Nov 30, 2002

Final Stats

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - Dwone Hicks ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns to lead Middle Tennessee to a 45-28 victory over Utah State on Saturday.

Hicks surpassed the 100-yard mark for the fifth straight game. He also went over 1,000 yards rushing (1,011) for the third straight season.

The Blue Raiders (4-8) took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and held on despite 426 yards passing by Jose Fuentes, who led the comeback for Utah State (4-7).

Fuentes completed a 16-yard pass to Kevin Curtis, setting up James Samuel's 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down. Utah State took advantage of a 10-yard punt to cut the lead to 17-14 with 1:47 left in the half. Fuentes connected with Curtis for a 3-yard touchdown.

The Blue Raiders put the game away in the second half with 21 unanswered points. Andrico Hines threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry with 9:04 left in the third quarter. Hicks added a 6-yard touchdown with 3:17 left in the quarter, capping a drive which included a 69-yard shuttle pass from Hines to Hicks.

Hines scored from 4 yards out with 13:28 remaining.

Fuentes, who completed 31 of 53 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns, threw a pair of TDs in the fourth quarter, 79 yards to Curtis and 5 yards to Chris Cooley.

Middle Tennessee also scored in the fourth quarter when Dennis Burke ran 61 yards with a recovered fumble.