Old Dominion scored 10 unanswered points in the waning minutes of the second quarter to snap a tie and defeat FIU 37-30 Saturday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium. With the victory, the Monarchs (4-6, 2-4 Conference USA) snapped the Panthers (6-3, 4-2 C-USA) three-game winning streak and also handed FIU its first home loss this season.

With the score tied 14-14 late in the second quarter, ODU used an FIU pass interference penalty and a 19-yard pass from Steven Williams to Melvin Vaughn to move into field goal range. Nick Rice hit a 41-yard field goal to give the Monarchs a 17-14 lead.

After the ensuing FIU possession stalled at the Panthers 41, ODU had just enough time to extend its lead before halftime. The Monarchs scored in 71 seconds when Williams connected with Ray Lawry on an 11-yard touchdown pass. ODU led 24-14 at halftime.

FIU drew within one point in the third quarter.

The Panthers took the opening possession of the second half and scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-21. Alex Gardner had a 31-yard run to the ODU 45. Alex McGough found Austin Maloney for 22 yards to the ODU 17. Three plays later Gardner hit pay dirt.

Gardner led FIU with 95 rushing yards.

FIU made it a one-point game with 5:07 left in the third quarter when the Panthers defensive pressure forced Williams into a grounding penalty in the end zone resulting in a safety. It was the first safety for an FIU defense since 2014 when the Panthers recorded a safety against Pittsburgh.

The Monarchs led 24-23 at that point but scored the next 13 points to build a 37-23 lead.

FIU battled until the end. With 20 seconds left in the game, McGough threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gaiter to bring the Panthers within a touchdown, 37-30.

FIU recovered the onside kick at its 48. The Panthers had 15 seconds left with no timeouts to go 52 yards for the tie.

After two incomplete passes, McGough launched a Hail Mary into the end zone that fell incomplete.

McGough was 35 of 50 for 323 yards and two touchdowns. The senior quarterback's first touchdown was a 13-yard pass to Shermar Thornton – marking the freshman receiver's first career touchdown.

Thomas Owens had 11 catches for 87 yards. The 11 catches ties for second most in an FIU game. Owens -- who already has had 11 receptions in a game twice before in his career – tied former Panthers Wayne Times, T.Y. Hilton, Chandler Williams and Sam Smith with 11 catches in a game.

FIU travels to Boca Raton next Saturday for Don Shula Bowl XVI against Florida Atlantic. The Panthers and Owls kickoff from FAU Stadium at 6 p.m.