thrown 2
37:22 Possession 22:38

Game Information

Pratt & Whitney Stadium

Location: East Hartford, CT
Attendance: 10,698 · Capacity:
Full Standings

College Football News

Indiana president: Hoosiers' sudden rise expected under Cignetti

Indiana president: Hoosiers' sudden rise expected under Cignetti

Indiana president Pamela Whitten told ESPN that the Hoosiers' quick rise to the top of college football was expected when they hired Curt Cignetti.

Cristobal: Xavier Lucas' targeting call was 'unjustly administered'

Cristobal: Xavier Lucas' targeting call was 'unjustly administered'

Mario Cristobal speaks on Xavier Lucas having to sit out of the first half of the national championship game due to his targeting call in Miami's semifinal win vs. Ole Miss.

Mario Cristobal bemoans targeting call on Miami's Xavier Lucas

Mario Cristobal bemoans targeting call on Miami's Xavier Lucas

Miami coach Mario Cristobal says the punishment that goes with a targeting call made in the second half needs to be reevaluated.

Will Fernando Mendoza be a victim of the Heisman QB curse?

Will Fernando Mendoza be a victim of the Heisman QB curse?

Since 1988, seven quarterbacks who have won the Heisman Trophy and earned a title game berth have fallen in the national championship game. Is Mendoza next?

Miami looking to become latest team to win 'home' national title game

Miami looking to become latest team to win 'home' national title game

Miami will be playing in the championship game uniquely close to campus, but others have played for a title in their home state.