Box Score Post-Game Audio: 
HC Mario Cristobal LB Toronto Smith QB Paul McCall RB Daunte Owens
Powered by 206 yards on the ground and 280 through the air, FIU beat WKU 37-20, Saturday night in Bowling Green for the Panthers' first win of the year. FIU improved to 1-4 on the season and 1-1 in Sun Belt action. WKU falls to 0-5 and 0-1 in conference play.
Paul McCall threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns, and Daunte Owens and Darriet Perry combined to rush for 159 yards as well as two Ownes' scores. Greg Ellingson led all receivers with five catches for 132 yards and one TD and Ty Frierson added 66 yards and a score as the FIU offense overpowered the WKU defense.
On defense, Scott Bryant and Jonathan Cyprien each had 10 tackles, and Toronto Smith had six, a sack and an interception as the Panthers gave up the least amount of points they allowed this season.
FIU opened the game taking the ball 79 yards for a touchdown, marking the first time this season the Panthers have scored on the opening drive. On the second play of the drive, McCall found Ellingson down the middle of the field for a 32-yard completion that put FIU into WKU territory. The drive was then capped off by another McCall to Ellingson connection, this one for 19 yards and touchdown.
After a WKU punt, the Panthers again put together a long drive, this time moving the ball 80 yards. However, the drive stalled at the WKU 13 where Dustin Rivest converted a 30 yard fieldgoal to push the FIU lead to 10-0.
Armed with good field position after a punt that gave them the ball at mid field, WKU picked up the remaining 50 yards for a touchdown, making the score 10-7.
With 4:05 remaining in the first half, FIU took over with great field position at their own 43 and they capitalized, scoring on an eight-yard Owens scamper. On 3rd and 13, McCall again found Ellingson, this time for a 13-yard completion and a drive-saving first down. On the following play, WKU appeared to have an interception; however the play was called back for pass interference. On the play, the WKU defender was all over Ellingson, making the FIU wideout fall down, which made the interception possible. The penalty gave FIU a first down on the WKU 14 and two plays later the Panthers were in the endzone.
FIU would force another WKU punt before the end of the half as the Panthers took a 17-7 lead into the break.
The Hilltoppers got the ball to start the second half and wasted little time cutting into the FIU lead as WKU went down and scored to make the score 17-14.
However, FIU would respond right away as some nice running by Daunte Owens set up the passing game, allowing McCall to connect with Frierson for a 40 yard TD strike. After the PAT, the score was 24-14 Panthers.
FIU's defense gave the ball right back to the offense, setting up a Panthers' field goal on the next drive. On 3rd and 16, McCall took off running and showed off some great moves, eluding several defenders on his way to a 15-yard gain. On the following play, Perry picked up the yard he needed to convert the 4th and short. However FIU's drive would stall on the WKU 22, setting up a 39 yard field goal that Rivest pounded through the uprights for a 27-14 FIU lead.
Another 39-yard FG by Rivest made the score 30-14, and on WKU's next drive Smith picked off a pass to set up FIU on the WKU 16. The Panthers would cash in immediately as Owens walked in almost untouched for his second score of the game and a 37-14 lead.
WKU would add a late touchdown to make the score 37-20, but that would be as close as the Hilltoppers would get as FIU sealed its first win of the season.
The Panthers return home next weekend as they host defending Sun Belt Conference champion Troy on Saturday at 7 p.m. (ET). The game is FIU's Blackout Game, so be sure to wear black to support your Panthers.
Of Note
FIU Captains: 13 - Toronto Smith, 32 - Carlos Munera, 58 - Andy Levine
Coin Toss: WKU won the toss and deferred to the second half. FIU elected to receive. WKU will defend the north endzone.
-Paul McCall's touchdown pass to Greg Ellingson in the opening drive of the game marked the first time this year that FIU has scored on their opening drive.
-McCall completed seven consecutive passes to start the game, tying Josh Padrick for the third most consecutive completions ever by an FIU QB (9 completions - Twice by Padrick).
-McCall's 65-yard completion to Greg Ellingson is FIU's longest offensive play so far this year.
-T.Y. Hilton's first quarter reception extended his streak of games with at least one reception to 16 games.
-Hilton, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury, was held without a touchdown, snapping his streak of nine consecutive games either scoring or throwing at least one touchdown.
-Hilton's 27-yard TD catch in the third quarter makes it nine consecutive games where he has either scored or thrown at least one TD.
-FIU's 17 first-half points are the most the Panthers have scored in the first half this year.
-FIU's 17-7 halftime lead is also the first time the Panthers have led at halftime this year.
-Ariel Martinez's first quarter catch was the first of his FIU career.
