College Football: Middle Tennessee defeats UTEP at the Sun Bowl, 48-32

The UTEP Miners were unable to win their second game in a row as they fell at home Saturday afternoon against Middle Tennessee by a final of 48-32.

Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game, as the Miners appeared to be a bit sluggish following their victory over Rice a week ago.

That win ended the team’s 20-game losing streak, but the Blue Raiders appeared poised to hand UTEP another loss after two quick touchdowns from running back Tavares Thomas.

UTEP would find life in the second quarter on a five-play, 54-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by Quardraiz Wadley that cut Middle Tennessee’s lead to 14-7.

But the Blue Raiders would answer later in the second quarter when Brent Stockstill connected with Ty Lee for a 25-yard passing touchdown to take a 20-7 lead (PAT was no good).

Stockstill would then find Zack Dobson just before the half on an 18-yard connection to give the Blue Raiders a commanding 27-7 lead. UTEP would answer with a field goal as time expired in the second quarter to make it a 27-10 game at the break.

Middle Tennessee would crush any hope of a UTEP comeback on their first drive of the second half. MTSU needed just five plays to reach the end zone again, this time scoring on a Chaton Mobley two-yard rush.

The teams would trade touchdowns the rest of the way, but the Blue Raiders were never truly threatened down the stretch.

Middle Tennessee moved to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in C-USA play to remain atop the standings in the conference’s east division.

UTEP fell to 1-9 overall and 1-5 in conference play with the loss. They will play at Western Kentucky next week before wrapping up the season at home against Southern Miss on Nov. 24.