New to the team, but wise to the game

Alex McGough arrived at FIU early this summer. In just a few short months, he’s gone from a no-name freshman to the quarterback of the Panthers.

McGough attended Gaither High School in Tampa. In his senior year, he passed for 1,258 yards and eight touchdowns. He is listed at 6-foot-3, but stands closer to 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5.

He received interest from schools like Wake Forest University, Florida Atlantic University and Colgate University; but ultimately chose to take his talents to South Beach.

“The coaching staff was the main thing that made me decide to come here,” said McGough. “I love coach [Ron] Turner and the way he has the offense set up. I think it fits me to my abilities. It just felt like home and I knew it from the beginning. They told me I would have a chance [to compete for the starting quarterback spot]. They said it was up for grabs but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I was gonna start so soon.”

McGough came into camp as a long shot for the starting job. Junior quarterback E.J. Hilliard seemed like a lock, entering his second year in coach Turner’s system.

Even after an impressive showing at camp, McGough was named the backup quarterback behind Hilliard. McGough was expected to see limited action in the first game as a backup.

“We said going into the game that we were gonna put him in on the third or fourth series,” said Turner when asked about his plans for the young quarterback.

McGough entered the game on the fifth drive and led the Panthers to a field goal; their first three points of the game.

The coaches liked what they saw because they left McGough in for the the next drive. He once again led them to a field goal that put them within one point of Bethune-Cookman University. After that, McGough led the offense for the remainder of the game. The Panthers lost to the Wildcats 14-12 after a botched field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter.

“I didn’t expect to stay in as long as I did,” said McGough. “I hoped that if I put together a good drive that they’d give me a chance, but I didn’t know. I was just going out there and playing football.”

McGough finished the evening 13 of 27 with 117 yards and one touchdown pass. He utilized all the weapons at his disposal, completing passes to eight different receivers.

Despite his youth, McGough played well enough to at least give the Panthers a chance to win down the stretch. His zero interceptions are an indication of his poise in the pocket and good decision making.

After the game, Turner did not say who would be starting the following week.

At practice on Tuesday, McGough took the bulk of the snaps with the first team. When asked whether he expected to be on the field for the opening series on Saturday McGough said, ‘Absolutely.”

On Saturday, the Panthers take on the Wagner College Seahawks (1-0). Saturday’s game will be the first ever meeting between the two schools. Wagner was 3-8 last season and returns 14 of 22 starters from 2013. The Seahawks are coming off a decisive 21-3 victory at Georgetown University.

The Georgetown Hoyas are not known for their football program, but that does not take away from the impressive performance by the Wagner defense. The Seahawks held the Hoyas to only 204 yards of offense.

The Hoyas were also 3-13 on third down conversions. The Panthers also struggled on third down in their opening contest; converting 1-16 attempts against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. The Panthers will have to improve on that number if they hope beat Wagner.

The Panthers look to capitalize on this opportunity to get their first win. Their next two games are against Pittsburgh (1-0) and Louisville (1-0), two tough ACC opponents.

When asked about how he would prepare for what could be his first collegiate start, McGough said he wouldn’t change much of his routine.

“I’m gonna do the same thing I did last week,” said McGough. “Last week I prepared like I was a starter. That’s what the coaches told me. Now you know you’re gonna go in. I’m just gonna be in the film study and get to know Wagner as much as I can.”