Next up for FAU: The Shula Bowl
Lane Kiffin focuses on preparation and practice.
FIU has become predictably unpredictable.
FIU (6-3, 4-2 Conference USA) has won three of its past four games. But the underdog prevailed in each of those contests, including Old Dominion (4-6, 1-4), which upset host FIU 37-30 late Saturday night.
“I’m disappointed — we came out flat with not a lot of energy,” FIU coach Butch Davis said after the Panthers’ three-game win streak was snapped. “But I’m proud that we didn’t quit.”
FIU, which would have clinched C-USA’s East Division had it won its final three league games, would be eliminated from the race with a loss on Saturday night at host Florida Atlantic (7-3, 6-0), which leads the conference and has a magic number of one.
Panthers middle linebacker Anthony Wint said his squad — which on Saturday allowed its most points since a 37-17 loss at Middle Tennessee on Oct. 7 — has much work to do before FAU.
“We need to refocus and work on the basics — like tackling,” he said.
Some of the broken tackles came against senior running back Ray Lawry, the Old Dominion career touchdowns leader with 46. He averaged 8.8 yards per carry against FIU. Overall, he ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
“Ray is starting to get healthy,” ODU coach Bobby Wilder said. “This is the healthiest he’s been all year.
“He had two explosive runs [against FIU — 65 and 40 yards]. FIU was in man pressure and they blitzed. If Ray gets a crease and there is no middle safety left, he’s going to go.”
FIU lost the turnover battle 2-0, which was kind of surprising given the experience edge favored the Panthers at quarterback with senior Alex McGough against ODU true freshman Steven Williams.
McGough completed a career-high 35 passes, out of 50 attempts, for 323 yards. He also passed for 20 first downs.
It was his fourth career 300-yard game, and he is completing his throws four games.
But McGough and wide receiver Thomas Owens each lost a fumble in the fourth quarter, just as the Panthers were trying to rally.
Still, heaped
“I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in our league,” Wilder said. “Not only is he efficient throwing the ball, but he checks everything [changing plays at the line of scrimmage]. He saw every blitz we had coming, and he picked it up.” 72 percent of over the past ODU’s coach praise on McGough.