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FIU vs Central Michigan
It was not a fun start to the season for the FIU Panthers falling on the road to the Indiana Hoosiers by a final score of 31-7. The most important part is how you respond and the Panthers would have the chance to do that at home for the first time this season in the newly named Pitbull Stadium. For the first time on ESPN's college game day program the Panthers were highlighted with all the hype around the new stadium name. The Panthers would welcome in Central Michigan in which ESPN has them predicted to lose.
For FIU it was QB Keyone Jenkins going for two touchdowns passing while he ran one in for a third in an impressive performance. Jenkins would be the one to open the game up with a four-yard run followed by a 36-yard pass to Eric Rivers once the second quarter commenced. Jenkins would hit a 17-yard pass to Nazeviah Burris to extend the lead. Brian Blades would intercept a pass from Joe Labas for a 21-yard return making it a 28-0 lead.
With as bad as a game it was for Central Michigan, Labas would respond with some dignity hitting Gavin Harris making it a 12-yard touchdown followed by a two-point conversion from Evan Boyd making it 28-8 at the break. In the third quarter the Panthers continued the hunt with Kejon Owens with a 26-yard touchdown. Lexington "Flex" Joseph would find the end zone on a 35-yard run as the ground game was solid for FIU adding a 15-yard score for Luby Maurice Jr.
Jenkins would finish the game completing 10 of 18 passes for 124 yards meanwhile Owens would finish with 60 yards on nine carries. The Panthers would end the game with 185 yards rushing on just 33 carries. For Central Michigan it was Labas finishing the game with 20 of 39 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns but did through five interceptions. FIU would even their record at 1-1 with the 52-16 destruction of Central Michigan.
Next up for the FIU Panthers is a road game visiting Florida Atlantic for the Shula Bowl on Saturday.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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