Middle Tennessee poses on midfield with the 2022 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl trophy at the University of Hawaii's Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Christmas Eve. CJ Caraang | SL

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Middle Tennessee poses on midfield with the 2022 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl trophy at the University of Hawaii's Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Christmas Eve. CJ Caraang | SL

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Middle Tennesee rallied from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to turn back San Diego State, 25-23, in a back and forth affair at the Hawaii Bowl.

Zeke Rankin converted four of five field goal attempts, including a go-ahead 37-yarder with 2:05 left, to tie the Hawaii Bowl record for field goals. He missed one from 42 yards out, but made kicks from 44, 49 and 26 in addition to the game clincher.

With 5:43 left in regulation, San Diego State took a 23-22 lead on a 52-yard field goal by Jack Browning, but Middle Tennessee State responded, driving the ball 55 yards in 12 plays, and Rankin's 37-yard field goal put the Blue Raiders ahead for good.

Chase Cunningham completed 26-of-43 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns for the Blue Raiders, and  Jaylin Lane had 10 receptions for 111 yards, including a 16-yard TD grab.

Middle Tennessee State finished with 170 yards of total offense to 364 total yards for San Diego State.

Former Punahou standout Seyddrick Lakalaka had six tackles and a QB hurry in his final college game.