MIAMI (Sept. 20, 2014) – After an hour-plus weather delay, the FIU football team (1-3) fell to the Louisville Cardinals, 34-3, Saturday evening. Junior Michael Wakefield set a career-high for sacks and tackles for loss in the effort, while FIU's defense was able to stabilize the Cardinals' rushing offense, allowing just 12 rushing yards, which is the third-fewest in FIU history.

Louisville scored a quick seven points on its opening drive before the Panthers' defense settled down, limiting Cardinals quarterback Will Gardner to throwing just three-of-eight for the remainder of the first quarter. On second and six on the Cardinals' second drive, senior Giovani Francois sacked Gardner for a loss of 12 yards.

The Panthers defense was able to force its 10^th turnover this season, with Louisville approaching the goal line. On third and goal, Wakefield sacked Gardner for a seven-yard loss while forcing a fumble. Junior Denzell Perine recovered the loose ball.

The Cardinals scored three times in the second quarter and led 28-0 going into the final seconds of the half. Freshman Alex McGough took the Panthers 54 yards on six plays on a drive lasting just over 1:20. On second and 11, McGough carried the ball 26 yards to the Cardinals' 40-yard line, before rushing for an additional 18 yards on the following play. An 11-yard route to sophomore Jonnu Smith set up sophomore Austin Taylor for a 28-yard field goal.

Wakefield came up with his second sack of the game on the Cardinals first drive of the second half, after their defense forced an FIU turnover on the Panthers' nine-yard line to start the half. On third down, Perine took down Gardner for a loss of 11 yards. FIU would only surrender a field goal on the drive, as the Cardinals took a commanding, 31-3 lead. Louisville tacked on one final field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Junior E.J. Hilliard came in under center for FIU after the Panthers' first series of the second half, after McGough took a hard hit on a third down. He finished the night 8-of-12 for 70 yards, with a game-long 25-yard pass to redshirt senior Glenn Coleman.

Conference USA action begins next weekend for the Panthers, as FIU heads to Birmingham, Ala. Kickoff against the UAB Blazers is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.

About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.