Box Score
• Final
Statistics
Despite being out-gained nearly two-to-one
on offense, the FIU bend-but-don't-break defense
made key plays that helped FIU snap a five-game
losing streak with a 40-23 win over Florida
A&M, Saturday afternoon in the 68th annual
Orange Blossom Classic played in the Miami
Orange Bowl before a crown of 21,010.
The Golden Panthers defense rattled the Rattlers
with a school-record six sacks, four fumble
recoveries, two interceptions and accounted
for 16 of its first 26 points in the first
half as FIU held a 26-6 lead at the break.
The offense scored third and fourth-quarter
touchdowns that stymied any Florida A&M
second-half comeback.
Rashod Smith, held to just 15 yards at the
half, ended with 109 yards to become the first
Golden Panther ever to run for 1,000 yards
in a single season. With one game remaining
on the schedule in next Saturday's make-up
game against Florida Atlantic at Pro Player
Stadium, Smith now has 1,085 yards.
Smith's day was his fifth 100-yard game of
the year and fourth in a row, dating back
to Oct. 30 at New Mexico State.
Josh Padrick completed 13-of-26 passes for
181 yards and two touchdowns, both of those
to Cory McKinney who made four receptions
for 108 yards--one for 71 yards in the second
quarter that gave FIU some much-needed breathing
room.
Padrick's counterpart, FAMU signal-caller
Ben Dougherty was the Rattlers' main offensive
weapon, completing 45 of 60 passes for 436
yards and another 20 times for 87 yards. Overall,
the Rattlers amassed 546 net yards compared
to just 279 yards for FIU.
The Rattlers took the opening kickoff and
marched down the field behind Dougherty who
called his own number on an eight-yard touchdown
run capping a nine-play, 80-yard drive. But
the snap for the extra point sailed far over
the placement and was picked up by FIU defensive
back Zack Davis who returned the ball into
the FIU end zone for two points.
With FAMU up, 6-2, in the opening moments
of the second quarter, Dougherty again had
the offense marching. But on a first-and-goal
from the three, he was sacked and stripped
of the ball by linebacker Antwan Barnes at
the nine-yard line. Defensive lineman Venson
Jones scooped it up and, surrounded by a convoy
of Golden Panther defenders, rambled 89 yards
for a score and a 9-6 advantage.
The Golden Panthers Adam Moss hit on a 32-yard
field goal for a 12-6 lead and then on the
first play of FIU's next possession Padrick
found McKinney on a short pass in the flat.
McKinney dodged several would-be tacklers
as he made his way down the sideline for a
71-yard touchdown--the longest TD reception
in the history of the program.
Late in the frame, Dougherty again tried
to rally the Rattlers completing a pair of
passes to the FAMU 45. But on his next pass
attempt, Barnes stepped in front of the intended
receiver, picked off the pass and raced 51
yards for the score and a 26-6 FIU halftime
lead.
After rushing for a mere 15 yards on nine
carries in the first half, Smith took matters
in his own hands to begin the second half.
On FIU's opening drive, Smith ran for five,
seven and six yards assuring himself 1,000
yards on the year. After a pair of Padrick
completions to McKinney for 18 yards and Samuel
Smith for 19, Smith ran the ball the final
20 yards on three carries for his team-leading
12th touchdown of the season.
"This is a win we are all very pleased
with," said FIU head coach Don Strock
who had a little something to celebrate on
his 54th birthday. "I was thrilled with
the big plays and like I always say, play
hard for 60 minutes and good things will happen.
"We told the team before the game that
the winner of the turnover win the game. That's
exactly what happened today."
