Delaware Shocks FIU in first Conference Game

 Delaware Shocks FIU in first Conference Game 

 

It was the first meeting between Delaware and Florida International as both teams opened up conference play. This is Delaware's first taste of FBS action this season and a brand new member to Conference USA as they visited Pitbull Stadium. The Panthers were highly favored after winning the Shula Bowl against rivals Florida Atlantic. The Blue Hens entered this game only having lost one game and coming off a 44-41 OT victory over UCONN. 

 

 

 

 QB Nick Minicucci would throw for 218 yards pairing with his three touchdowns. RB Jo Silver had 66 rushing yards along with one touchdown. Delaware shocked Pitbull Stadium and went five-for-six in the redzone. They would score all but seven of their points from inside the 20-yard line. The offense would have a mighty 358 yards of total offense. 

 

 

 

What really hurt the FIU Panthers would be two early interceptions thrown by QB Keyone Jenkins which allowed the Blue Hens to do damage early. Delaware would go ahead and score on three straight possessions in the second quarter. 

 

 

 

In the second quarter it was 7-3 with the Panthers in the lead but a 68-yard return on a punt by Kyre Duplessis flipped the score to 24-7 in favor of the Blue Hens heading into halftime. Things didn't get better for FIU in the second half with the Blue Hens eating up the clock in the 4th with Viron Ellison Jr getting a score for nine-yards that would put the game to bed.

 

 

 

 

For the Panthers it was Kejon Owens leading his team with 74 rushing yards on 15 carries. Anthony Carrie had 73 yards on only six carries. Alex Perry would have 84 receiving yards and one touchdown on the night. The Panthers would fall to the Blue Hens by a final score of 38-16 falling to a 2-2 overall record and 0-1 in the conference.

 

 

 

 

 

Next up for the FIU Panthers is a road game visiting UCONN this upcoming Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by: Daniel Torres