Panther Preview: FIU Football vs Texas Tech

Quarterback Max Bortneschlager and Wide Receiver Tyrese Chambers have had a great connection to start the season. Photo by FIU Athletics

By: Jonathan Mayer / Staff Writer

Coming off a 1-1 record to open up the season, FIU football is set to visit the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, September 18 at 7pm at the Jones AT&T Stadium.

This will be FIU’s first Power five opponent in two year with their last encounter being a 30-24 victory against the Miami Hurricanes on November 23, 2019 at LoanDepot Park.

Their latest game resulted in a 23-17 overtime loss to the Texas State Bobcats, where costly mistakes on offense and penalties were ultimately to blame for FIU.

Against the Bobcats, Quarterback Max Bortenschlager threw for 259 yards on 17 completions while connecting for two touchdowns to Wide Receiver Tyrese Chambers and Tight End Rivaldo Fairweather. Chambers finished the night with 79 yards, a career high, on four receptions and Fairweather 54 yards on four receptions with his touchdown pass being a 34 yard pass.

Running back D’vonte Price had his second straight 100-yard game with 111 yards on 23 carries.  He fumbled the ball twice, once in the 2nd quarter and once in the 4th quarter. The last time Price fumbled the ball was back in 2018 in a 63-24 over UMass. 

The defensive side limited Texas State to 171 rushing yards and 165 passing yards. Defensive lineman Davon Strickland, and linebacker Jamal Gates both had seven tackles and one sack to lead the team. 

Texas Tech, a Big 12 school, is coming off a close victory over Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, an FCS school by a score of 28-22. Oregon transfer quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 174 yards a touchdown, and threw two interceptions. 

Sophomore running back Tahj Brooks ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Brooks already has 237 yards and four touchdowns in his first two games this season with the Red Raiders. 

Butch Davis said on “FIU Panther Talk” with AJ Ricketts, “They have a physical, strong, powerful running back, and our defense will encounter many run pass option plays because of it.”

The Texas Tech pass defense has been a tale of two different stories to start the season. In their victory against the Lumberjacks, they allowed 343 passing yards in the game. In their season-opening win against Houston, they only gave up 174 yards in the air and collected four interceptions.

However, their rush defense has looked spectacular, only allowing 104 rushing yards in their first two games including just giving up 31 on the ground to Stephen F. Austin. 

They are led by Senior linebacker Riko Jeffers, who has started out the season with 10 tackes, one sack, and an interception. 

Davis added, “They mix up their defense, they have all kinds of fronts, coverage and pressure. They want to try to give you as many negative plays as they can.”

The Panthers will look to continue to give the ball off to Price, who has been one of the more consistent backs in Conference-USA to get good yardage. Bortenschlager will have to adjust quickly to a defensive line that has been inconstient to start the season. Look for Chambers, and Singleton to be big contributors on the receiving side of the ball.

Defensively, FIU needs to pressure the quarterback Strough and continue to give lineman Strickland opportunities for tackles. The rushing defense will need to find ways once again to limit the Red Raiders running game that has looked exceptionally good. 

Defensive backs Dorian Hall and Rishard Dames have helped the Panthers only allow 165 passing yards to their opponents and will need to put tight coverage on the Texas Tech receivers.

The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN + or heard on WQBA Univision 1140 AM with Ricketts doing play-play.

About the Author

Richard Gibson
Former Sports Director of PantherNOW

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