The FIU Panthers continue to struggle against the FAU Owls in Shula Bowl blowout loss

Not even Bryce Singleton’s spectacular one-handed touchdown grab, James Morgan’s record-tying performance or Anthony Jones’ emotional return to action could save the FIU Panthers on Saturday night.

FIU’s four-game win streak is over, and rival Florida Atlantic did the damage.

The Panthers lost 49-14 to the FAU Owls, who knocked FIU out of first place in Conference USA’s East Division. FIU (6-3, 4-1) trails Middle Tennessee (6-3, 5-1) by a half-game.

However, FIU beat Middle Tennessee this season and would own the head-to-head edge if the division title would come down to that tiebreaker.

Morgan had two touchdown passes, tying Alex McGough’s single-season FIU record of 21. That record was set last year before McGough landed on an NFL practice squad this season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Singleton’s right-handed grab may have been the catch of the year, but it had to share the FIU marquee with Morgan and also Jones, who played for the first time since being the innocent victim of a drive-by shooting on September 6 in Opa-Locka.

FAU led 14-7 at halftime on the strength of two Devin Singletary rushing touchdowns sandwiched around a Morgan 13-yard touchdown pass to Austin Maloney.

FIU tied the score with 8:47 left in the third period on Singleton’s 19-yard stab. But FAU closed the third-quarter scoring, taking a 21-14 lead on Jovon Durante’s 28-yard touchdown catch from De’Andre Johnson. The Owls put the game away in the fourth quarter, and they now lead the annual Shula Bowl series, 12-5.