Box Score MIAMI (Oct. 26, 2011) - Jack Griffin kicked a 22-yard field goal in overtime to give the Panthers a 23-20 victory over Troy, Tuesday night in Miami.
The overtime kick was set up by another Griffin field goal, which tied the game at 20 with 3:31 left in regulation. The FIU kicker finished the contest a perfect three-of-three on field goals.
Offensively, Kedrick Rhodes led the way for the Panthers with a career-high 172 rushing yards. Wayne Times also set a career-high, his in receiving yards, as he finished with a game-high six catches for 97 yards and one score. T.Y. Hilton finished the contest with four receptions for 62 yards, while Jacob Younger added a touchdown on 52 receiving yards.
Wes Carroll completed 20-of-37 passes for 285 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Defensively, Jose Cheeseborough and Sam Miller had eight tackles apiece, while Tourek Williams matched a career-high with a pair of sacks.
Troy got on the board first when D.J. Taylor turned the corner on the FIU defense and rushed for a 15-yard score, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead with 5:24 to go in the first quarter.
FIU got on the board with 11:10 to go in the first half when Jack Griffin connected on a 32-yard attempt. The score came after three false start penalties that caused FIU's drive to stall inside the redzone.
After over 15 scoreless minutes, the Panthers put up seven when Carroll found Times who streaked down the sideline for a 76-yard touchdown. The touchdown gave FIU its first lead of the game, a 10-7 advantage with 10:42 to go in the third quarter. The 76-yard reception was the longest of Times' career.
On FIU's next possession, the Panthers put up seven more through the air when Carroll hooked up with Younger for a 43-yard touchdown. The score capped off a 71-yard drive that included a 30-yard rush by Darriet Perry. The touchdown put FIU up 17-7 with 6:31 remaining in the third quarter.
The ensuing Troy drive ended abruptly when Corey Robinson tried to go deep, but FIU's Sam Miller was there to pick off the pass and give the ball back to FIU.
However, FIU was forced to punt and the Trojans capitalized, putting up a touchdown on their next drive. The score came at the 2:22 mark when Shawn Southward scored on a three-yard run. The touchdown made it 17-13 after Troy's PAT was no-good.
Troy took the lead on the Panthers when a fumble by Glenn Coleman was returned 30 yards by Troy's Tony Davis for a touchdown, giving the Trojans a 20-17 lead with 1:29 to go.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, FIU looked to be in position to at least tie the game as they found themselves with a first down inside Troy's 20-yard line. However, another fumble, this one by Perry, ended FIU's threat.
FIU got the ball back quickly after the defense, led by Williams' second sack, forced a three-and-out. The ensuing punt was returned by Hilton 31-yards to the Troy 21.
The Panthers took advantage of the field position, tying the score at 20 with 3:31 to go on a 20-yard field goal by Griffin.
Neither team was able to score again in regulation, sending the contest into overtime.
Troy was on offense to open overtime, and after not picking up a first down, their field goal attempt sailed wide left. On FIU's first possession, the Panthers drove the ball down to the four-yard line to set up a chip shot for Griffin, who sent the ball through the uprights for his third field goal and an FIU victory.
The win improves FIU's record to 5-3 and 2-2 in Sun Belt play. The Trojans fall to 2-5 and 1-3 in conference play. FIU is now 4-3 all-time in overtime games.
Up next for the Panthers is a trip to Bowling Green, Ky. on November 5 to face the WKU Hilltoppers.
FIU Postgame Notes
- T.Y. Hilton, Wesley Carroll, Jonathan Cyprien, Darriet Perry were the captains. Troy won the toss and deferred.
- FIU allowed just its fourth first quarter touchdown all season when Troy rushed in a score with 5:24 left in the opening period.
- The Panthers were shutout in the first quarter for just the second time this season (vs. UCF 9/17), and also trailed after the first quarter for only the second time (vs. Duke, 10/1).
- Tourek Williams recorded his 11th and 12th career sacks, moving him to third all-time in program history (previously Jarvis Wilson).
- Wayne Times hauled in his longest-career reception in the third quarter, a 76-yard touchdown catch from Wesley Carroll.
- Wayne Times finished with a career-high 97 receiving yards, surpassing his previous high of 75 set on 9/24 against Louisiana.
- Wide receiver Jacob Younger caught his first-career touchdown in the third quarter, a 43-yard reception. The redshirt junior also set a new personal best with 52 receiving yards on the night.
- Sophomore Sam Miller recorded his first-career interception in the third quarter, beating the Troy receiver on a deep ball for the turnover.
- The Panthers are now 4-3 all-time in overtime games.
- Kedrick Rhodes set a new career-high in rushing yards with 174, surpassing his previous mark of 157 set versus Louisiana (9/24/2011).
