(BCSNN) — The University of Delaware football team held off a late surge from Middle Tennessee to secure a 31–28 victory Wednesday night at Delaware Stadium. The win, broadcast nationally on ESPN2, lifted the Fightin’ Blue Hens to 4–3 overall and 2–2 in Conference USA play, while the Blue Raiders dropped to 1–6 (0–3 CUSA).

Quarterback Nick Minicucci set the tone early, connecting with Jourdan Wilson on a 22-yard touchdown pass up the seam to open the scoring. Middle Tennessee responded with a five-yard touchdown pass, then capitalized on a Delaware fumble to take a 14–7 lead late in the first quarter. Minicucci and Wilson struck again early in the second, tying the game at 14–14 with a 10-yard touchdown. Kicker Nate Reed followed with a career-long 49-yard field goal to give the Hens a 17–14 edge.

Delaware extended its lead before halftime as Minicucci found Jordan Duplessis on a four-yard sprint to the pylon, capping a three-touchdown first half. The Blue Hens defense came up big in the third quarter, with safety Kahlil Ali tipping a pass that was intercepted by Seay. Though Middle Tennessee cut the lead to 24–21 with an 11-yard touchdown pass, Duplessis answered with his second score of the night—a nine-yard grab in the corner of the end zone—to restore a 10-point cushion.

Defensive tackle Keyshawn Hunter recovered a fumble with just over three minutes remaining to help Delaware preserve its lead. Middle Tennessee added a late touchdown with 1:03 left, but the Blue Hens recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.

Minicucci opened the game with nine consecutive completions, the fourth-longest streak to start a game in program history. Delaware improved to 7–0 under head coach Ryan Carty when wearing black uniforms and remains undefeated (23–0) under Carty when scoring 30 or more points. The Hens are also 25–2 when leading at halftime and 28–1 when leading after three quarters during his tenure.

Delaware travels to Liberty on Saturday, Nov. 1, for a 3 p.m. kickoff on CBSSN.