Richard Gibson / Staff Writer
FIU fell to Liberty in their first game of the season by a score of 36-34. The game, which took place on September 26th, saw the Panthers on the road in Lynchburg, Virginia. There was limited seating, with around 1000 fans of both schools in attendance.
This matchup was meant to be the fourth game of the season. However, due to a revised schedule that saw the first three games canceled and delayed, the season began in Lynchburg.
The Liberty Flames are an independent school with no conference. They came off a win last week against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers by a score of 30-24.
FIU’s offense and the defense began with giving up penalties on both sides. The offense saw three different quarterbacks play but still managed to keep it together and score 34 points. Unfortunately, a combination of an exhausted defense and too many penalties stopped FIU from coming back, and Liberty secured the win.
Running back Lexington Joseph returned the opening kickoff for 100 yards, scoring a touchdown and tying a record in 2012 for the longest kickoff return touchdown in FIU history. On their first drive, the Flames answered with their own touchdown, tying the game at seven points each.
Max Bortenschlager, a college senior transfer from Maryland, was the starting quarterback for FIU.
After a three-and-out, Liberty marched down the field. In a drive that included multiple penalties on FIU, including one that wiped out a turnover, the Flames scored another touchdown, giving them their first lead 14-7.
Led by Bortenschlager, the offense was capped off by a 30-yard rushing touchdown by D’vonte Price. Following the first punt of the day for Liberty, FIU elected to put in Kaylan Wiggins at quarterback. A handful of FIU penalties stalled their drive and forced another punt.
Despite a fantastic punt by FIU’s Tommy Heatherly, Liberty was able to drive it to FIU’s red zone. However, a stop by FIU’s defense forced a field goal attempt by the Flames that they missed, keeping the game tied heading into halftime.
Heading out of halftime, a repeat of Libertie’s offense occurred. They drove down the field, but a surge in the Panther’s defense forced another field goal attempt. This time, they converted, giving Liberty back the lead by a score of 17-14.
FIU put in Stone Norton, their third different quarterback of the game. His first drive was brief, including two sacks. Liberty’s drive on offense resulted in a quick touchdown to put the Flames up by 10. FIU’s defense had troubles with both the rush and pass of Liberty all day, but the penalties by FIU made it even easier for Liberty.
D’vonte once again scored a 65-yard rushing touchdown during Norton’s two-play drive, keeping a close game for FIU. Liberty’s offense drove down the field again, but FIU’s effective red zone defense held Liberty to another field goal.
The Panther’s next drive on offense resulted in points. After a couple of solid first downs, by FIU, Norton threw a dime to Bryce Singleton for the fourth FIU touchdown of the day. After the extra point, FIU took the lead back with a score of 28-27.
Liberty wasted no time with their next possession. The Flames made quick work of FIU’s defense, driving in another touchdown, but they missed a two-point conversion. Following a failed offensive drive by FIU in the fourth quarter, Liberty was able to rush to the end zone and put up another field goal, leading 36-28.
Following a 66-yard kickoff return by Joseph, Norton was able to make quick work of Liberty’s defense, throwing another touchdown pass to D’vonte Price. Their two-point attempt was no good, and Liberty held on to the lead by two points.
With four minutes remaining, FIU needed a quick defensive stop, and the defense came through. Norton had to drive the Panthers across the field to at least secure a field goal, but a sack on fourth ended FIU’s day on offense, and Liberty secured the win.
Norton fared the best out of all three quarterbacks, completing nine passes from 13 attempts, throwing for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Price rushed for 148 yards off of 13 carries, including two rushing touchdowns. He also secured a passing touchdown, along with another by Singleton.
Overall, Liberty led both teams in total yards, first downs, and time of possession. FIU’s penalties, with 15 totaling 127 lost yards, proved to be most detrimental. Some of them wiped out two potential interceptions, as well as a successful two-point conversion that could have tied the game late in the fourth quarter.
FIU gets next week off to recuperate but will return to Riccardo Silva Stadium for their Homecoming game, taking on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders October 10th at 7 pm. Middle Tennessee lost their first game to UTSA by a score of 37-35 and will play the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers next week.
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