Oct. 15, 2005

Final Stats

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Eugene Gross rushed for four touchdowns as Middle Tennessee defeated Florida Atlantic 35-14 on Saturday.

It was the second straight victory for Middle Tennessee (2-3, 1-1 Sun Belt) after a three-game losing streak to start the season.

For Florida Atlantic (1-6, 1-2), Danny Embick threw three interceptions and was only 10-of-24 for 151 yards. Embick also ran for a touchdown. Charles Pierre also scored a rushing touchdown for the Owls.

Gross rushed for 131 yards on career-high 30 carries for the Blue Raiders. Ralph King had 97 yards on 22 carries and also scored for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee quarterback Clint Marks was 11-for-18 for 116 yards and one interception.

Florida Atlantic closed the gap to 21-14 in the third. An 18-yard pass from Embick to Thomas Parker gave the Owls a first down at the 1-yard line. Two plays later, Embick ran it into the end zone.

The Blue Raiders answered on their next possession on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that was capped by an 11-yard run by Gross. He took a direct snap and ran around the left end for the touchdown to stretch the lead to 28-14.

On Florida Atlantic's next possession, J.K. Sabb intercepted Embick and returned it to the 16-yard line. Five plays later, Gross's fourth touchdown iced the game.

The Owls didn't score until a 12-yard touchdown run by Pierre with 2:04 left in the first half that made the score 21-7.

Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 21-0 lead when Gross scored his second touchdown, also on a direct snap from center.

King's 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter made the score 14-0.