Troy overcomes FIU at Blackout Game


More than 10,000 FIU football fans were on hand to see the Panthers debut their new black jerseys – and lose to the Trojans, 42-33, on Oct. 17 at FIU Stadium.

FIU could not maintain its first-half momentum, losing to Troy, 42-33, on Oct. 17 at FIU Stadium. The loss on the field stood in contrast to the gains in attendance: More than 10,000 FIU football fans wore black to participate in FIU’s first Blackout Game during which the blue-and-gold team unveiled its new black jerseys.

Sophomore running back Kendall Berry scored the first touchdown of his career against Troy. Photo: FIUSports.com.

Sophomore running back Kendall Berry scored the first touchdown of his career against Troy. Photo: FIUSports.com.

The Panthers are now 1-5 on the season and 1-1 in Sun Belt Conference (SBC) action.

Greg Ellingson led FIU receivers with 58 yards on four catches, while Daunte Owens led the rushing game with 21 yards on 13 carries and three Panthers recovered the first fumbles of their careers.

Senior linebacker Tyler Clawson recovered Troy’s fumble on its own 24-yard line, which set up FIU’s go-ahead field goal in the second quarter. Linebacker Aaron Davis’ fumble recovery set up the Panthers’ second field goal of the game and sophomore defensive end James Jones completed the trio in the fourth quarter.

“When you recover fumbles in the red zone you need to make those touchdowns,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “You can’t go against a team as high-powered as they are offensively and kick a couple field goals when you have a chance to make those seven-point deals. There were plenty of opportunities there. We created some. They gave us some, but we gave them more than we got and ultimately, that was the difference.”

Up next for the Panthers is an away game against Arkansas State on Oct. 24.

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