Panthers fall short against Blue Raiders

A fumble with under three minutes to play cost the Panthers as FIU dropped a 28-27 decision to Middle Tennessee, Sunday night at FIU Stadium.

Despite the loss, the Panthers are bowl bound. FIU will accept a bowl bid at a press conference at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5.

With a chance to win the game, senior quarterback Wayne Younger, in for an injured Wesley Carroll, appeared to be leading the Panthers to yet another come-from-behind victory, but a late turnover by T.Y. Hilton allowed Middle Tennessee to run out the clock for the victory.

For the Panthers, Darian Mallary ran for 104 yards on 15 carries. Darriet Perry added 53 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Carroll completed 15-of-19 passes for 141 yards and one score.

Defensively, Ash Parker and Jonathan Cyprien led FIU with eight tackles apiece.

Middle Tennessee kicked off to start the game, and in an effort to keep the ball out of T.Y. Hilton’s hands, pooched-kicked the ball to the 28-yard-line and Wayne Times returned it all the way to the Middle Tennessee 38. After a 24-yard run by Darian Mallary got FIU down to the seven, Carroll avoided a sack and found Greg Ellingson in the corner of the endzone for an early 7-0 lead.

After a Middle Tennessee punt, the Panthers were backed up on their own 10 and marched 90 yards to put another seven points on the board. Deep in MTSU territory, FIU faced a third-and-five when Carroll found Willis Wright for a four-yard gain. It was Wright’s first-career catch, but FIU was one yard short of moving the sticks. However, Perry took care of the rest, picking up the first down and scoring three plays later to put the Panthers up 14-0 with 5:20 to go in the first quarter.

Another good punt by Middle Tennessee backed up the Panthers, and after a three-and-out, the Blue Raiders got the ball in FIU territory. MTSU capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a touchdown on a two-yard run by Benjamin Cunningham as time expired in the first quarter. Middle Tennessee would then tie the score with eight minutes to go in the first half as Phillip Tanner found the endzone from six yards out to make the score 14-14.

As time expired in the first half, sophomore kicker Jack Griffin kicked a 50-yard field goal to give FIU a 17-14 lead into the half. The kick was the longest of Griffin’s career and the second-longest in FIU history.

Coming out of the half, Middle Tennessee took a 21-17 lead on a Dwight Dasher to Javarres Jefferson 14-yard touchdown pass.

After the teams traded punts, FIU drove down to the MTSU six-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal after Hilton was ruled out-of-bounds on catch in the back of the endzone. Griffin got FIU within one of the Blue Raiders when he was true from 23 yards out with 2:01 remaining in the third quarter. The field goal was Griffin’s 15^th of the season, setting a new single-season FIU record.

In the fourth quarter, with the Panthers in a second-and-30 situation, Middle Tennessee was flagged for a personal foul, a late hit out of bounds, giving the Panthers a first down. However, later in the drive, a fumble gave the ball back to the Blue Raiders, who looked poised to add to their lead.

With MTSU driving at the FIU 10, Dasher appeared to have a man open in the endzone, but Junior Mertile stepped in and picked off the pass to keep the Panthers within one of the Blue Raiders. The pick was his second of the season.

The Panthers took full advantage of the Blue Raider miscue, driving 79 yards on seven plays, capping it off with yet another rushing touchdown by Perry. The score, which came from six yards out, was Perry’s 14^th of the season, which is already an FIU single-season record.

MTSU responded right away, scoring on a three-yard rush by Tanner to re-take the lead at the 7:26 mark of the fourth quarter.

FIU got the ball back with 3:43 to go in the game, but was without Carroll after he had to leave the game with an injury. Backup Younger did an admirable job, marching the Panthers down the field all the way to the MTSU 27. However, the drive came to an end when Hilton fumbled and the Blue Raiders recovered.

MTSU would proceed to run out the clock and seal the victory.

With the loss, FIU’s record falls to 6-6 and 6-2 in conference play. The Panthers will now wait for an announcement to come regarding what bowl game they are headed to. FIU will accept a bid to a bowl during a press conference on Sunday at 2 p.m.