MIAMI – For the first time this year, FIU had no problem dispatching its opponent.
The Panthers (2-3) blasted the UMass Minutemen (1-5) in a 44-0 demolition job at home last night (Oct. 5). It was the most complete game of the season for the Conference USA team from start to finish.
FIU starting quarterback James Morgan was efficient, as he led the team with 19 completed passes on 31 attempts for 263 yards and two touchdowns. The two passing scores were thrown to wide receivers Tony Gaiter IV (seven catches, 103 yards) and Austin Maloney (two catches, 47 yards).
The rushing game for FIU was potent as well, courtesy of a standout effort from senior running back Anthony Jones (20 carries, 115 yards, one touchdown). The score by Jones came off a 6-yard run, which was followed an extra point by kicker Jose Borregales to give FIU a 10-0 lead with 3:57 left in the first quarter.
Shortly after Gaiter’s 30-yard touchdown catch and extra point from Borregales extended FIU’s lead to 17-0 with 53 seconds left in the first, the season’s best overall play (arguably) took place.
After FIU’s defense forced UMass into a three-and-out, senior Maurice ‘Hardtime’ Alexander caught a punt return from the Panthers 10-yard line and cut through a seam to outrun the entire Minutemen special teams for an electrifying 90-yard score.
Alexander made a few cut moves upfield and sped toward the sideline to evade would-be tacklers in the process. He toe-tapped his way into the end zone with relative ease.
The touchdown, followed by yet another extra point from Borregales, gave FIU a 24-0 lead with 14:33 left in the second quarter.
The first half’s final touchdown came at the :05 mark, when Morgan connected with Maloney for a 25-yard end zone pass. With the extra point by Borregales, FIU went into halftime with a 34-0 lead.
In the second half, running back Napoleon Maxwell scored on a 1-yard run to the end zone (4:36 left in the third quarter) and Borregales (three field goals made in the game) finished off the game’s scoring with a 45-yard field goal (1:03 left in the third quarter).
For the game, FIU gained 541 yards and allowed only 115 total yards to UMass.
LOCAL STANDOUTS FOR FIU
Junior linebacker and Dwyer alum Jamal Gates led all FIU defenders with six tackles. He also recorded a quarterback hurry against UMass.
Junior linebacker Josh Powell (Suncoast alum), junior defensive end Noah Curtis (American Heritage alum), and redshirt sophomore cornerback Josh Turner (American Heritage alum) recorded two tackles each. Powell also recorded a tackle for loss, while Curtis added a pass breakup in last night’s game against UMass.
Sophomore defensive end Jason Mercier (Atlantic alum) recorded one tackle (0.5 TFL) and a half sack (0.5) against UMass.
Freshman fullback Kamareon Williams (Atlantic alum) caught one pass for 15 yards against UMass. It was the first catch of his college football career.
NEXT GAME
FIU: Hosts Charlotte (2-3) in Conference USA play on Saturday, Oct. 12 – 7 p.m. kickoff
UMass: Travels to Louisiana Tech (4–1) for road game on Saturday, Oct. 12 – 7 p.m. kickoff
PHOTO CREDIT: Ronaldo Garcia
