Troy 21, Middle Tennessee 20

11/25/2006 6:40 PM

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -Omar Haugabook threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:20 to help Troy University rally past Middle Tennessee 21-20 on Saturday.

With the victory, the Trojans (6-5, 5-1) are in position to capture the Sun Belt Conferences berth to the New Orleans Bowl.

Troy plays at Florida International next Saturday.

Haugabook connected with Smokey Hampton on a 19-yard touchdown strike with 2:19 remaining in the game to pull the Trojans within 20-14.

Troy recovered the ensuing onsides kick at the MTSU 42. Haugabook converted a fourth-and-17 situation with a 19-yard pass to Hampton between two defenders.

On the next play, Haugabook threw a 3-yard scoring strike to Gary Banks.

Haugabook completed 30-of-40 passes for 235 yards and the two touchdowns. He also added a touchdown rushing in the second quarter, cutting MTSU's lead to 10-7.

Middle Tennessee (7-5, 6-1) had taken a 20-7 lead late into the fourth quarter.

Desmond Gee threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Chicola on a tailback pass with 11:19 left in regulation.

Middle Tennessee built a 10-0 midway through the second quarter.

Colby Smith capped a 12-play drive with a 26-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter.

After stopping Troy on downs and forcing a punt, the Blue Raiders put together another lengthy drive.

MTSU capped a 12-play, 66-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run by Gee.

The Blue Raiders answered with a drive the final 1:44 of the half.

Smith kicked a career-long 48-yard field goal on the last play of the half.

Should Troy lose to Florida International, Middle Tennessee would be the conference champion and receive a berth in the New Orleans Bowl.