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Thomas helps MTSU hold off FIU 33-28




MTSU freshman defensive back Jakobe Thomas returns an interception for a touchdown that proved to be the game-winner in the Blue Raiders’ 33-28 victory at FIU Saturday. MT ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

MTSU freshman defensive back Jakobe Thomas returns an interception for a touchdown that proved to be the game-winner in the Blue Raiders’ 33-28 victory at FIU Saturday. MT ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

MIAMI, Fla. — Jakobe Thomas came up big in the Middle Tennessee’s final two defensive possessions Saturday, running back an interception for a touchdown to give MTSU a 33-28 lead over FIU, then picking off a pass on fourth down to ice the game and make his pick-6 the deciding score.

Taking a 20-7 lead into the locker room at halftime, the Blue Raiders (7-5, 4-4 C-USA) quickly took a 27-7 lead in the third quarter on Chase Cunningham’s second rushing touchdown of the evening. But the Panthers (4-8, 2-6 C-USA) had a counter punch in their final game of 2022, scoring 21 unanswered points to take the lead.

Pinned back in their own red zone, pressure for the Blue Raider defensive front led to a lofted pass into double coverage, where Thomas jumped the route and ran it 28 yards back for the touchdown. A desperation heave on the Panthers’ final drive was similarly cut off by the safety, who ran it back into FIU territory to clinch the win.

“A great college football game, man,”MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. “We knew it was going to be tough. It’s hard to win on the road. You can look across some scores today, how close everybody played. This is a very competitive conference.

“I told the team all week that you can’t take this team for granted. They’re going to fight, they’re going to give you their best effort for 60 minutes. We’ve got to match their intensity and be better at it, and I thought we were.”

Decorian Patterson had two first-half interceptions in the red zone, denying Panthers early points that led to the Blue Raiders’ early advantage. Izaiah Gathings, Yusuf Ali, DJ England-Chisolm and Jaylin Lane all recorded at least five catches, led by Gathings seven catches for 77 yards.

Darius Bracy (20 carries for 91 yards) led the way after Frank Peasant left the game with an injury after nine carries for 55 yards. Bracy and Chase Cunningham both scored rushing touchdowns, with the MTSU signal caller scoring on the ground twice.

Middle Tennessee will await news of its bowl destination, which typically comes after the conference championship games have concluded each season.

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