FIU sees fourth-quarter lead slip away in costly loss to Jacksonville State
FIU’s dream is over.
The Panthers football team, trying to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019, coughed up a fourth-quarter lead on Saturday and lost 34-31 to host Jacksonville State.
With two games left, FIU (3-7 overall, 2-4 Conference USA) cannot get to the required minimum of six wins to become bowl eligible. Further, the Panthers will have to split its final two games – at Kennesaw State and home for Middle Tennessee – just to match the 4-8 record turned in by coach Mike MacIntyre in his first two years at FIU.
MacIntyre, likely frustrated, did not give any post-game quotes on Saturday.
Regardless, here are seven takeaways regarding FIU football:
1. BAD LOSSES STILL HAUNT
The Panthers have played well against some top teams, taking Liberty (7-2, 4-2) to overtime and playing Conference USA leader Jacksonville State (7-3, 6-0) tough.
In addition, FIU didn’t get blown out, relatively speaking, in a 31-7 loss to Indiana, which is 10-0 in breakthrough season. The Hoosiers have scored more than 40 points seven times this season, more than 50 points three times and more than 70 once.
However, FIU had a chance to win the final minute against FCS school Monmouth, but Eric Rivers lost a fumble at the opposition’s one-yard line, and the Panthers fell 45-42.
FIU also lost to two teams with losing records: 2-8 Florida Atlantic and 2-8 Texas-El Paso.
2. PRAYERS FOR BARNES
Panthers linebacker Travion Barnes, who ranks third in the nation in tackles with 12.1 per game, missed Saturday’s contest.
According to a source, Barnes’ mother had surgery. Nothing more is known about the situation.
3. NEW RB
True freshman running back Devonte Lyons – who hadn’t had a carry all season – led FIU in rushing with 88 yards. He averaged an impressive 7.3 per rush, and he scored a touchdown on an 11-yard run.
Lyons also caught two passes on two targets, giving him 103 yards from scrimmage.
After a standout prep career in St. Augustine, Lyons gives FIU hope at the position.
On Saturday, Kejon Owens – who leads FIU in rushing yards (356) and rushing touchdowns (five) – did not get a carry as he was replaced, in a sense, by Lyons.
4. NEW HEROES EMERGE
Lyons and tight end Antonio Ferguson scored their first career TDs. In addition, backup running back Shomari Lawrence scored his first TD of the season, and wide receiver Dean Patterson posted a career high in reception yards (116) on nine catches.
Offensive lineman John Bock II made his season debut, starting at center. He had been benched for a calendar year by the NCAA for using a banned substance.
Defensively, linebacker Eddie Walls II had a career-high two sacks.
5. JENKINS ON POINT
Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins played well in Saturday’s game, which featured three tie scores and five lead changes.
Jenkins completed 21-of-34 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He did not take a sack, and he wasn’t intercepted.
For the season, Jenkins has 16 TD passes – five more than he threw as a freshman last season. Also, his interception rate is down from 3.3 percent last year to 2.7 percent.
6. FIU DEFENSE STRUGGLES
Jacksonville State ran for 234 yards and a 5.0 average.
Running back Tre Stewart rushed for 136 yards, a 6.2 average and two TDs. He leads Conference USA in rushing yards (1,219), rushing average (6.4), rushing TDs (20) and points (120).
Quarterback Tyler Huff was also a handful as he rushed for 76 yards, a 4.2 average and one TD. He ranks third in the league in rushing yards (902), rushing average (6.1) and rushing TDs (10).
7. TURNING POINT
A reverse/flea-flicker 39-yard pass from Jenkins to Ferguson gave FIU a 31-27 lead with 12:25 left in the game.
But on Jacksonville State’s next possession, Stewart had the play of the game – a 56-yard TD run right up the middle that gave the Gamecocks a 34-31 lead with 9:55 left.
FIU had two final chances to tie the score or take the lead. On the first drive following Stewart’s long run, FIU had a third-and-2 at its own 47, but a jet sweep to Rivers lost yardage, forcing a punt.
Then, on FIU’s final possession, the Panthers turned the ball over on downs as Jenkins threw two straight incompletions on third-and-5 and fourth-and-5.
This story was originally published November 17, 2024 at 9:39 AM.