FIU’s Grayson James’ debut as starting quarterback ends with lopsided loss at Texas State

FIU sophomore quarterback Grayson James finally got his first college start, and it happened in his home state of Texas.

Unfortunately for James, it wasn’t a winning debut as FIU lost 41-12 to Texas State late Saturday night in San Marcos.

FIU (1-1) never led and didn’t score its only touchdown until there were just 9:29 left in the fourth quarter as EJ Wilson found the end zone on a six-yard run.

James was playing in place of opening-night starter Gunnar Holmberg, who is out with a concussion. James completed 30-of-47 passes for 195 yards, and he threw two interceptions. One of his interceptions was returned for a 60-yard touchdown by Kordell Rogers.

James, who is from the Dallas area, had been looking forward to this game.

“Emotions will be high,” James said prior to the contest. “I know a few guys on the Texas State team. This will be a fun game for sure.”

While it was James’ first start, Saturday also marked the debut for FIU third-string quarterback Haden Carlson, a third-year freshman from Tampa. Carlson went 5-for-9 for 55 yards with no interceptions.

FIU is off until Sept. 24, when the Panthers visit Western Kentucky. The bye week could give Holmberg a chance to return from his concussion, which he suffered on a hit he took in the opener against Bryant.

In that game, James entered in the third quarter and fired four touchdowns and no interceptions, leading FIU to a 38-37 overtime win.

Now, it’s anyone’s guess who will start at quarterback against Western Kentucky.

Besides the QB issue, the Panthers have to address their run defense, which allowed Texas State running back Calvin Hill to rumble for 195 yards, a 7.0 average and one touchdown.

Hill had been held to just 15 yards on nine carries in Texas State’s season-opening 38-14 loss at Nevada.

FIU’s pass defense also got burned on Saturday as Texas State quarterback Layne Hatcher completed 15-of-30 passes for 226 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Hatcher, by the way, signed with Alabama out of high school before transferring to Arkansas State, where he threw for 7,427 yards and 65 touchdowns in three years.

This is his first year at Texas State (1-1). On Saturday, Hatcher had several big plays, including touchdown throws of 65 yards to Charles Brown, 52 yards to Javen Banks and seven yards to Ashtyn Hawkins.

Highlights for FIU include wide receiver Tyrese Chambers’ game-high 10 catches for a game-high 72 yards; and linebacker Donovan Manuel returning from a concussion the week prior to post a game-high 14 tackles. Of those tackles, 2.5 were for losses.

FIU kicker Chase Gabriel had a good game, going 2-for-2 on field goals, making it from 49 and 38 yards.

Also for FIU, linebacker Gaethan Bernadel had 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks, safety CJ Christian got his first career interception, and true freshman Hezekiah Masses recovered a fumble.

On special teams, Wilson had one kickoff return for 34 yards, and teammate Lexington Joseph averaged 28.0 yards on four kickoff returns. Punter Daton Montiel averaged 45.0 yards on eight kicks.

But FIU was never truly in this game, trailing 10-0 in the first quarter and 20-6 at halftime. The Panthers went 1-for-9 on first-half third-down conversions.

This story was originally published September 11, 2022 at 10:23 AM.