MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Quarterback Dwight Dasher threw for one
touchdown, rushed for another score and collected 410 yards of
offense Saturday night to lead Middle Tennessee to a 21-7 victory
over Memphis.
Dasher's 61-yard scoring run with 3:46 left put the Blue Raiders
ahead for good. He finished the night with 180 yards rushing on 19
carries, and completed 16-of-26 passes for 230 yards.
DeMarco McNair caught Dasher's touchdown pass on a 55-yard play
to open the scoring. McNair would add a 1-yard run in the third
quarter.
Middle Tennessee (2-5) suffered through a night of turnovers as
the Blue Raiders threw two interceptions and lost a pair of
fumbles. Memphis (2-4) couldn't convert any of them into points.
Even when the Blue Raiders failed on a fake field goal with just
over 5 minutes left, the Tigers couldn't move the ball, punting it
away.
On the next play, Dasher dashed for his 61-yard touchdown,
sending most of the Tiger fans heading to the parking lot.
Reserve quarterback Will Hudgens, subbing for injured Tiger
starter Martin Hankins, was unable to repeat his performance
against Marshall 11 days earlier when he threw for a career-high
346 yards in a Tiger victory.
Saturday night his passes were off the mark, and he managed only
134 yards through the air, completing 13 of 35 passes, missing
connections on 10 of his last 12 throws.
The teams were tied 7-7 at intermission after first half where
both teams moved the ball but were hindered by mistakes.
The Blue Raiders scored on their first possession when Dasher
connected with McNair, capping an 80-yard drive in seven plays.
The Tigers answered later in the first quarter with their own
80-yard march that culminated with a 19-yard pass from Hudgens to
Duke Calhoun.
The Tigers kicking woes continued as Matt Reagan couldn't
convert a 47-yard field goal. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee threw an
interception and lost a fumble in the half.
The mistakes continued in the second half as Dasher threw his
first interception of the season, picked off by Memphis defensive
back Brandon Patterson, thwarting a Middle Tennessee drive deep in
Tiger territory.
Instead of seizing the opportunity, Memphis running back T. J.
Pitts fumbled, and Middle Tennessee's Tavares Jones recovered at
the Memphis 14, giving the Blue Raiders the ball back.
This time Middle Tennessee converted the turnover into McNair's
second touchdown, this one on a 1-yard run.
The Middle Tennessee defense held the Tigers to 65 yards of
offense.