Middle Tennessee beats Memphis 17-15

Published Sep. 15, 2013 5:27 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cody Clark hit a 40-yard field goal with 1:49 left to lift Middle Tennessee over Memphis 17-15 on Saturday night.

The win improves Middle Tennessee's record to 2-1 and drops Memphis to 0-2.

Middle Tennessee led until early in the fourth quarter, when Paxton Lynch hit Alan Cross for a 1-yard TD and a 15-14 Memphis lead.

Clark's game-winning kick capped an 8-play, 42-yard drive keyed by a 25-yard pass from Logan Kilgore to Tavarres Jefferson. Memphis drove to the Middle Tennessee 37 before consecutive sacks of Lynch on the game's final two plays.

The Blue Raiders opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 7-yard pass from Kilgore to Kyle Griswould. After a 21-yard field goal by Memphis' Jake Elliot, Middle Tennessee took advantage of Memphis blunders to extend its lead.

Middle Tennessee led 14-6 at the half, thanks in large part to 11 Memphis penalties.