(BCSNN) — Jacksonville State rallied twice in the fourth quarter and leaned on explosive plays from Deondre Johnson and Cam Cook to edge Middle Tennessee 24–21 on Wednesday night at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium.

The Gamecocks (5–3, 4–0 CUSA) remained unbeaten in Conference USA play and notched just their second win in 14 trips to Murfreesboro. Johnson hauled in touchdown passes of 56 and 30 yards — the first two scores of his career — while Cook, the nation’s leading rusher, delivered the game-winner on a 3-yard run with 4:29 remaining.

Cook finished with 105 yards on 21 carries, marking his sixth 100-yard game of the season. He now leads all FBS backs with 34 runs of 10+ yards.

Jax State trailed 14–7 entering the fourth quarter before Garrison Rippa’s 47-yard field goal capped a 14-play drive to cut the deficit. After Johnson’s second touchdown gave the Gamecocks a 17–14 lead, MTSU (1–7, 0–4) responded with a six-play, 75-yard drive to retake the lead.

But Cook’s late score and a pair of defensive stops sealed the win for Charles Kelly’s squad, which heads into November atop the CUSA standings.