MIAMI – Our area players are making a significant impact on FIU’s success early in the season.

Junior running back Shawndarrius Phillips, who is part of head coach Butch Davis’s “running back by committee”, was the difference maker during the second half of FIU’s 28-20 comeback win over Old Dominion in Week 2.

Leading all running back with 18 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown, he muscles his way toward the end zone for a game-tying 2-yard run in the third quarter. The Delray Beach Atlantic alum’s score tied things up at 20-20, just before kicker Jose Borrageales connected on a key extra point that put FIU ahead to stay at 21–20.

In two games this season, the Delray Beach native has racked up 29 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He’s probably looking to eclipse at least 1,000 rushing yards this season, a feat that seems to be realistic at this time.

Meanwhile, FIU sophomore defensive lineman and Delray Beach American Heritage alum Noah Curtis had a coming-out moment against Old Dominion. He helped lead the Golden Panthers to a stellar performance in which he recorded six tackles, which was good for third most on the team.

In two games the season, Curtis has amassed 10 tackles. We’re looking for him to emerge as a force on the Golden Panthers defensive front over the next few years.

With that said, FIU’s Players of the Game were Phillips, Curtis, wide receiver Tony Gaiter IV (2 catches, 18 yards, touchdown in second quarter against Old Dominion; started FIU’s comeback effort by cutting ODU’s lead to 20-14) and defensive lineman Anthony Johnson (four tackles against Old Dominion).

FIU (1–1) is 1-0 in Conference USA play, good for first place at this time.

Next game: Home against UMass (1-2) on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.