Eric Rivers sets receiving record in FIU’s needed win over New Mexico State
Better than T.Y. Hilton.
Better than Tyrese Chambers.
Better than Kris Mitchell.
Wide receiver Eric Rivers – who started his college career as a walk-on defensive back at the University of Memphis – set the FIU Panthers single-game record on Tuesday night with 295 reception yards.
Rivers made 11 catches – three of them for touchdowns – to lead FIU to a 34-13 win over the visiting New Mexico State Aggies.
The previous FIU single-game record for receiving yards was 201, shared by Chambers and Mitchell. Hilton, of course, is the ex-FIU receiver who played 11 NFL seasons, making the Pro Bowl four times.
Here are four takeaways regarding FIU football:
1. STILL ALIVE
The Panthers (3-6 overall, 2-3 Conference USA) need to win all three of their remaining games to become bowl eligible.
They now have a bye week before playing at Jacksonville State on Nov. 16, and FIU will be clear underdogs in that game.
But FIU coach Mike MacIntyre is hoping Tuesday’s victory starts some positive momentum.
“It gives us hope,” MacIntyre said of the win that snapped FIU’s three-game losing skid. “Winning this game was big for us.”
2. INJURY REPORT
Safety CJ Christian, who had missed FIU’s previous game due to a rib injury, returned and ranked second on the team with nine tackles.
Perhaps his best play came on the Aggies’ first drive. On fourth-and-two, Christian swooped in to tackle Seth McGowan short of the first-down sticks.
“CJ is a really good player,” MacIntyre said. “He flies around, makes plays.
“He’s also great on checks because he can see things (developing).”
Unfortunately for FIU, starting wide receiver Nazeviah Burris missed Tuesday’s game due to shoulder surgery. He’s out for the season.
On the offensive line, guard Ben Shellenback missed Tuesday’s game due to wrist surgery. He could return for the Jacksonville State game.
In addition, John Bock II, who was FIU’s starting center last season, is set to return in that next game after serving a one-year, NCAA-issued suspension for the use of a banned substance.
3. COMEBACK KEYONE
Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins was just 1-of-9 for 16 yards and one interception before getting benched in FIU’s previous game, a 10-7 loss to visiting Sam Houston.
However, Jenkins was playing with a contusion on his throwing shoulder.
This week, Jenkins was full healthy, and it showed as he completed 18-of-27 passes for 338 yards, four touchdowns and no turnovers.
For the season, Jenkins has 14 TD passes and seven interceptions. He is averaging 197.3 passing yards per game.
“Keyone bounced back great,” MacIntyre said. “We have the weapons, and our offensive line did a great job protecting (zero sacks on Tuesday).”
4. RIVERS DOMINATES
Rivers scored 18 points on Tuesday. In fact, he outscored New Mexico State, which was held to just two long field goals (57 and 52 yards) and one touchdown run.
Rivers’ 295 reception yards are the third-most ever by a CUSA player. Houston’s Donnie Avery set the record in 2007 with 346 yards. Carlos Henderson, playing for Louisiana Tech in 2016, ranks second with 326.
MacIntyre said New Mexico State played mostly “quarters” zone defense. In that scenario, two cornerbacks and two safeties each divide the field into quarters horizontally, and that’s the area they patrol.
Not that it bothered Rivers.
“You can exploit a bunch of different defenses -- it’s the way you go at it,” Rivers said. “You have to prepare for all defenses, but they really didn’t make too many adjustments.”