Recap: Middle Tennessee vs. Fla Atlantic

Murfreesboro, TN (Sports Network) - The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders rushed for 302 yards as they defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls, 31-17, in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams at Floyd Stadium.

Jordan Parker (117 yards) and Drayton Calhoun (104 yards) led the way for the Middle Tennessee (1-1, 1-0 Sun Belt) rushing attack. Quarterback Logan Kilgore finished 10-of-14 for 178 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Both passing scores went to Anthony Amos, who caught four balls for 102 yards.

For Florida Atlantic (1-1, 0-1), Graham Wilbert completed 25-of-32 passes for 260 yards and a pair of scores. William Dukes and Travis Jones each caught six passes.

After a scoreless first quarter, Middle Tennessee lit up the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Kilgore connected on a 38-yard touchdown pass to Amos, the lone score of the first half.

The scoring picked up in the second half as a three-yard touchdown run by Kyle Griswould gave the Blue Raiders a 14-0 lead at the 9:31 mark of the third quarter.

Vinny Zaccario put the Owls on the scoreboard a few minutes later with a 39- yard field goal.

Carlos Lopez responded with a field goal of his own (36 yards) late in the third quarter to bring Middle Tennessee's lead back to two touchdowns, 17-3.

The Blue Raiders made it 24-3 at the tail end of the third quarter following another Kilgore-to-Amos touchdown hook up, this time for 26 yards.

FAU scored its first touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Wilbert connected on a four-yard touchdown pass with Damian Fortner to bring the game within striking distance, 24-10.

Middle Tennessee answered however, with Calhoun running in a 29-yard score with 7:40 remaining in the game.

Wilbert completed an eight-yard TD pass to Byron Hankerson with 5:12 left in the game but the Owls would get no closer.

Florida Atlantic rushers were held to just 96 yards on 28 carries.