MIAMI – The FIU Golden Panthers are starting to look like a threat after posting a 63-24 victory over UMass.

The Panthers (2-1) would get off to an early start with two touchdown runs. The first run was by running back Shawndarrius Phillips and the second by running back Napoleon Maxwell, as they jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead with 4:48 left in the first quarter.

Phillips was Mr. Everything for the Panthers in the first quarter: five carries for 35 yards and a touchdown; three receptions for 56 yards.

Phillips would score his second touchdown of the night on a 22-yard run to give FIU a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter.

The Panthers would score again in the second on an 8-yard pass from James Morgan to Sterling Palmer to push the lead to 28-10.

The Panthers would began to run away with the game before halftime with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Morgan to Maurice Alexander. The lead would extend to 35-10.

UMass would fumble the ensuing kickoff and FIU would recover, which would pave the way for another offensive score on a short run by D’Vonte Price.

At halftime, FIU’s lead would be 42-10 over UMass.

Alexander would shimmy his way down the field to extend the Panthers lead even further on a electrifying 96-yard punt return. FIU linebacker Rocky Jacques-Louis would intercept a UMass pass and go 59 yards for a touchdown.

Much of the third and fourth quarters would consist of UMass trying to fight its way back into the game. But the Panthers held tight all the way to the end.

Phillips finished the game with 16 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

“I can’t take credit for that,” he said. “It was my offensive line. I trusted them.”

FIU head coach Butch Davis would comment on the victory.

“You have to have a high expectation for your team to get better each week,” he said. “You want to play really good football, especially during the first month of the season.”

Next game for FIU: A short road trip to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22 to take on Miami in Week 4 (3:30 p.m. kickoff).