Vattiato's 3 TDs, 342 yards lead Middle Tennessee past UTEP, 34-30
UTEP Miners vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Full Highlights
UTEP Miners vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Full Highlights
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- — Nicholas Vattiato threw three touchdown passes and accounted for 342 yards of Middle Tennessee's offense as the Blue Raiders held off UTEP, 34-30 in their home finale on Saturday.
The sophomore threw for 242 yards on 18-of-35 passing and added 100 yards on 14 carries.
Middle Tennessee (4-7, 3-4 Conference USA) built 10-point leads twice only to see the Miners rally to tie.
Vattiato hit Holden Willis with a 62-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead after one quarter, but Torrance Burgess Jr. returned a punt 54 yards to pull UTEP even at 14-14 to start the second quarter. Vattiato and Willis combined on a 17-yard touchdown and Zeke Rankin kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 24-14 lead midway through the second quarter but Deion Hankins capped a nine-play, 85-yard drive with a 2-yard run in the final minute to get UTEP within three, 24-21 at intermission.
After the Miners tied the game with a 33-yard field goal by Buzz Flabiano to start the third quarter, Vattiato hit Zack Dobson from 56-yards out and Rankin connected on a 24-yard field goal and a 34-24 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Cade McConnell was 24 of 41 for 364 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception for UTEP (3-8, 2-5).
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Game Information
2023 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 8-0 | 13-1 |
| New Mexico State | 7-1 | 10-5 |
| Jacksonville State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Western Kentucky | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Middle Tennessee | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Louisiana Tech | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Sam Houston | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UTEP | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Florida International | 1-7 | 4-8 |
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