FIU struggles to find any answers against Texas State, losing 41-12 in a lopsided defeat

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 FIU struggles to find any answers against Texas State, losing

41-12 in a lopsided defeat

Florida International sophomore quarterback Grayson James, after coming into the previous

game to save FIU from an upset loss against Bryant at home in week one, made his first

collegiate start in his home state of Texas. However, it would not be a game to remember for

James.

The Duncanville, Texas native, trying to force the Golden Panthers offense down the field, threw

an interception right into the hands of Texas State redshirt senior cornerback Kordell Rogers.

Leading to a 60-yard pick six touchdown by Rogers to extend the Bobcat lead by 29.

FIU(1-1) was defeated on the road by the Texas State Bobcats(1-1) 41-12 Saturday as the

Golden Panthers gave up two turnovers and struggled to convert much on the ground with only

62 rushing yards in the game.

Replacing opening-night starting quarterback Gunnar Holmberg, who is out due to a concussion

in week one's contest against Bryant, James completed 30-of-47 passes for 195 yards and

threw two interceptions before being replaced by redshirt freshman quarterback Haden Carlson.

The Panthers offensively lacked any progress going down the field, only scoring a touchdown

with 9:29 remaining in the game with a six yard rush by sophomore running back EJ Wilson Jr

into the endzone.

However, special teams for FIU appeared to be the most positive takeaway on offense Saturday

as sophomore kicker Chase Gabriel converted two field goals from 49 and 38 yards.

Besides the struggles in the offense for the Panthers, the run defense did not make an impact

on redshirt sophomore running back Calvin Hill.

Hill chipped away FIU’s defense throughout the entire game, averaging seven yards on 28

attempts. With no answers, Hill ran for 195 yards and scored a touchdown for 25 yards in the

fourth quarter.

On the other side of the Bobcats arsenal, redshirt junior quarterback Layne Hatcher went 50

percent in completions (15-30 completions) and threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite his poor performance, James believes this loss could be a opportunity for the Panthers

despite the result.

“It was not the result we wanted, and I’m disappointed with that,” James said. “But we can grow

as a team from this experience.”

FIU will have plenty of time to recoup from the lopsided loss as they go into the bye week. The

Panthers will be back on the gridiron Sept.24 to face the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on the

road.

Written by: Brandon Hernandez