MIAMI – The FIU Panthers Conference USA Eastern Division title dreams were crashed by Marshall.
Marshall jumped on FIU quick as it scored twice in the opening quarter.
The first score came on a 16-yard pass from Isaiah Green to wideout Tyre Brady. The Herd’s defense would come up with a big 25-yard pick six from Omari Cobb to make it 14-0 with 4:41 left in the first.
FIU found some life late in the first and scored on a 22-yard field goal by kicker Jose Borregales to make it 14-3 heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter opened for FIU with a 10 play, 56 yard drive that ended on a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Anthony Jones to cut Marshall’s lead to 14-10.
There would be a momentum shift with a little over four minutes left in the second quarter, as Marshall shanked a 25-yard field goal that energized the Panthers after being able to hold Marshall to no score.
With a little over a minute left in the first half, Morgan connected with wideout Austin Maloney on a 24-yard pass to put the Panthers deep in Marshall territory. But FIU couldn’t capitalize in the red zone before halftime.
Down by four, the FIU defense came up with a big interception by Richard Dames on Marshall’s opening offensive drive of the second half. The offense couldn’t capitalize after the penalty, and Borregales missed his second field goal of the day.
Dames would come up with his second interception of the game for the Panthers to stop Marshall. Meanwhile, FIU’s offense would go three-and-out but have its fourth down punt blocked and recovered by Marshall in the end zone for a touchdown.
The FIU special teams turnover occurred with a little over a minute left in the third quarter to make it 21-10 in favor of Marshall.
Christian Alexander would come in at quarterback for the Panthers to start the fourth and make an instant impact. He scored on an 8-yard run to make it 21-18 after a converted two-point conversion on a throwback pass play throw from Maurice Alexander to Christian Alexander.
“I was unbelievably proud of Christian when he came in,” Butch said. “I’m very proud of him and grateful for his contribution.”
As much momentum as the Panthers mustered up, the Herd’s offense responded on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Green to Brady, their second time hooking up for a score against FIU’s defense to make it 28-18.
Morgan would come back into the game and get the Panthers within striking distance. Running back Napoleon Maxwell closed the scoring gap for FIU with 4:47 left in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 28-25.
Marshall’s late game running attack was lethal as it was able to control nearly all of the final five minutes of the game to take down FIU, 28-25.
“The kids fought back,” Davis said. “Tried to put themselves in position to try and pull this thing off. I told the team in the locker room I’m proud of them. I know everyone’s sick of losing and no one likes to lose. As a coach you like the fact that your team never quit.”
FIU’s record is now 8-4, 6-2 in Conference USA, while Marshall’s record improves to 8-3, 6-2 in Conference USA. Both teams will await the announcement of their respective bowl destinations on Sunday, Dec. 2, which is dubbed as Selection Sunday.
