Conference USA power too much for FIU
With star wide receiver Tyrese Chambers out due to injury, a young quarterback making just his fifth career start and a bangedup offensive line, it’s no wonder the FIU Panthers were held down Friday night.
Texas-San Antonio, the reigning Conference USA champions and winners of 20 of its past 25 games, defeated host FIU 30-10.
It was a “moral victory” for the Panthers, who entered the game as 33-point underdogs.
In fact, FIU played UTSA to a scoreless draw in the first quarter.
Still, the Panthers fell to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in conference. UTSA is 5-2, 3-0.
Here are five takeaways for the Panthers, who have lost 21 of their past 22 games against FBS teams.
1. BLOCKERS NEEDED
Early in the first half, center Julius Pierce went down with an ankle injury that has troubled him most of this season.
“He’s going to be OK,” coach Mike MacIntyre said. “He just tweaked that ankle.”
Freshman John Bock went in to play center, joining the four healthy starters: left tackle Shamar Hobdy-Lee, left guard Wyatt Lawson, right guard Jacob Peace and right tackle Lyndell Hudson Jr.
Lawson is one of five freshmen who started for FIU; the others were cornerback Hezekiah Masses, safety Demetrius Hill, defensive end Keegan Davis and wide receiver Dean Patterson.
As for the offensive line, MacIntyre said “they keep fighting.” Due to injuries, FIU used linemen Friday who weren’t starters or primary backups, including guard Sam Hill, a transfer from an NAIA school, Reinhardt University; and redshirt freshman center Ming Tjon, who arrived as a walk-on last year and did not play.
2. SHADES OF GRAYSON
Sophomore quarterback Grayson James, making his fifth straight start, completed 18 of 36 passes for 174 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked three times.
With Opening Day starter Gunnar Holmberg still out (shoulder injury), redshirt freshman Haden Carlson got some playing time late in the game, leading FIU to its only touchdown.
Carlson completed 2 of 3 passes for 12 yards, and took one sack on a play in which the defensive end had a free run at him.
“Both of them did some good things,” MacIntyre said of his QBs. “We also did some not-so-good things.
“Gunnar, we’re hoping he’ll be able to go next week.”
Whether Holmberg returns as a starter or backup is open to debate.
FIU’s next game is 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Charlotte.
3. THE LEX FLEX
Running back Lexington “Flex” Joseph had six carries for 56 yards, including a 35-yarder.
Counting his four kickoff returns, Joseph finished with 138 all-purpose yards.
For the season, he leads FIU in rushing (291 yards), rushing average (5.9), scrimmage yards (396), kickoff-return yardage (380) and all-purpose yards (776).
4. FOR THE RUN DEFENSE
Linebacker Gaethan Bernadel made a careerhigh 15 tackles, the most by an FIU player this season.
But UTSA’s Kevorian Barnes, who entered Friday
with just 20 yards rushing this season, ran 20 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns against FIU.
It was the third time this season FIU has allowed a running back to rush for more than 100 yards, and that includes a 195-yard effort by Texas State’s Calvin Hill.
5. FOR THE PASS DEFENSE
The Panthers struggled to stop quarterback Frank Harris, who entered the weekend leading FBS in total offense per game (375.2). The lefty completed 24 of 35 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns in just three quarters.
It was the fourth time this season that FIU has allowed a QB to pass for more than 200 yards. Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed burned FIU for 381 yards.