With the most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback in FIU history, backup Kaylan Wiggins led the way for the Panthers’ first win on a rainy Saturday night against the University of New Hampshire.
During the game, which was interrupted by a 44-minute lightning delay, Wiggins had 187 yards rushing on 14 carries and two touchdowns, a team-high. He also completed 12 passes 127 yards.
“He did exactly what he did a week ago, the game was never bigger than him. He just went out and did his job.” said head coach Butch Davis.
Kaylan Wiggins surveying the field for an open receiver. Photo by Indya Vassell
Wiggins, a redshirt sophomore, said starting quarterback James Morgan was supportive throughout the week and during the game.
“James was there every night. When we travel he is making sure I got every play” said Wiggins in a post-game press conference.
It’s expected that Morgan would be good to go for the Panthers’ next game at Louisiana Tech on Sep. 20th and Davis said he probably could have played against UNH.
“He could have maybe played tonight. Kaylan had a good week of practice” said Davis on the decision to start Kaylan.
Wiggins couldn’t get it going last week against WKU in relief for Morgan, but a full week of first-team practice made the difference.
While Wiggins, who is listed at 6-2, 200 pounds, was an effective runner, the running backs found little room to make plays. Anthony Jones tallied 52 yards on 17 carries and Napoleon Maxwell had just 23 yards on 11 carries
Anthony Jones looking for a hole to run through. Photo by Indya Vassell
The big play of the night came on a punt return in the 4th quarter. With the Panthers up by three, a botched punt by the Wildcats was returned by Tony Gaiter IV to the 10-yard line where he pitched it back to linebacker Dimitry Prophete who ran it in for the touchdown. That put the Panthers up 27-17, they would eventually win 30-17 after a field goal.
Lineback Sage Lewis was the leader of the Panthers’ defense. Eight total tackles and an interception for Lewis, a redshirt-senior.
“I knew through preparation that it was going to be a good week,” said Lewis. “I had a good week of practice and that’s what it came down to.”
The Panthers’ struggle with special teams carried over into this game from last week. Kicker Jose Borregales missed two field goals and an extra point in the game, leaving seven points on the field.
Davis pointed to the change of place holder as the reason for Borregales’ recent slump.
“He had Stone Wilson as his holder for 2 and a half years and you develop that relationship with the snapper and the holder and you trust them,” said Davis. “When the balls are a little out of place, you start worrying about the ball being in the spot you want”
Borregales seemed to get back on track with a 20-yard field goal at the end of the game. He is just 1-for-4 on field goals this season. Before Saturday, Borregales was 29-of-36 on field goals.
“He is an excellent kicker,” said Davis. “He is in a slump and hopefully tonight he got out of that slump and we never see him miss a kick again”
The FIU offense was more efficient moving the ball than the previous two weeks. It remains to be seen if Wiggins will remain the starter against Louisiana Tech or if Morgan will retake the starting job.
FIU will head back to Louisiana to take on the Bulldogs Friday, Sep. 20th at 8 p.m. The Panthers will be playing on a short week of rest and need to make the most of their practice time this week.
“Watch a lot of film, nurse up your body, and get to training back early,” said Lewis
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