Southern Miss
1-7 , 0-4
Middle Tennessee
4-4 , 2-2
Southern Miss Falls to Middle Tennessee on the Road
10/30/2021 10:22:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Backup quarterback Mike DeLiello ran for 77 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Middle Tennessee defense had five takeaways as the Blue Raiders defeated Southern Miss 35-10 on Saturday.
In addition to DeLiello's touchdown runs of 6 and 14 yards, Middle Tennessee (4-4, 2-2 Conference USA) scored off a blocked punt, a fumble recovery and an interception. The Blue Raiders entered the game tied with Iowa for the national lead with 20 forced turnovers.
DeLiello, who came on in the first quarter for the injured Chase Cunningham (lower body), completed eight of 12 passes for 78 yards. Trailing 7-0, DeLiello converted a fourth-down pass to DJ England-Chisolm on the way to his 6-yard TD run to knot the score at 7-7.
Less than a minute later, Tra Fluellen scooted 18 yards to score after a blocked punt and Middle Tennessee led the rest of the way. Jordan Branch added a 29-yard return of a fumble recovery as the Blue Raiders led 21-7 at halftime.
DeLiello added a second touchdown and DQ Thomas a 43-yard interception return for a TD in the second half.
Jake Lange threw for 166 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice and sacked seven times for Southern Miss (1-7, 0-4). Frank Gore carried 20 times for 83 yards. Jason Brownlee finished with a career-high nine catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.
The Golden Eagles will host North Texas in Hattiesburg on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
USM 7, MTS 0
USM - Brownlee,Jason 13 yd pass from Lange,Jake (Bourgeois,Briggs kick) 3 plays, 39 yards, TOP 01:01
USM 7, MTS 7
MTS - DiLiello,Mike 6 yd run (Rankin,Zeke kick), 7 plays, 29 yards, TOP 02:30
USM 7, MTS 14
MTS - Fluellen,Tra 18 yd punt return (Rankin,Zeke kick)
USM 7, MTS 21
MTS - Branch,Jordan 29 yd fumble recovery (Rankin,Zeke kick)
USM 10, MTS 21
USM - Bourgeois,Briggs 38 yd field goal 11 plays, 48 yards, TOP 03:35
USM 10, MTS 28
MTS - DiLiello,Mike 14 yd run (Rankin,Zeke kick), 7 plays, 81 yards, TOP 02:31
USM 10, MTS 35
MTS - Thomas,DQ 43 yd interception (Rankin,Zeke kick)
