MIAMI – The battle for Miami was all Hurricanes as they downed the FIU Golden Panthers in a 31-17 win.
FIU (2-2) would start the game off with the ball, but couldn’t get anything going as Miami’s defense would be stingy.
Miami defensive end and Lake Worth alum Johnathan Garvin led the Canes defensive charge on FIU’s first offensive series with one tackle for loss, a half sack, and pass breakup.
The Canes offense would pick things up late in the first on a 35-yard touchdown run by Travis Homer to give them a 7-0 lead.
After only two series, redshirt senior quarterback Malik Rosier was pulled from the game and replaced by redshirt freshman quarterback N’Kosi Perry.
The Canes opened the second quarter with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Perry to wide receiver Lawrence Cager, which made the score 14-0.
The famed Turnover Chain would make an appearance after a swooping interception by Canes defensive back Sheldrick Redwine. The Canes would score on 30-yard field goal by kicker Bubba Baxa to make it 17-0 with 2:30 left in the second quarter.
Perry would throw his second touchdown of the game on a 12-yard pass to Brevin Jordan.
The Canes went into the half with a 24-0 lead over the Panthers.
Miami’s defense was suffocating the entire first half as the unit only allowed a total of 16 yards to FIU.
Halftime leaders for No. 21 Miami: A pair of Palm Beach County high school football alums
OFFENSE
RB Travis Homer – Oxbridge Academy: 10 carries, 76 yards, and one touchdown
DEFENSE
DE Johnathan Garvin – Lake Worth: 5 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks
Perry and Cager would hook up for their second touchdown of the game on a 17-yard pass to extend the Canes lead to 31-0.
FIU defensive back Isaiah Brown picked off Perry to give the Panthers some life in the third quarter, but the road team couldn’t capitalize on Miami’s miscues.
The Canes (3-1) took a commanding lead going into the fourth quarter up 31-0.
Quarterback James Morgan and wideout CJ Worton connected on a 35-yard pass to get the Panthers on the board a little under midway through the fourth to make it 31-7. A 29-yard field goal by kicker Jose Borregales with 3:29 left in the fourth cut Miami’s lead to 31-10.
Morgan and Worton would hook up again for a touchdown with 1:35 left in the fourth quarter to cut the Canes lead to 31-17, which was the final score.
Miami’s defense was dominant and at one point held the FIU offense to 31 plays and 31 yards, an eye-popping average of one yard allowed per play.
During the postgame interview, Mark Richt announced the move for Perry to play at quarterback during the third series of the game was scheduled. But the Miami coaches
kept Perry in because he did well.
“N’Kosi is growing up,” Richt said.
Perry finished the game with 17-25 passing for 224 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Perry commented on his increased playing time.
“I was very comfortable,” Perry said. “They called my name and I was ready. I’m always ready. I’m ready for anything.”
Richt addressed the elephant in the room. He realized that everyone wants to know if Perry will permanently replace Rosier (2-3 passing, 16 yards against FIU) as the starter.
“We’ll decide this week,” he said. “We’ll figure it out. Like I’ve said in the past, we’re going to run whoever I think gives us the best chance of winning, that’s who’s going to play.”
Meanwhile, Homer would comment on his own struggles in previous games and having a breakout game today.
“The offensive line was doing great today and I’m just trusting the process,” Homer said.
LOCAL STANDOUTS: FIU
DE Jason Mercier (Delray Beach Atlantic alum) – seven tackles, one fumble recovery
DL Noah Curtis (Delray Beach American Heritage alum) – four tackles
DL Jamal Gates (Dwyer alum) – three tackles
LB Milord Juste (Palm Beach Gardens alum) – one tackle
LOCAL STANDOUTS: MIAMI
DE Jonathan Garvin – five tackles, three tackles for loss, half sack, and one pass break up
RB Travis Homer – 13 carries, 114 yards, and one touchdown
DB Gurvan Hall, Jr. (Palm Beach Gardens alum) – two tackles
DB Amari Carter (Palm Beach Gardens alum) – one tackle
LB Zach McCloud (Santaluces alum) – one tackle
Richt on Miami’s 14-point win over FIU:
“Like I told the team, we had a victory and that was great,” he said. “All victories are sweet. We are thankful for that. We thought FIU did a great job. They have a really good team. We beat a good team, which was good.”
Next game for No. 21 Miami: Thursday, Sept. 27 vs. North Carolina at Hard Rock Stadium (8:00 p.m. kickoff; ESPN; ACC opener)
Next game for FIU: Saturday, Sept. 29 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7:30 p.m. kickoff)
