Five takeaways from FIU’s loss to UConn which continued Panthers’ unpredictable trends

FIU is keeping everyone guessing.

Saturday night’s 33-12 home loss to the Connecticut Huskies continued a Panthers trend.

So far this season, the Panthers (2-3) have not won consecutive games, but they haven’t lost more than two in a row, either.

FIU’s defense, for example, has allowed 73 points, seven points and 33 points over the past three weeks, making it hard to predict what will happen each game.

On Saturday, FIU outgained UConn, 409 to 402. Yet, the Panthers trailed 20-0 at halftime in what was a relatively easy Huskies win.

“It was very disappointing,” said coach Mike MacIntyre, hired in December to turn around the FIU program. “I give (UConn) credit for being able to run the ball. They definitely beat us, but I also felt like we gave them a chance to win.

“You are frustrated after every loss. But I would say the kids and us (coaches) are more frustrated after this game. It wasn’t like we were dominated.”

Here are five takeaways regarding FIU football:

1. INJURIES MOUNTING

FIU’s top player, wide receiver Tyrese Chambers, was injured and held to just two catches and 15 yards. MacIntyre had no immediate update on his status.

Starting safety C.J. Christian, however, is out for the year due to a shoulder injury.

“That’s a big loss for us,” MacIntyre said.

In addition, FIU’s offensive line is beat up, particularly with an injury on Saturday to Lyndell Hudson Jr.

“It’s always tough,” MacIntyre said of the injuries, “but the next man up gets a shot to show if he can play.”

2. KEY STATS

FIU turned the ball over three times to zero for the Huskies. UConn also ran for a massive 294 yards and a 6.4 average.

“We knew they were bigger than us,” MacIntyre said of UConn’s rushing game. “We didn’t tackle as well as we would’ve liked.”

In addition, FIU was just 4-for-14 on third down and 2-for-6 on fourth. UConn was 6-for-13 on third down and 1-for-1 on fourth.

3. GRAY’S AREA

FIU quarterback Grayson James completed 28-of-43 passes for a career-high 256 yards.

He was intercepted twice, but the first one was on a fourth-day play where nothing was open.

“I was just trying to make a play,” James said. “(On the second interception), that was completely on me. I got flushed (out of the pocket). I got rushed a little bit and made an errant throw I wish I could have back.

“I had (wide receiver Jalen) Bracey open. I just didn’t get the ball where I wanted it.”

4. PLAYERS STEP UP

FIU running back Lexington Joseph ran seven times for a season-high 103 yards, including a career-long 47-yard touchdown.

With Chambers out, Bracey caught a game-high nine passes for 75 yards. Tight ends Rivaldo Fairweather (33 yards) and Josiah Miamen (23 yards) each caught three passes. And wide receiver Dean Patterson caught two passes for 50 yards.

Asked about Patterson, James said: “He’s my roommate. We’ve put in a lot of time together. There’s connection and chemistry, and it was good to see that come to fruition.”

5. HOME AGAIN

The UConn game was FIU’s first in Miami in 37 days.

However, on Friday night, the Panthers will play at home for the second time in less than a week as they will host Texas-San Antonio (4-2, 2-0) in a Conference USA game.

UTSA is coming off a 31-28 win on Saturday over Western Kentucky, which beat FIU 73-0 earlier this season. UTSA ran for 213 yards on Western Kentucky, and that running game will surely be a point of emphasis for FIU.

“Those are the big guys in our conference,” James said of UTSA. “You want to play the best of the best. We have to work our butts off all week in practice.”