FIU is One Win Away from Bowl Eligibility

On Saturday evening at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, the Florida International Panthers pulled off an exciting home-coming overtime victory over the Liberty Flames 34-27.

Liberty drew first blood with a 15-yard touchdown pass from QB Ethan Vasko to WR Donte Lee Jr, giving the Flames a 7-0 lead. FIU answered with QB Joe Pesansky rushing in for a 6-yard score to tie at 7-7 after the first quarter. The Flames regained the lead early in the second quarter on a 2-yard TD run by Vaughn Blue to go up 14-7. FIU responded later with a 9-yard touchdown by RB Kejon Owens to tie the game at 14-14. Liberty then mounted a drive capped by a one-yard plunge from Evan Dickens to grab a 21-14 edge. Just before halftime, FIU kicked a 39-yard field goal by Noah Grant to make it 21-17 going into the locker room.

Early in the third quarter, Pesansky connected on an 8-yard TD pass to WR Alex Perry to give FIU its first lead, 24-21. In the fourth quarter, Grant added a 40-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27-21. Liberty, though, stormed back in dramatic fashion: Kicker Jay Billingsley drilled two field goals in the final 2:48 of regulation- the second a 48-yard kick as time expired to force overtime at 27-27.

In overtime, FIU received the ball first and made the most of it. Pesansky completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Maguire Anderson, putting the Panthers up 34-27. On Liberty's possession, after some initial positive yardage, FIU's defense held strong. A sack by Keegan Davis forced a hurried pass by Vasko, which was intercepted by Mister Clark sealing the win for FIU.

Next up for the FIU Panthers is a home game welcoming Jacksonville State to Pitbull Stadium.

Written by: Daniel Torres

FIU is One Win Away from Bowl Eligibility