ICYMI: FIU’s defense shows up for Friday nights matchup against UTSA. The offense did not. The Golden Panthers held the Roadrunners scoreless through the first quarter in Friday's loss.

With 46 seconds remaining, Florida International redshirt freshman Kejon Owens punched into

the endzone to give the Golden Panthers its first touchdown of the game. Unfortunately, it would

only close the gap to another loss at home.

FIU (2-4, C-USA 0-2) were defeated by the University at Texas San Antonio Roadrunners(5-2,

C-USA 3-0) 30-10 at home Friday. Despite holding the Roadrunners scoreless through the

opening 16:59, FIU struggled to produce on offense.

The FIU defense was everywhere to start the game against the Conference USA power house

roadrunners. UTSA senior quarterback Frank Harris was pressured intensely by the Panthers

defensive line, even getting stripped sacked near the end of the first quarter.

However, the Panthers were unable to march into the red zone offensively in the first half, which

gave the Roadrunners time to produce the first points of the game with a 44-yard field goal by

redshirt senior Jared Sackett in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

UTSA, finally breaking the scoreless cap that was due to FIU’s defense in the first quarter, went

on its next offensive drive and scored once again with a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior wide

receiver Zakhari Franklin via a fade route to the right side of the endzone.

The Panthers getting back on offense responded with a nine play drive down the field with a 41-

yard field goal by sophomore kicker Chase Gabriel to get on the board and to close the gap 10-

The Roadrunners, pushing down the field late in the first half, extended its lead, 17-3, with a 42-

yard passing touchdown to redshirt sophomore tight end Dan Dishman as he broke past the FIU

secondary and into the open field.

Down going into the half, the Panthers offense went to the air to create scoring drives through

the arm of sophomore quarterback Grayson James.

His arm did produce a scoring drive, but with an interception for UTSA that led to a nine yard

rushing touchdown into the endzone by redshirt freshman running back Kevorian Barnes.

Making the score 30-3.

The Panthers would try to replicate the solid defense that they started with earlier in the game to

try to give the offense a chance to counter the UTSA scoring drives. Unfortunately, Barnes, who

finished the day with 128 yards off of 20 carries, continued to slice through the defense as he

finished a eight play drive with another running touchdown for 2-yards.

Despite a last second touchdown by Owens to make it 30-10, the FIU offense didn’t produce

any points in the endzone throughout the game.

James only threw for 174 yards in the game. A size nearly twice smaller compared to UTSA’s

303 passing yards. The FIU defense led by sophomore linebacker Gaethan Bernadel, who

finished with a career-best and team-high tackles, couldn’t hold off the Roadrunners for long.

The Golden Panthers will face the Charlotte 49ers on the road Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game

will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

Written by: Brandon Hernandez

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