ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Temple defeated FIU 28-3 in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl as the Golden Panthers struggled without starting quarterback Alex McGough.

FIU and Temple did not give ground early on in the game as both defenses forced multiple three-and-outs.

McGough left the game with a broken collarbone with ‪10:49‬ left in first quarter, with backup quarterback Maurice Alexander taking over in the process.

On his very first play from scrimmage, Alexander was sacked and the FIU offense stalled after a promising drive.

FIU would recover a fumbled lateral pass by Temple, but on the ensuing play Alexander would throw an interception to Temple defensive back Sean Chandler.

Much of the first quarter seemed as if both teams were feeling each other out. The absence of McGough was obvious, though.

Both teams traded three-and-outs for the better part of the first quarter. Both defenses stood tall.

The Owls would strike first after a pass interference call on FIU put Temple in the red zone. Quarterback Frank Nutile would score on a 4-yard touchdown run.

The Temple defense would settle in the second quarter and harass Alexander. The Panthers finished the first half with 96 total yards of offense.

Temple’s defense exposed Alexander in the first half, as they came up two interceptions and three sacks.

FIU’s defense stood tall and only surrendered seven points in the first half, despite multiple miscues by its own offense.

Early in the second half it was announced that McGough would not return to the game after sustaining his collarbone injury in the first quarter.

After a 12-play, 62-yard drive, the Panthers would get on the board courtesy of a 27-yard field goal by kicker Jose Borregales with a little over three minutes left in the third quarter.

Temple would score on a bizarre 1-yard run by David Hood, who seemed to fumble the ball before crossing the goal line. The play was ultimately ruled a touchdown after being reviewed.

Temple would put the game out of reach halfway through the fourth quarter on a 45-yard pass from Nutile to wideout Isaiah Wright. Temple had a 21-3 lead at this point.

An FIU fumble would result in another touchdown by Temple’s offense after a 5-yard run by Ryquell Armstead with a little over three minutes left in the game.

It was a long night for Alexander, as he went 16-of-33 passing with 162 yards and two interceptions.

FIU couldn’t get anything going throughout the second half as Temple’s defense was relentless the entire night. Temple broke the Gasparilla Bowl sack record after accumulating 7 in the game, a record that was set back in 2009.

This was definitely a hard fought game from both teams, but in the end Temple would be victorious.

“We’ll bounce back,” FIU first-year head coach Butch Davis said of his team’s bowl loss to Temple. “We’ll be OK.”

Temple head coach Geoff Collins was happy with the bowl outcome for his team.

“Great game and I couldn’t be more proud of these group of guys,” Collins said. “This game is really special to me because of the people it represents (the players).”

Temple finished the season with a 7-6 overall record, while FIU finished its breakthrough year at 8-5.