MIAMI (Sept. 1) -  Indiana (1-0) scored 21 unanswered points to erase an FIU (0-1) lead and defeat the Panthers 38-28 Saturday night in the season opener for both teams at Riccardo Silva Stadium.

For game notes from tonight's game, click here. 
 
FIU scored first midway through the first quarter after orchestrating an 11-play, 66-yard drive. Running back Anthony Jones, returning from a knee injury that cost him last season, rushed for 36 of the 66 yards. Jones culminated the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
 
The score was Jones's first touchdown since 2016 when he scored against Marshall. Jones rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time in Jones's career that he scored two touchdowns in a game.
 
The Hoosiers scored the next 21 points. Two of the scores were on touchdown passes by Peyton Ramsey. Jonathan Crawford returned an interception 33 yards for the other touchdown.
 
The Panthers closed the gap to 21-14 with 6:12 left in the second quarter on Jones's second TD run – this one from 36 yards out. Quarterback Christian Alexander helped set up the score with a 17-yard pass to CJ Worton to the Indiana 47.
 
FIU scored its third touchdown of the game late in the third quarter. Shawndarrius Phillips plowed in for six from 1-yard out. Phillips rushed for 22 yards on the drive. James Morgan's 15-yard pass to Tony Gaiter got FIU to the Indiana 14.
 
With 6:04 left in the game, FIU drew within 10 points of Indiana. Morgan connected with receiver Maurice Alexander for a 7-yard touchdown pass. It was Alexander's first receiving touchdown of his career after making the position switch from quarterback last offseason.
 
Maurice Alexander's TD continued FIU's streak of 26 consecutive red zone scores. The Panthers led the nation in red zone scoring last season.
 
Morgan and Alexander splits series in the first half. Morgan played the entire second half. Morgan was 11 of 20 for 90 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Alexander was 6 of 8 for 67 yards.
 
Defensively, Sage Lewis led FIU with 18 tackles. Isaiah Brown had nine tackles. Both players achieved career highs in tackles.
 
Lewis's 18 tackles tied for fifth all-time in a single FIU game. Lewis tied former FIU linebacker Keyonvis Bouie, who had 18 tackles in a game three times in his career.
 
Eight Panthers made their first starts in an FIU uniform. Left tackle D'Ante Demery, Morgan, right guard Shacquille Williams, receiver CJ Worton, safety Olin Cushion III, linebacker Edwin Freeman, safety Dorian Hall and defensive end Kevin Oliver all earned their first starts.
 
FIU takes to the road for its next game. The Panthers travel to Norfolk, Virginia to take on Old Dominion next Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.