MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Dominic Bourgeois kicked a 49-yard field goal with five seconds remaining, and Aidan Singleton added a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff as Middle Tennessee beat Western Kentucky 51-42 on Saturday night at Floyd Stadium.
The Blue Raiders (5-4, 3-2 Conference USA) scored nine points in the closing seconds to secure their first victory over the Hilltoppers in seven years.
With the score tied at 42 and 31 seconds left, Roman Gagliano completed three of four passes for 42 yards. A defensive holding penalty also helped move Middle Tennessee into field-goal range.
Bourgeois, who had missed a 51-yard attempt earlier, connected from 49 yards to put the Blue Raiders ahead 45-42.
Western Kentucky (3-6, 2-3) attempted to extend the ensuing kickoff return with laterals, but the ball came loose after the second exchange. Singleton recovered it and scored to end the game.
Gagliano passed for 312 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Neo Clifton caught two scoring passes, while Ziyon Butler and Koraun Perdue each caught one.
Butler finished with career highs of six receptions and 129 receiving yards. His 65-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter was the first of his career.
Antonio Martin Jr. rushed for a career-best 125 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half that gave Middle Tennessee a 28-13 lead. It was his fifth 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
The Blue Raiders’ 51 points were their most under coach Derek Mason and marked the first time a team he has led as a head coach reached 50 points.
Korey Smith paced Middle Tennessee with seven tackles. Zeion Simpson-Smith added five tackles, including a sack.
Gagliano surpassed 300 passing yards for the second time in his career. His first such performance also came against Western Kentucky, when he threw for 383 yards in his first career start last season.
