Box Score Post-Game Audio: 
HC Mario Cristobal LB Scott Bryant QB Paul McCall
Monroe, La. - FIU's defense gave up over 500 yards of offense for the second-consecutive game and the Panthers' offense couldn't keep up as the ULM Warhawks beat the Panthers 48-35, Saturday afternoon at Malone Stadium in Monroe.
The Warhwaks (3-2; 2-0 SBC) were extremely successful on the ground, picking up 304 yards on 53 carries. FIU (0-4; 0-1 SBC) had success in the passing game, outgaining ULM 314-273.
For the Panthers, Paul McCall completed passes to a career-best nine receivers, racking up 314 yards and three scores. T.Y. Hilton set a new career best with 11 catches, which tied the FIU school record shared with Chandler Williams and Sam Smith. Hilton, amassing 117 yards and one TD for the game. Sophomore RB Darriet Perry ran the ball 12 times for 31 yards and two scores. On defense, Scott Bryant once again led the way with 14 tackles. He also added an interception and one sack.
FIU couldn't stop ULM running back Frank Goodin as he went for 163 yards and three scores on 19 carries. Warhawk wideout Darrel McNeal caught six balls for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
On ULM's second drive of the game, Justin West tipped a Trey Revell pass and Scott Bryant picked it off for his first interception of the year. Armed with great field position, the FIU offense wasted no time putting points on the board as Paul McCall connected with Greg Ellingson on a 22 yard touchdown pass, giving FIU a 7-0 lead with 10:42 left in the first quarter.
The Warhawks' next possession once again came to a halt at the hands of Bryant who delivered a crushing blow on ULM's QB for his first sack of the year, that coming on a third down play, forcing ULM to punt. The Panthers took over and drove down the field, but the drive eventually stalled at the ULM 20 and FIU was forced to attempt a 37 yard field goal. Dustin Rivest's attempt sailed wide right, keeping the score at 7-0.
FIU's defense came up big again on the ensuing possession, as Anthony Gaitor made two big plays to defuse the ULM drive. On first and five after an FIU offsides penalty, Gaitor sniffed out a screen pass and made a tackled behind the line of scrimmage to push the Warhawks back three yards. After a first down, ULM attempted a trick play as wideout Darrell McNeal took a handoff and then threw the ball down the field. However, Gaitor wasn't fooled and came down with the pass for his second interception of the season.
Trey Revell tied the score with 13:54 remaining in the second quarter as he scored on a nine-yard keeper.
Aided by a pass interference call on 3rd and 20 deep in FIU's territory, ULM took the lead on a nine-yard run by Frank Goodin, giving the Warhawks a 14-7 lead with 7:47 to go in the first half.
Paul McCall and the FIU offense responded right away, driving 66 yards in 1:46 to tie the score on a Darriet Perry eight-yard TD run. On third and five at the FIU 40, McCall found Ty Frierson who made a great leaping grab for a 22 yard gain and a first down. After McCall found Hilton for a big gain that set FIU up at the ULM eight yard line, Perry took an inside handoff and cut it back to the right for his first score of the year.
The score didn't remain tied for long as ULM scored on a TD pass to the back of the endzone. The play was reviewed by the officials, but the ruling on the field was confirmed and the Warhawks re-took the lead at 21-14 with 3:43 to go in the half.
ULM would add a fieldgoal before the end of the half, giving the Warhawks a 24-14 lead going into the break.
The Panthers got the ball to start the second half and took full advantage, driving 59 yards for a touchdown. The drive ended on a 27-yard touchdown pass from McCall to Hilton. With the PAT, the Panthers pulled within three at 24-21 with 12:25 to go in the third quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, ULM got a 54 yard return to give them great field position. The Warhawks capitalized immediately, scoring on a 35 yard TD run by Frank Goodin to push the lead back to 10 at 31-21.
With the Warhawks driving into FIU territory, ULM quarterback Trey Revell fumbled the football and Jarvis Wilson recovered it and returned the ball all the way to the ULM 15. On the ensuing drive, McCall found tight end Dudley LaPorte, who made a spectaculat one-handed grab in the endzone for the first touchdown of his FIU career. The score once again brought FIU to within three points at 31-28 with under five to play in the third quarter.
The following drive saw ULM drive 59 yards in 3:39 for another TD, giving ULM a 10 point lead with 1:04 left in the third. After both teams traded scoreless possessions for most of the fourth quarter, ULM added a 48 yard field goal with 4:41 to go in the game, making the score 41-28.
FIU's next drive ended on an interception and the Warhawks went down the field and added another rushing touchdown, and FIU responded with a rushing score of their own with 10 seconds left to bring the final score to 48-35.
The Panthers will be on the road again next weekend as they travel to Bowling Green, Ky. to face the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. Last year FIU beat WKU 27-3 in Miami.
Of Note
FIU at ULM Notes
FIU Captains: 12 - Paul McCall, 13 - Toronto Smith, 27 - John Ellis, 31 - Jarvis Wilson
Coin toss: ULM won the toss and elected to receive. FIU will kickoff from the north end of the field.
-FIU's 6-0 lead with 10:42 left in the first quarter is the earliest the Panthers have led in a ballgame this season.
-T.Y. Hilton's first quarter reception extended his streak of games with at least one reception to 15 games.
-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.
-Hilton's 11 receptions are a career-high, breaking his previous high of nine, which he set earlier this year against Rutgers (9/19) and matched against Toledo (9/26).
-Anthony Gaitor's first quarter interception was his second of the year and gives him nine for his career, moving him into sole possession of second place on the all-time list, passing Lionell Singleton. Nick Turnbull is the all-time leader with 16.
-Paul McCall completed a pass to nine different receivers, breaking his career high of eight.
-Darriet Perry's second quarter eight-yard TD run was the first of the season for the sophomore RB. He had two in 2008.
-Jacob Younger's second quarter reception was the first of his career.
-Tourek Williams' fourth-quarter sack was the first of his career.
