Peter Holland Jr./ Contributing Writer
The Panther’s win during homecoming week against Old Dominion University on Saturday, Oct. 24 was a night to remember. The Panthers outplayed the Monarchs resulting to a 41-12 victory. The Panthers are now 3-0 at home and 4-4 overall (2-2 in C-USA). Records have been shattered during that night involving sophomore quarterback, Alex McGough, and junior tight end, Jonnu Smith.
McGough had a record breaking night finishing 31-39 for 390 yards and three touchdowns. McGough has surpassed Wesley Carroll’s record for most touchdown passes in a season with 17 total touchdown passes. Wesley Carroll, a former starting QB for Florida International University, and now color analyst had 16 total touchdown passes.
McGough has also surpassed another former FIU quarterback, Jake Medlock, for second most passing yards in a game in FIU history. He is now trailing Dr.Paul McCall, who threw for 400 yards in 2008.
“I put the ball where it needed to be .”McGough said at the press conference after the game.
Head coach, Ron Turner, was amazed on McGough’s performance saying that was the best he has ever seen since being at FIU.
“He’s so much comfortable in the pocket,” Turner said. “He always knows where everybody is. He knows why we’re calling something and how we’re trying to attack the coverage.”
McGough wasn’t the only player who had a record breaking night. Starting tight end, Jonnu Smith, broke his own record by finishing the game with 10 catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He now surpassed former FIU player, Sam Smith, for most career receiving yards for tight end in FIU history. Sam Smith finished his career with 1383 receiving yards. Jonnu Smith however, currently has 1495 receiving yards in his career.
Smith also passed Sam Smith for career receptions among tight ends. The junior currently has 141 career receptions. He even broke his own record for most yardage in a game with his 183 yard performance. Last season against Middle Tennessee State University, he finished with 140 yards. To top it all off, this was his 32 consecutive game with at least one catch.
“We played FIU football,” Smith Said. “Accountability discipline and toughness got the job done.”
The Panthers are now looking for their first back to back win as the face their rival Florida Atlantic University on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Boca Raton, FL at 3:30 p.m. They are two wins away of being bowl eligible.
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