COLLEGE STATION , Texas -   FIU entered its game against Texas A&M as heavy underdogs, but the Panthers battled for four quarters before just falling short in a 27-20 loss to the Aggies in College Station, Texas.

Down by seven points with no timeouts, less than four minutes left in the game and needing to go more than 70 yards to score, the Panthers drove to the Aggies 7.

On fourth-and-goal, FIU quarterback Wesley Carroll connected with receiver T.Y. Hilton, but Hilton was tackled short of the end zone at the 3 to turn the ball over on downs to the Aggies.

The Panthers didn't make it easy on the Aggies.

Texas A&M had to rally from a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter. The Aggies scored 21 unanswered points to spark their comeback victory.

For most of the game, the Panthers defense – which entered the game ranked as the No. 2 defense in the nation – dominated the Aggies offense and Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Jerrod Johnson.

FIU sacked Johnson six times in the first half and allowed just 203 total yards to Texas A&M through three quarters. The Panthers also forced five turnovers against the Aggies.

After a first half defensive struggle between the teams that resulted in two field goals by both the Panthers and Aggies, FIU took advantage of a couple of Johnson interceptions in the third quarter.

On the first possession of the second half, FIU safety Ash Parker picked off Johnson at the Aggies 19.

Three plays later, Panthers running back Darriet Perry scored from one yard out to give FIU a 13-6 lead.

Midway through the third quarter, FIU defensive back Anthony Gaitor swooped into the middle of the field and intercepted Johnson.
  
Gaitor sprinted 54 yards for a touchdown and extended the Panthers lead to 20-6.

The Panthers return to action next week as they travel to College Park, Md. to face the Maryland Terrapins at Noon.

Game Notes:

-This was the first-ever meeting in football between FIU and Texas A&M
-Captains for FIU: Senior safety No.11 Ashlyn Parker & senior linebacker No.13 Toronto Smith
-Coin toss: Texas A&M won the toss and deferred to the second half. FIU received to open the game.
-Jack Griffin's 38-yard field goal with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter was the first of his collegiate career.
-FIU senior WR Ariel Martinez was carted off with a leg injury with 4:56 left in the first quarter.
-Redshirt freshman Jarius Williams' reception with 10 minutes to go in the first half was the first of his collegiate career.
-Freshman Kedrick Rhodes' second-quarter carry was the first of his collegiate career.
-Ashlyn Parker's third-quarter interception was his first since 2007. A knee injury forced Parker to miss all of 2008 and 11 games in 2009.
-Anthony Gaitor's third quarter interception was his second of the year and 11^th of his career. He is now five behind FIU all-time leader Nick Turnbull.
-Redshirt-sophomore Emmanuel Souarin's third-quarter interception was the first of his collegiate career.
-FIU's four interceptions are the second-most in a single game in the program's history (5 vs. Florida Atlantic - 11/26/05)
-FIU's six sacks are the second-most in a single game in the program's history (7 vs. Butler - 9/14/02)
-Sophomore safety Jonathan Cyprien's 11 tackles are a new career-high.