Behind a bruising rushing attack and an opportunistic defense FIU rolled past Marshall, 41-30, Saturday afternoon in Huntington, West Va. to put the Panthers one win from being bowl-eligible for the third time in the program's 16-year history.

With five wins in tow, FIU will try to become bowl-eligible next Saturday when UTSA comes to Miami. Ironically, the last time FIU played in a bowl game it was against Marshall in the 2011 Beef O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl.

Just as important, FIU knocked off a team ahead of the Panthers in the Conference USA East Division standings. The Herd (6-2, 3-1 C-USA) drops to a second place tie with FIU (5-2, 3-1 C-USA). Also, FIU has a 5-2 record for the first time in its history.

The Panthers rushed for 224 yards against the top rushing defense in Conference USA. The Herd defense had allowed 109.9 rushing yards per game before Saturday. Prior to FIU's rushing performance, North Carolina State (143 yards) rushed for the most yards against Marshall this season.

As has been the M.O. for FIU this season, the Panthers went after the Herd with a balanced offense. Along with the 224 yards on the ground, FIU receiver Thomas Owens collected another 100-yard game with an efficient Alex McGough throwing the ball. Owens now has four straight 100-yard receiving games.

FIU wasted no time scoring. On the second offensive play of the game, Marshall quarterback Chase Litton fumbled inside the Herd 20. FIU safety Bryce Canady recovered the ball at the Herd 13. Four plays later, Napoleon Maxwell rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. Maxwell led FIU with 93 rushing yards.

Marshall went three-and-out on its next possession. FIU scored again. This time McGough connected with tight end Pharoah McKever on passes of 17 and 21 yards to march the Panthers down field. Alex Gardner punched it in from seven yards out and FIU led 14-0.

Midway through the second quarter Marshall cut the FIU lead to 14-7 with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Litton to Willie Johnson.

However, the Panthers responded with 21 unanswered points to build a 35-7 lead well into the third quarter.

McGough and Owens hooked up on back-to-back touchdown passes. The first score was a pretty 41-yard strike down the middle of the field where Owens blew past two Herd defensive backs. The second touchdown took just 42 seconds. Gardner broke a 34-yard run to the Herd 34. Two plays later, McGough found Owens for a 19-yard touchdown.

Owens caught seven passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Owens's two touchdowns give him 20 for his FIU career, moving him into third place ahead of former FIU tight end Jonnu Smith, who had 18 scores. FIU all-time leading receiver T.Y. Hilton holds the program record with 24 receiving touchdowns. Cory McKinney, a receiver on FIU's 2002 inaugural team, is second with 22.

McGough was 14 of 18 for 177 yards with two touchdown passes.

The FIU defense produced the first score of the second half with a pick six. Cornerback Brad Muhammad intercepted Litton and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. FIU now led 35-7 with 6:11 left in the third quarter.

Muhammad had two interceptions in the game and has four on the season. Muhammad is one interception from tying the single-season FIU record of five shared by Richard Leonard, Anthony Gaitor, Lionell Singleton and Nick Turnbull.

Muhammad also led the Panthers with 10 tackles. Linebacker Sage Lewis had eight tackles.

Marshall made it a game with 23 second half points. The Herd drew to within 38-30 late in the fourth quarter but FIU kicker Jose Borregales salted the game away with a 38-yard field goal that put FIU up two scores with less than a minute to play.

Borregales converted two field goals. The redshirt freshman has made 10 consecutive field goals to place him second all-time in FIU history. Former FIU kickers Jack Griffin and Adam Moss each hit 11 straight field goals during their playing careers. Griffin hit 11 in a row twice.

FIU returns home for its next game when the UTSA Roadrunners visit Riccardo Silva Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.