Offense edges out defense during the annual Spring Game

By Brett Shweky/Sports Director

 

With the offense trailing 13-6 on the potential final play of the FIU Spring Game at Riccardo Silva Stadium, redshirt freshman quarterback Kaylan Wiggins rallied the squad by throwing a touchdown pass and running for the game-winning two-point conversion.

Wiggins stood in the pocket as time expired and threw a two-yard dart to redshirt junior wide receiver Richie Cooper. The following play, the redshirt freshman quarterback scrambled away from the incoming defense into the endzone for the two-point conversion to give the offense the 14-13 victory.

“Compared to last year I thought it was outstanding. We’re so much further along, as far as the schemes and the things that you’re able to do during the scrimmage,” said Head Coach Butch Davis.

During the Spring Game, defensive points were given for three-and-outs, holding the offense to six plays or less and turnovers, while the offensive side of the ball scored on traditional field goals and touchdowns.

The offense jumped on an early 6-0 lead against the defense, as redshirt junior kicker Sean Young connected on a 46-yard field goal and redshirt sophomore kicker Jose Borregales converted a 35-yarder.

The early lead was quickly erased, when the defense held the offense to back-to-back six plays or less to earn them their first points of the night. Following the momentum shift, the defense managed to take a 9-6 lead against the offense with a three-and-out and also a six plays a out.

Senior defensive back Emmanuel Lubin increased the defense’s lead, as he recovered a fumble to put the defense up 13-6. Lubin’s fumble recovery was the only turnover in the game.

Throughout the Spring Game, the offense rotated three quarterbacks.

Redshirt junior Christian Alexander got the nod for the opening drive and concluded the night going 7-of-11 for 89 yards. Redshirt junior Maurice Alexander played in the second and third drive for the offense and finished the game going three-for-six for only 18 yards. Wiggins completed 8-of-13 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

“One of the main things that we wanted to do was give the two quarterbacks an opportunity to show up and see who made good decisions,” said Davis.

The Panthers’ ground game featured an array of running backs during the Spring Game. Redshirt senior running back Napoleon Maxwell led the group by rushing for 54 on just six carries.

Freshman running back Jordan Atkins was second on the team in rushing for the scrimmage by finishing with 29 yards on six rushing attempts. Junior Shawndarrius Phillips and senior Anthony Jones rounded out running back committee by rushing for 21 yards each.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Austin Maloney was the leading receiver during the Spring Game, as he concluded the outing with four catches for 74 yards, and also a 50-yard completion. Sophomore receiver Bryce Singleton included to the strong play by the receivers with a reception for 36 yards on a double reverse, which was thrown by receiver C.J. Worton.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive lineman Kevin Oliver led the team in tackles with five, and also contributed with a sack and a pass break up. Fellow defensive lineman Anthony Johnson was second on the team in tackles with four.

“As a team, we came together and we learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” said Phillips. “This was an evaluation test and the guys that we put into position to go out there and show what they can do. They did a great job putting themselves on that pedestal and performing.”