MIAMI (Oct. 20, 2018) – Despite falling behind 7-0 to begin the game, FIU outscored visiting Rice 36-10 to follow as the Panthers clipped the Owls 36-17 at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Saturday night.
 
For game notes on tonight's victory, click here.
 
With the win, FIU improves to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in C-USA play, while Rice falls to 1-7 and 0-4 on the year. The 3-0 league start for FIU is just its second overall since joining the C-USA.
 
James Morgan led FIU once again through the air, as the Panther quarterback threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-29 passing while also running in a score. FIU's stable of running backs combined for 217 yards on the night, to lift the FIU ground attack.
 
Rice jumped out to an early lead on Saturday night as the Owls scored on a fourth and short deep in Panther territory after quarterback Evan Marshman scored on the seven-yard roll out. The Panthers finally got on the board at the start of the second quarter, after the FIU offense marched 65 yards before needing a 32-yard Jose Borregales field goal to make it 7-3.
 
The Panthers continued their second-quarter surge the ensuing drive as Maurice Alexander raced down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown run. An Edwin Freeman interception set FIU up for a 33-yard touchdown strike from James Morgan to Austin Maloney. FIU's extra point sailed wide to bring the score to 16-7, before the Owls tacked on three points at the end of the half to narrow the gap at 16-10 at the break.
 
FIU opened the second half with a 54-yard march to set up a 38-yard Borregales field goal, which the sophomore pushed through the uprights to make it 19-10. Morgan earned FIU's next score, as the Panther QB found Shemar Thornton in the corner of the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown pass. The Owls tacked on a touchdown to end the third quarter, after Rice's Marshman raced into the endzone for his second score of the game.
 
Morgan showed off his mobility midway through the fourth quarter as the quarterback rushed for his career first touchdown to put FIU up 33-17. Borregales tacked on the final points of the night as he nailed a 47-yard field goal to bring the final margin to 36-17.
 
UP NEXT
FIU hits the road for the first time in over a month next Saturday, as the Panthers travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky to face WKU. For those still wishing to purchase tickets, click here.
 
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