Richard Gibson / Sports Director
Needing a win to turn their season around, the FIU football team fell short in their Homecoming game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers by a score of 34-19.
With a 1-6 record and their only win coming in Week 1, the Panthers have lost five straight games and would need to win their remaining five games this season to become bowl eligible.
Like FIU’s previous game against the Charlotte 49ers, the Panthers started off strong in offense, but slowly became less effective as the game progressed, with Western Kentucky eventually taking the lead and not looking back. FIU only scored 7 points in the second half.
“It’s tough when things aren’t going the way that’s you’d like them to go,” said head coach Butch Davis post-game. “I think the players want to win. They’re just trying to overcome the injuries we’ve had, but I’m proud that they try as hard as they can.”
With a 1-6 record, FIU still remains in sixth place out of the seven teams in Conference USA, only in front of the Old Dominion Monarchs, who have the same record. FIU will play ODU in two weeks.
FIU’s first offensive drive was efficient, as the Panthers secured field positioning on Western Kentucky’s 1-yard line, and quarterback Max Bortenschlager rushed the ball in for the score, though kicker Chase Gabriel’s extra point was deflected, leaving the score at 6-0.
After a turnover by the Western Kentucky and multiple punts by both the Panthers and Hilltoppers that sent the game into the second quarter, both teams struggled to break through. Eight minutes in, the Hilltoppers broke into FIU territory and were able to secure a rushing touchdown.
After a successful extra point, WKU held a 7-6 lead, but that was quickly erased following an immediate 75-yard touchdown pass from Bortenschlager to wide receiver Randall St. Felix. After a failed two-point conversion, FIU regained the lead by a score of 12-7 with five minutes left in the first half.
The Hilltoppers managed to put up a successful drive on offense to have the ball at FIU’s goal line, but a successful defensive stand by the Panthers forced a successful field goal attempt, lowering the lead to 12-10.
Following an FIU punt, Western Kentucky kept up the pressure on offense and threw a long ball that connected in the end zone, taking back a 17-12 lead heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Hilltoppers kept their foot on the gas, with a quick offensive drive capped off with a red zone rush, sealing another touchdown to extend their lead to 24-12.
Both teams then exchanged more punts for the majority of the third quarter. FIU was set to punt once more with a minute to go, but they faked the kick and passed for a surprise first down. However, on another fourth down attempt, the Panthers couldn’t convert and ended the drive with no points.
The Hilltoppers then capitalized on the turnover in the fourth quarter, tacking on another touchdown as well as a field goal later on to extend their lead to 34-12.
Under backup quarterback Grayson James, running back Shaun Peterson Jr. rushed the ball in for a touchdown with a minute to go, but the game ended not long after in a 34-19 loss.
For FIU, Bortenschlager completed 15 passes from 32 attempts, along with 192 passing yards and a single touchdown. Running back D’Vonte Price earned 87 yards off of 16 carries and another touchdown. St. Felix was FIU’s leading receiver, with 87 yards.
“Western Kentucky started mixing up some coverages, disguising some of the blitzes,” said Bortenschlager when asked about the Hilltoppers defense. “They made some good adjustments.”
Despite Western Kentucky being a pass-oriented team, the Hilltoppers still rushed for 162 yards compared to FIU’s 28. WKU also earned more total yards, first downs, and time of possession.
FIU will travel to Huntington, West Virginia, to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday, October 30th at 3:30 PM.
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