Five takeaways from FIU’s road victory at Charlotte including Tyrese Chambers’ return

Welcome back, Tyrese Chambers.

Chambers, FIU’s star wide receiver, missed all or parts of the past two games, both losses.

He returned on Saturday afternoon as FIU defeated host Charlotte, 34-15. Chambers finished with 10 catches for 143 yards – both game highs – to lead the Panthers to victory.

“It helps to have your No. 1 guy out there making plays,” FIU quarterback Grayson James said of Chambers.

This was Chambers’ second 10-catch game of his injury-interrupted season. It’s a reminder of what he did last season, when he made an eyes-opening FIU debut with 45 catches, for 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns. His yards and TDs set FIU single-season records, and his 23.87 yards per catch ranked second nationally.

Chambers aside, here are five takeaways on FIU football:

1. TEAM TURNAROUND

Coach Mike MacIntyre, hired in December, inherited a team that had gone 1-18 in its past 19 games.

With little time to recruit, MacIntyre somehow brought in 48 new players – including 24 transfers – and the Panthers have managed to post a 3-4 record overall, 1-2 in Conference USA.

Further, the Panthers are a respectable 2-2 on the road, with wins over New Mexico State and Charlotte.

It’s probably unlikely MacIntyre can win C-USA Coach of the Year if he finishes with a losing record. Even so, he has done a remarkable job so far, especially with the way the team has battled back with two wins after an embarrassing 73-0 loss to Western Kentucky on Sept. 24.

Also, while the Panthers are, as stated, 3-4 overall, they are 3-2 when Chambers starts and finishes a game as a healthy player.

2. QB ONE

Grayson James completed 26-of-34 passes for 306 yards in the win over Charlotte.

He also ran 10 times for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

“It gives us an extra hat in the run game,” James said of his QB keepers allowing for FIU to have another available blocker. “It gives us another edge in the red zone. As long as we get in the end zone, I’ll take it.”

Duke transfer Gunnar Holmberg was FIU’s Opening Night starter. But he suffered a concussion in that game, and James came in to get the win with four TD passes.

Holmberg, who is now healthy according to MacIntyre, has not thrown a pass since that first game.

3. DANDY DEFENSE

FIU entered Saturday with just three interceptions in six games.

Against Charlotte, however, the Panthers picked off three passes and forced five turnovers overall as FIU led 34-0 through three quarters.

Demetrius Hill, Andrew Volmar and Dorian Hall had Saturday’s interceptions. Hill leads FIU with two picks.

The Panthers also got three sacks and 3½ tackles for losses by Shaun Peterson. Fellow linebackers Donovan Manuel (10 tackles) and Gaethan Bernadel (nine stops) also contributed.

4. SEARCH CONTINUES

FIU continues to look for a receiver who can consistently take the pressure off Chambers.

On Saturday, Kris Mitchell made eight grabs for 84 yards and one TD.

“That’s a connection we’ve had since last year, working with the twos,” James said of he and Mitchell as former second-stringers.

In addition, Jalen Bracey made four catches for 55 yards.

Running back Lexington Joseph rushed for 72 yards, a 4.2 average and two touchdowns.

In his first three games this year, Joseph had 22 carries for just 52 yards (2.4 average).

But in his past four games, Joseph has run 44 times for 311 yards (7.1 average).

5. UP NEXT

FIU now has a short week, playing host to Louisiana Tech (2-5, 1-2) on Friday night.