MIAMI – When Jackson Vansickle lined up for the potential game-winning field goal with 32 seconds left in the game, both Charlotte and FIU were anticipating what would come next.
Some thought the 49ers kicker would get iced from the Panthers 48-yard line, while others thought he would go for it.
As Vansickle’s kick went up, it sailed wide right, sealing a breathtaking 30-29 win for FIU (3-1; 2-0 in Conference USA) and a heartbreaking one-point loss for winless Charlotte (0-5; 0-1 in Conference USA).
The Conference USA opener for both teams proved to be a thrilling Sept. 30 finish at Ricardo Silva Stadium in Miami, where FIU’s players and coaches celebrated in jubilation on their sidelines and on the field.
“It is amazing to see the perseverance, heart, and courage that these kids showed out there,” FIU head coach Butch Davis said. “There were plenty of opportunities for them to get down. But they kept fighting. We made some adjustments at halftime and told our players that you don’t win the game by one possession at a time. It was going to take 30 minutes, and it was going to go all the way to the end. I don’t know if I could be more proud of this group of guys.”
Led by senior quarterback Alex McGough (14-of-26 passing, 206 yards, TD, INT; 6 carries, 46 yards, 2 TD’s), FIU stormed all the way from a 19-point deficit (26-7) at one point of the game. The home team trailed 26-14 at halftime, but used the final two quarters to stage a 16-3 scoring surge and get the win.
FIU had at least two memorable scoring plays on offense in this game, one of which came on a spectacular 14-yard rushing touchdown by McGough in the second half. On that key play, the Panthers quarterback surged past a host of 49ers defenders and hurdled over one of them to reach the end zone, which cut the Charlotte lead to 29-27 with 12:43 left in the game.
“It was a good call,” McGough told media members in FIU’s postgame press conference. “It was a good block by the o-line. I just took what I had. I saw a guy coming this way and I just jumped.”
FIU would go on to take its first lead of the game, when McGough led the offense to a crucial field goal opportunity for kicker Jose Borragales. When he connected on a 27-yarder to split the uprights at the 7:44 mark, it officially completed the comeback for the Panthers.
As for the other spectacular score, it came on a 35-yard touchdown pass from senior standout and Delray Beach Atlantic 2014 alum Thomas Owens in the first half. Down 12-0 with 6:11 in the first quarter, Owens connected with wide receiver Julian Williams on a double-reverse pass that had McGough watching in awe.
From that point on, there was a sense in the air that something special would happen later on for FIU.
“I’ve never seen a [passing] touchdown before from the sideline,” McGough said. “But it was awesome to watch. I got to celebrate with T.O. right after that.”
Outside of McGough, Owens (1-of-1 passing, 35 yards, TD) was perhaps FIU’s best performer of the night, as he hauled in seven catches for 101 yards and a 6-yard touchdown grab with 43 seconds left in the first half. He finished with 136 all-purpose yards and two total touchdowns.
FIU sophomore running back and Delray Beach Atlantic 2016 alum Shawndarrius Phillips had 13 carries for 52 yards, in addition to two catches for 12 yards. He finished with 64 all-purpose yards for the night.
The two Atlantic alums, FIU teammates, close friends, and Delray Beach products combined for 200 all-purpose yards in the Conference USA opener.
Phillips was a key contributor to FIU’s 236 total rushing yards against Charlotte. Redshirt junior running back Napoleon Maxwell led the team with 76 yards on the ground in just five carries, while starting senior running back Alex Gardner added 16 carries for 62 yards.
With the win, FIU is now in sole possession of first place in the East Division of Conference USA. FAU (2-3; 1-0 in C-USA, a 38-24 winner over Middle Tennessee on Sept. 30), sits at second place in the Conference USA East.
NOTES: Charlotte sophomore defensive back and Suncoast 2015 alum Marquavis Gibbs, who lined up against Owens for much of the game, finished with five tackles against FIU (25 total in five games played this season). Meanwhile, Panthers junior linebacker and Palm Beach Gardens 2015 alum Milord Juste recorded two tackles against the 49ers.
FIU and FAU, the two South Florida teams in Conference USA, are the only programs with at least one win in the Eastern division. They will play each other in the Shula Bowl on Nov. 18 at FAU Stadium, which is a game that could be the deciding factor for the team that reaches the Conference USA title game in December.
Next game for FIU: Saturday, Oct. 7 on the road at Middle Tennessee (2-3; 0-1 in Conference USA), 3 p.m. kickoff
Next game for Charlotte: Saturday, Oct. 7 at home vs. Marshall (3-1; 0-0 in Conference USA), 6 p.m. kickoff
PHOTO CREDITS: Gustavo Chacon/Lemon City Live
