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The Panthers defense built momentum for FIU on its way to a blowoutvictory in Charlotte
At Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Panthers were driving once again
down the field with the ball placed on the five yard line on Charlottes’ side of the field. With a
lofty pass toward the right side of the endzone, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Kris Mitchell
snagged the ball mid air for a touchdown on a career-high night.
The Florida International Panthers (3-4, C-USA 1-2) defeated the Charlotte 49ers (1-7, C-USA
0-4) 34-15 on the road Saturday for FIU’s first victory in Conference USA this year. The
Panthers defense impressed, forcing five turnovers throughout the game as the offense
produced.
On the opening drive of the game, Charlotte redshirt senior quarterback Chris Reynolds stepped
back into the pocket as the Panthers defense collided with the 49ers offensive line and
overcame them as redshirt junior linebacker Shaun Peterson Jr flew in on Reynolds blind side
and stripped the ball away to force a fumble. It was recovered by FIU to give Panthers
sophomore quarterback Grayson James a start to the game on the Charlotte side of the field.
With a little over a minute of possession with the ball, the Panthers scored with a 12-yard
rushing touchdown by James to take an early 7-0 lead on the road.
FIU’s defense was playing the role of a brick wall Saturday, only allowing the 49ers to run 60
yards throughout the day and sacking the quarterback three times in the pass rushing blitz
called by head coach Mike MacIntyre. In result, the Panthers offense had the ability to run up a
lead with no response from Charlotte.
The next offensive possession for FIU would be an example of that as a six play drive was
finished by another rushing touchdown by James for 9-yards into the endzone to extend the
Panthers lead, 14-0, in the first quarter.
FIU kept attacking on the ground as they took possession near the end of the first and scored
another touchdown in the opening minutes of the second quarter with a short run into the
endzone by junior running back Lexington Joseph.
After another forced fumble by the Panthers defense brought James and the offense back onto
the field around the 40 yard line on Charlotte's side, a pass completed to Mitchell near the right
sideline of the 15 set up a rushing touchdown by Joseph down the middle of the field for his
second of the game.
Another 49ers turnover, via Reynolds throwing the ball toward the direction of redshirt freshman
defensive back Demetrius Hill for an interception, gave the Panthers the ball back once again
before the end of the half.
FIU marched down the field until they were stopped for a fourth and goal at Charlotte’s eight
yardline to give sophomore kicker Chase Gabriel an opportunity to stack more points on the
board with a 11-yard field goal. Unfortunately for Gabriel, the kick was blocked into the air and
sailed out of bounds behind the endzone. The first mistake of the game for the Panthers.
The Panthers went into halftime up 27-0, the largest lead this season that FIU has had going
into the midway point of a game.
To start the third quarter, Florida International was rolling into the red zone after a few big
completions in the air that included a 36-yard dime thrown to senior wide receiver Tyrese
Chambers to set the Panthers five yards away from another touchdown. However, the goal line
defense of the 49ers held FIU back as James threw the ball into the endzone to have it picked
off by Charlotte redshirt junior defensive back Wayne Jones for the first turnover against FIU.
The quarter would continue to be a battle of the defenses as both sides adapted to one
another's offense until late in the quarter after a eight play drive by FIU scored with a 5-yard
over-the-shoulder passing touchdown to Mitchell to give the Panthers a 34-0 lead.
After throwing three interceptions in the game, Reynolds would construct Charlotte’s first scoring
drive of the game for 90 yards and six plays in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. The drive
was finished with the Mocksville, North Carolina, native quarterback sneaking into the endzone
for a 2-yard touchdown.
Besides a late touchdown by pass by redshirt junior quarterback James Foster, who checked
into the game midway through the ending quarter, to redshirt sophomore running back Shadrick
Byrd and a two-point conversion by the 49ers to close the gap 34-15, FIU would wind the clock
down to secure its third victory of the season and second on the road.
FIU wide receiver Mitchell ended the day with a career-high 84 yards off of eight receptions and
quarterback James finished with an efficient stat sheet by throwing for 306 yards with a 76.47
completion percentage, despite throwing one interception in the second half.
Florida International will travel back to Miami to host Louisiana Tech at FIU Stadium Friday at 8
p.m. The game will be broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network.
Written by: Brandon Hernandez
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