Record games by Chambers, Bortenschlager not enough to stop FIU’s losing streak

FIU wide receiver Tyrese Chambers entered the press conference room late Friday night and navigated an immediate U-turn.

“I’ve got to stop smiling before I get in here,” Chambers said.

Chambers has a big and joyous personality, and a big and emerging game that should be drawing the attention of NFL scouts.

But even after a huge night for him personally — he tied the FIU single-game record with 201 receiving yards — Chambers knows this is no time for smiles on this Panthers football team.

Certainly not after FIU took a 45-33 beating from the Charlotte 49ers on Friday night.

Offensively, this was a huge night for the Panthers. Quarterback Max Bortenschlager set the school record with 466 passing yards. Chambers turned just three catches into two touchdowns and the aforementioned 201 yards, tying the school record set in 2011 by current NFL star T.Y. Hilton. And running back D’vonte Price gained 89 yards to surpass 2,000 yards for his career, moving past Anthony Jones into fifth place in program history.

But even with all that, FIU’s defense couldn’t stop Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds, who was surgically precise, completing 21-of-27 passes for 203 yards and 204 yards.

Powered by Reynolds, a fifth-year senior who led a last-minute upset win over Duke earlier this year, the 49ers went 7-for-14 on third-down conversions, 2-for-2 on fourth downs and 5-for-5 on red-zone scoring chances.

The Panthers are now 1-5 and would have to win five of their final six games to become bowl eligible. FIU has lost 12 of its past 13 games, and the Panthers haven’t won a game against an FBS opponent since Nov. 23, 2019.

FIU is also 0-2 in Conference USA, and the Panthers haven’t won a league game since Nov. 2, 2019.

No time for smiles, and FIU coach Butch Davis offered none when he spoke to the media after Friday’s loss.

He did, however, speak highly of his team’s effort.

“I’ll tell you what I told the players in the locker room,” Davis said. “I was really proud of the fact that they fought their hearts out the entire game.”

Davis said he thought Bortenschlager “did an excellent job,” completing 19-of-30 passes for four touchdowns. Bortenschlager, however, did throw one interception, and that was returned for a score.

“He was under a lot of heat,” Davis said of his QB. “[Charlotte] was probably the most aggressive blitzing team we’ve played this year. Max got hit some, but he made great throws down the field.”

Davis also said he would put Price up with any running back he has coached in his career, which is incredibly high praise.

“He’s a powerful runner,” Davis said. “He’s worked on blitz pickup and catching balls out of the backfield.”

On the negative side, FIU allowed two long kickoff returns, totaling 117 yards, and Davis blamed injuries and a lack of depth.

“We’re down 20-something players,” Davis said. “We did a poor job [on kickoff coverage]. It was very bad for our defense that twice they had to go on the field after a 50- or 55-yard kickoff return.”

Davis said the injuries are putting particular stress on defensive linemen such as Davon Strickland and Jason Mercier.

“They should never have to play 65 to 75 plays,” Davis said. “In a perfect world, they should play high 30s, early 40s so that they don’t get exhausted.”

Some of the injured players Davis mentioned were wide receiver Shemar Thornton, defensive linemen Savion Collins and Rashad Colson, linebacker AJ Mathis and defensive back Pierce Withers.

“We’ve got to get some of these injured players back,” Davis said. “We’re playing guys who were going to redshirt or were on our scout team and now they’re starting.”

Asked if the Panthers can turn things around, Davis said: “In the locker room, I guarantee you, they’re all like, ‘Let’s get back to work on Monday.’ ”