FIU Football Loses to Jacksonville State, Fall to 0-3

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FIU players, including defensive lineman Davon Strickland (pictured above) wore pink socks and helmets with pink logos. Photo by FIU Athletics

Richard Gibson/ Staff Writer

The Panthers fell short against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks by a score of 19-10 on Friday, October 23rd. 

In the grand scheme of things, this game was a must-win for FIU. Now, the Panthers have a 0-3 record, including a loss to Jacksonville State, which plays in a division lower than FIU. They would need to win all six remaining games to qualify for a bowl game. 

Both teams started off slow on offense, but only JSU found momentum in the second quarter, scoring 16 unanswered points. A late surge by FIU’s offense kept the game close however, FIU had no answers on offense to take back the lead before the game ended. 

FIU’s first drive on offense began with quarterback Stone Norton at the helm. Following two straight three-and-outs, FIU’s offense drove down and secured a field goal for kicker Chase Gabriel to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead. 

The following drive for JSU also resulted in a field goal, tying the game at 3 each.

After a failed drive on offense for FIU, Jacksonville State began a long offensive drive, taking the game into the second quarter. 

Once the second quarter began, the Gamecocks rushed for the first touchdown of the game, now leading 10-3. 

Another failed offensive drive for FIU gave the ball back to JSU. Despite FIU’s rush defense stopping them, two defensive penalties on FIU kept the drive alive. This drove JSU down the field to kick another field goal, increasing their lead to 13-3 heading into halftime.

Once the third quarter began, Jacksonville State’s offense marched down the field and scored another field goal, increasing their lead to 16-3. For FIU, a fumble by Norton gave the ball back to the Gamecocks, but a blocked field goal kept the lead at 16-3. 

FIU’s offense finally had momentum. A connection from Norton to wide receiver Nate Jefferson scored the Panther’s first touchdown of the game, cutting the Gamecocks lead to 16-10. 

A defensive stop by FIU forced a punt by the Gamecocks, which resulted in a 39-yard return by wide receiver Bryce Singleton that put FIU’s offense in a good position. Unfortunately, their offense stalled in the red zone, and a missed field goal attempt capped off the drive.

Two straight three-and-outs for both teams began the fourth quarter. However, with two minutes to go, a late field goal by JSU gave the team a nine-point lead. FIU’s next offensive drive ended with four straight incompletions, and the Gamecocks secured a 19-10 win.

Norton played the majority of the game for FIU, with quarterback Max Bortenschlager stepping in for only one drive. Norton completed five catches out of 14 attempts, earning 66 passing yards and a single passing touchdown to Jefferson. Running back D’vonte Price earned nine carries for 43 yards.

FIU’s head coach Butch Davis said that their quarterback troubles may stem from a lack of practice, during a post-game press conference.  

“We got a lot of young players, especially quarterbacks,” said Davis. “They didn’t get Spring practice. They’re getting all their experience in live games. That makes it difficult for Stone, and that makes it difficult for Max.”

Jacksonville State outclassed FIU in almost every category. They earned 444 total yards compared to FIU’s 156 yards. They also converted 26 first downs, unlike FIU’s six first downs. JSU’s offense was on the field for 42 minutes, while FIU’s offense was on for almost 18 minutes. 

“Our team has a lot of respect for Jacksonville State,” says Davis. “They were ahead 21-7 over Florida State earlier this season. There was nobody watching that film that saw anything other than a talented football team.”

FIU will stay at the Riccardo Silva Stadium for their next game- a marquee matchup against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Friday, October 30th at 7 p.m. After that, FIU will head to El Paso to take on the UTEP Miners on November 7th.

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