The FIU football team hoped its luck would change, coming home after a pair of one-point losses on the road. But Bowling Green had other ideas and the Falcons spoiled the Golden Panthers home opener with a 33-28 victory Saturday night at FIU Stadium.

Despite the fact that FIU compiled more total offense than BGSU (2-1), the Falcons pressured Golden Panthers quarterback Josh Padrick all evening long, recording three sacks and numerous other hurries. Add 11 penalties, three interceptions and a fumble and you had all the makings of a long night for FIU.

Meanwhile, the Bowling Green quarterback tandem of Anthony Turner and Freddie Barnes each tossed a TD pass and Barnes ran for and caught another as the Falcons won their second-straight game and sent FIU to its third-straight defeat.

"It was a game where we made too many mistakes," said FIU head coach Don Strock. "You make that many mistakes and you're not going to win."

Bowling Green took the opening kick and scored six plays later, when Turner found Barnes for a three-yard score, but they missed the extra point.

The Golden Panthers took advantage of the miscue later in the quarter when A'mod Ned raced 80 yards for a touchdown?the longest run from scrimmage since a 76-yarder by Rashod Smith at New Mexico State on Oct. 30, 2004. The PAT, made by Dustin Rivest, gave FIU a short-lived 7-6 advantage after one quarter.

On the night, Ned finished with a career-best 169 yards on 16 carries?the sophomore's first career 100-plus-yard rushing game.

But Bowling Green took command in the second quarter, first on a Barnes touchdown pass to Sean O'Drobinak for a three-yard score and then, on the ensuing kickoff, with a fumble by Chandler Williams that was scooped up by Jerrett Sanderson, for a nine-yard touchdown, which put BGSU on top, 20-7.

The Golden Panthers closed to within 20-14 with a 14-play, 73-yard drive capped with a one-yard Julian Reams run, but the Falcons countered and went into the half with a 23-14 advantage after a 38-yard field goal by Sean Ellis.

FIU looked to take the momentum coming into the second half when Lionell Singleton grabbed the opening kickoff and went 98 yards for a touchdown for only the second time in FIU football history.

But Bowling Green seemed always one step ahead, scoring on a Barnes 7-yard run in the opening moments of the fourth quarter for a 30-21 lead. FIU cut it to 30-28 with another Reams TD run, this time for six yards, but the Golden Panthers could get no closer.

FIU had one final chance, taking over the ball at its own 20 with 1:04 to play. But the game ended with a Padrick heave into the end zone from 40-yards out was picked off by the opportunistic Sanderson to end the game.

"We talk about being consistent, not just two good plays and then two bad ones," said a frustrated Strock. "I understand that we are very young in a lot of areas and these are going to be growing pains. But there comes a time, when after a while, someone needs to step up."

Once again, the Golden Panthers must regroup because next weekend the team travels to play the University of Maryland in College Park. After that, it's two-straight Sun Belt Conference games, starting at home on Sept. 30 against defending league champion Arkansas State and then back on the road Oct. 7 at North Texas.