Middle Tennessee beats San Diego State in Hawaii Bowl

Associated Press
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022 12:30 a.m. | Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022 12:30 a.m.

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Middle Tennessee punter Kyle Ulbrich (13) holds as placekicker Zeke Rankin (7) makes an extra point against San Diego State during the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu.

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Middle Tennessee linebacker Christian Dixon (34) reacts with defensive end Jordan Ferguson (9) after recovering a fumble against San Diego State during the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu.

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Middle Tennessee quarterback Chase Cunningham (16) passes the ball against San Diego State during the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu.

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San Diego State cornerback Dezjhon Malone (32) is hoisted by teammates after he made a touchdown against Middle Tennessee during the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu.

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San Diego State cornerback Dezjhon Malone (32) breaks away from the Middle Tennessee defense for a touchdown during the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu.

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Middle Tennessee linebacker Christian Dixon (34) recovers a fumble over San Diego State running back Kenan Christon (23) during the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu.

HONOLULU — Zeke Rankin kicked four field goals, including a 37-yarder for the go-ahead score with 2:05 left, and Middle Tennessee State beat San Diego State, 25-23, in the Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night.

The Blue Raiders (8-5) overcome a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to turn back the Aztecs (7-6) in a game that featured six lead changes.

Rankin converted four of his five field goal attempts to tie the Hawaii Bowl record for field goals. He made kicks from 44, 49, 26 and 37 yards and missed from 42.

San Diego State took a 23-22 lead with 5:43 to play on a 52-yard field goal by Jack Browning, but Middle Tennessee State drove 55 yards in 12 plays, capped by Rankin’s 37-yard field goal to put his team ahead for good.

Middle Tennessee State finished with 170 yards of total offense to 364 total yards for San Diego State.

The Blue Raiders won despite allowing seven sacks and being held to minus-61 yards rushing.

San Diego State led 14-13 at halftime.

It was the first meeting between the schools.

THE TAKEAWAY

Middle Tennessee State: After being picked by league media to finish eighth (out of 11 teams) in the C-USA preseason poll, the Blue Raiders finished the season out in a strong way by winning their final four games, capped off by their sixth bowl in eight seasons and 10th overall in 17 seasons under coach Rick Stockstill.

San Diego State: The Aztecs were projected by Mountain West media to finish second in the West Division behind Fresno State. Their season saw personnel changes at offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and quarterback, which helped to spur five wins in seven games following a 2-3 start to the year.

UP NEXT

Middle Tennessee State will visit Bryant-Denny Stadium for its first game against Alabama since 2015 on Sept. 2. The Blue Raiders have lost all three of their previous meetings against the Crimson Tide.

San Diego State opens at home against Idaho State on Aug. 26 before back-to-back Pac-12 opponents in UCLA and Oregon State on Sept. 9 and 16, respectively.