FIU football stuns UCF with 15-14 win in season opener

By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

Almost exactly a year ago, a botched field goal attempt in the waning moments of FIU football’s season opener denied them a victory against Bethune-Cookman at home. Last night, the Panthers flipped the script at the expense of a different in-state rival – the UCF Knights.

With 30 seconds remaining and clinging to a one-point lead, the Knights set up for a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal attempt at Bright House Networks Stadium on Sept. 3.

But FIU defensive tackle Darrian Dyson blocked the kick to seal a 15-14 win over the Knights and provided the first substantial upset of the college football season.

The win snaps a three-game losing streak in season openers for FIU. The last time they won a game to open up the season was in 2011, when the Panthers defeated North Texas at FIU Stadium; FIU went on to win eight games and make an appearance in the Beef O’Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl.

The series between the Panthers and Knights is now tied at 2-2, with each program picking up a win at home and on the road.

Defensive tackle Darrian Dyson (#14) blocked a field goal in the final moments to help FIU defeat UCF in the 2015 season opener.

The Panthers fell behind 14-3 at halftime, but mounted a comeback thanks to a strong defensive effort that held the Knights to a paltry 46 yards rushing on 30 total carries and kept them from scoring for the entire second half.

The Panthers sliced into the Knights lead when sophomore running back Alex Gardner scored on a 7-yard run with 8:41 remaining in the third quarter. After a two-point conversion to try and cut the deficit down to only a field goal failed, the Panthers trailed 14-9.

FIU sophomore quarterback Alex McGough had one of the best games of his collegiate career, completing 29 of 38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown pass with no interceptions. That touchdown pass, which ended up being the game-winning score, came early in the fourth quarter when McGough’s pass was tipped and fell into the hands of tight end Ya’Keem Griner in the end zone for a three-yard score to give the Panthers a one-point lead.

The Panthers (1-0) will now travel to take on the Big 10 Conference’s Indiana on Sept. 12 before returning home to take on N.C. Central in the home opener at FIU Stadium on Sept. 19. Kickoff for the home opener is set for 6 p.m. and admission is free for all FIU students with a valid student I.D.

 For more information on FIU’s win over UCF or to purchase tickets for an upcoming game, visit FIUSports.com.