Miami, FL -- (Sports Network) - Paul McCall threw for 223 yards and one touchdown to lead the FIU Golden Panthers to a 31-21 victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a Sun Belt Conference battle at FIU Stadium.

McCall also led the ground game for FIU (3-3, 2-0 SBC), rushing for 53 yards and one score on just nine carries.

Phillip Tanner was the lone bright spot for MTU (2-4, 1-3), as the tailback rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Dwight Dasher and Joe Craddock both struggled under center, as the two quarterbacks combined for 72 passing yards and three interceptions.

The Blue Raiders struck first when Alan Gendreau nailed a 36-yard field goal early in the first frame.

McCall put the Golden Panthers ahead by a 7-3 margin with a nine-yard touchdown run late in the second frame.

Dustin Rivest extended FIU's lead to 10-3 in the final seconds of the first half with a 20-yard field goal.

Seconds into the third quarter the Golden Panthers used a 27-yard interception return by Anthony Gaitor to push their lead to 17-3.

Midway through the third quarter the Blue Raiders cut their deficit to 11 points when Gendreau nailed a 37-yard field goal.

A one-yard touchdown run by A'mod Ned pushed the Golden Panthers lead to 24-6 late in the third period.

However, MTU went into the final quarter down just 24-13, thanks to a three- yard touchdown run by Tanner in the final seconds of the third frame.

The Golden Panthers kept MTU at a distance, however, as McCall connected with T. Y. Hilton for a 63-yard scoring strike.

Late in the fourth quarter the Blue Raiders cut their deficit to 31-21 with a three-yard TD run by Tanner. However, it was too late for MTU, as the Golden Panthers were able to hold on for the 10-point win.