MIAMI (AP) — Phillip Tanner scored on a 3-yard run with 7:26 left in the game to help Middle Tennessee edge Florida International 28-27 on Saturday night to become bowl eligible.
With the win, the Blue Raiders (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt Conference) denied FIU’s chance for sole possession of the conference title. The Panthers (6-6, 6-2) will share the Sun Belt crown with Troy.
FIU had a chance to get itself in field goal range, but T.Y. Hilton fumbled after he caught an 8-yard pass from Wayne Younger with 2:38 remaining. Corey Carmichael recovered the fumble at the Middle Tennessee 27.
Younger replaced FIU’s Wesley Carroll after he appeared to get hit in the face and nose on a run.
Tanner’s score came 2:31 after FIU took a 27-21 lead when Darriet Perry scored on a 6-yard run. Tanner led Middle Tennessee with 62 yards on 14 carries and two scores.
