Box Score AKRON, Ohio (Oct. 9, 2011) - The Panther offense racked up 524 yards and the FIU defense limited Akron to just 269 as the Panthers beat the Zips, 27-17, Saturday afternoon in Akron, Ohio.
Sophomore running back Kedrick Rhodes led the way for FIU, rushing for 126 yards and a score. Wes Carroll completed 26-of-38 passes for 308 yards, and T.Y. Hilton caught an FIU-record 12 passes for 144 yards to power the Panther aerial attack. Darriet Perry added a pair of rushing touchdowns, moving into sole possession of first place on the FIU all-time rushing touchdown leaderboard.
After forcing a punt on Akron's first drive, FIU took over on its own 34 and drove deep into Akron territory before settling for a field goal attempt. However, Jack Griffin's attempt hit the upright, keeping the game scoreless with 10 minutes to go in the first quarter.
A three-and-out for Akron gave the Panthers the ball back at the FIU 20. Behind 34 passing yards from Carroll and 26 on the ground from Rhodes, FIU drove into Akron territory but again had to settle for a field goal attempt. This time, Griffin connected on a 37-yard attempt to put FIU up 3-0 with 5:23 to play in the first.
The Zips came back with a long drive of their own, driving 76 yards to the endzone to take a 7-3 lead with 1:49 to go in the first quarter. The drive was capped off by a one-yard run from Jawon Chisholm, who earlier set up the score with a 27-yard scamper.
A fumble on FIU's next drive gave Akron the ball in Panther territory and the Zips capitalized, making the score 10-3 on a 40-yard field goal by A.J. Fox.
After forcing a three-and-out, FIU took over on their own 49-yard line and drove 51 yards to tie the score at 10 with 4:04 to play in the first half. The drive was capped off by a Darriet Perry two-yard touchdown run, which was Perry's 25th rushing score of his career, a new FIU record.
Akron's next drive ended on an interception when Andre Pound tipped a pass and Terrance Taylor came up with the INT to give FIU the ball at the Akron 43. On the ensuing drive, Carroll found Hilton three times for 34 yards, including a 19-yarder to the Akron six-yard line. However, FIU couldn't find the endzone and had to settle for another Griffin field goal attempt, which was good from 20 yards to put FIU up 13-10 with 19 seconds to play in the half.
The teams traded punts to start the second half, and FIU began its second drive on its own 19-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Carroll found Willis Wright on a short completion and the sophomore turned it into a 68-yard gain. A few plays later, Rhodes found the endzone for his sixth rushing touchdown of the year, and a 20-10 FIU lead with 5:47 to go in the third.
After another pair of punts, Akron pulled to within three when Clayton Moore avoided the FIU pass rush and escaped for a 15-yard touchdown run. The play was set up by a 44-yard connection between Moore and receiver A.J. Price. The rushing touchdown made the score 20-17 with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
On the ensuing drive, the Panthers responded with a rushing touchdown of their own, Perry's second of the game, to extend their lead to 27-17 with 12:38 to go.
Late in the ballgame the Zips were deep in FIU territory, but a fumble gave the ball back to the Panthers with under four minutes to play. FIU would punt on the ensuing drive, but the Zips wouldn't score anymore as the Panthers held on for the 27-17 victory.
FIU has a bye week next before going to Jonesboro, Ark. on Tuesday, October 18 to face Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State at 8 p.m. That game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
-No. 4 T.Y. Hilton, No. 7 Jonathan Cyprien, No. 13 Wes Carroll & No. 28 Darriet Perry served as captains for the Panthers.
-FIU won the toss and deferred to the second half. Akron received to open the game.
-T.Y. Hilton is now second all-time at FIU with 194 career receptions (Chandler Williams - 199).
-Wes Carroll's second-quarter interception was his first of the season and his first in 131 attempts, dating back to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (10/26/10).
-Isame Faciane's second quarter sack was FIU's first since Sam Miller sacked UCF's Jeff Godfrey in the third quarter of FIU's win over the Knights (9/17/11).
-Darriet Perry's second-quarter touchdown was the 25th rushing score of his career, surpassing Rashod Smith for the FIU career rushing touchdown record. He finished the game with 26 career rushing scores.
-Terrance Taylor's second-quarter interception was the first of his career.
-This marks T.Y. Hilton's 11th career game with 100+ receiving yards. It's also his fourth such game this year, surpassing his previous season-high of three (2008). The FIU single-season record is five (2002 - Corey McKinney).
-Hilton set an FIU record with 12 receptions.
-Willis Wright set career-bests for catches (4), receiving yards (85) and long reception (68).
-With 308 yards, Wes Carroll becomes the first Panther ever to throw for over 300 yards in back-to-back weeks.
-Carroll's 26 completions are a season-high.
-The 269 yards allowed are a season-low for FIU.
-FIU's 29 first downs are a season-high.
-This marks the first time this year FIU has won a game in which it has won time of possession and run more plays than the opponent (1-2).
-FIU's 216 rushing yards are a season-high.
