MIAMI- Middle Tennessee football (4-3, 2-1 CUSA) won a pivotal matchup on the road Tuesday night, taking down Conference USA foe FIU (3-4, 1-2 CUSA) 26-23.

Terrence Brown Jr. led the way for the Blue Raiders in the win, with a career-high 158 rushing yards on 18 attempts. The senior back's big night included a 54-yard rush in the third quarter, putting MTSU in front for good.

Following an FIU touchdown paired with MTSU kicker Dominic Bourgeois' fourth field goal of the night, the Blue Raiders faced a 4th-and-10 from the FIU 40-yard line with 1:38 to play.

Quarterback Roman Gagliano dropped back and fired a dart down the middle to Cam'ron Lacy for a 25-yard completion. A 14-yard rush from Brown on the next play set the Blue Raiders to drain out the clock in victory formation, finishing off an all-around victory to put MTSU over .500.

The Blue Raider offense came to life in the first quarter, on the unit's second drive of the ballgame. Gagliano found tight end Brody Benke down the left side for a 30-yard score. This marked the first career reception and score for the redshirt sophomore Benke.

Bourgeois had a standout night for the Blue Raiders, going 4-for-4 including two kicks from 50 yards or farther. This marked the first time in school history a kicker made two or more kicks from 50-plus in a game.

On the defensive side of the ball, MTSU was once again led by cornerback Jackson Lowe. The Brentwood, Tennessee native had a team-high six tackles. The unit as a whole forced three turnovers, including an interception by defensive lineman Mathias Malaki-Donaldson.

By the Numbers:

183:Terrence Brown Jr.'s career night included 158 rushing yards on the group, but his impact was not limited there. Brown added 25 receiving yards for 183 all-purpose yards.

2: Dominic Bourgeois became the first Blue Raider to knock in two field goals from 50 yards or further in a single game. He now also owns the program record for made kicks from 50 yards in a season, with three.

5:Roman Gagliano is now up to five games this season without committing a turnover after a meticulous performance on Tuesday night.

MTSU Game Notes
• The Blue Raiders blocked a field goal attempt for the first time since November 12, 2022 when Decorian Patterson blocked a field goal against Charlotte. It marks the second game in a row where MTSU has blocked a kick, blocking an extra point attempt last week against Delaware.
• With win No. 4 on the year, head coach Derek Mason has set a new Blue Raider high for single season victories for himself.
• Mason has already matched his best single season conference win total, with five more games still to play in the campaign.