Weekend Replay: Head Coach Ron Turner relieved of duties

Head Coach Ron Turner finishes with a 10-30 record at FIU.

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

After a 53-14 loss to the UCF Knights at FIU Stadium on Sept. 24, FIU football relieved Head Coach Ron Turner the following day.

Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Ron Cooper will serve as the interim head coach for the remaining eight games of the season while a national search for a new head coach begins.

“I want to thank Coach Turner for his contributions to the FIU football program, most importantly his commitment to academics and community service,” Executive Director of Sports of Entertainment Pete Garcia said.

The Panthers (0-4) surrendered more than 500 yards of offense to UCF in Saturday’s loss. After FIU running back Anthony Jones rushed for a 6-yard touchdown score with 5:27 left in the first quarter to cut an early UCF lead down to 8-7, the Knights exploded for 45 unanswered points en route to a victory.

FIU will kick off Conference USA play next weekend against rival Florida Atlantic next Saturday, Oct. 1, for Shula Bowl XV. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at FIU Stadium.

For more information about FIU football, go to FIUSports.com.

TENNIS

FIU tennis opened up their season this weekend with a strong showing at the 2016 Miami Fall Invite, hosted by the University of Miami.

On Sept. 25, the final day of the tournament, the Panthers took on Florida Atlantic and Pittsburgh in singles play and won 12 of 13 matches, sweeping the Owls (6-0) and taking 6-of-7 matches against Pitt.

Juniors Nerma Caluk and Mina Markovic shined for the Panthers, each going 3-0 against Miami, Florida Atlantic and Pitt.

The Panthers will travel to Tampa to take part in the three-day 2016 Bedford Cup, hosted by USF, beginning Sept. 30.

For more information about FIU tennis, go to FIUSports.com.

MEN’S SOCCER

Despite a goal by Luis Betancur with two seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, the FIU men’s soccer team couldn’t come away with a win against No. 5 Charlotte on the road Sept. 24.

Charlotte handed FIU a 2-1 loss when Brandt Bronico beat FIU goalkeeper Arthur Clapot in overtime to hand the Panthers their fourth loss of the season.

The Panthers (3-4-1, 1-1 C-USA) will look to snap their two-game losing skid on the road against New Mexico on Sept. 30.

For more information about FIU men’s soccer, go to FIUSports.com.

VOLLEYBALL 

FIU volleyball opened up Conference USA play over the weekend with a 3-0 loss  (25-21, 25-16, 25-14) to North Texas on the road Sept. 25.

Senior outside hitter Katie Hogan led the Panthers’ offensive effort with 11 kills while redshirt freshman libero Lina Bernier tallied 12 digs.

The Panthers (6-9, 0-1 C-USA) will look to rebound on Sept. 30 against in-state rival Florida Atlantic at FIU Arena. The match will begin at 7 p.m.

For more information about FIU volleyball, go to FIUSports.com.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

In a game slowed down by a long weather delay, the FIU women’s soccer team failed to get going in a 4-0 loss against the Charlotte 49ers on Sept. 24 at FIU Soccer Stadium.

While going into the second half only down by one goal, the Panthers surrendered three goals in the second half in the defeat.

The Panthers (1-7-1, 0-2 C-USA) will hit the road this weekend to take on UAB on Sept. 30.

For more information about FIU women’s soccer, go to FIUSports.com.