| WEEK 2: FIU (1-0) at Texas State (0-1) |
QUICK HITS
- FIU and Texas State will be meeting for the second straight season and the second time in history on Saturday night in San Marcos.
- The Panthers dropped a 23-17 overtime decision to the Bobcats in Miami on Sept. 11, 2021 in the previous matchup.
SETTING THE STAGE
PANTHERS OPEN ROAD SLATE AT TEXAS STATE ON SATURDAY
The Panthers will open the road portion of the schedule with a visit to San Marcos, Texas, to battle Texas State on Saturday, Sept. 10 in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN+.
The game will mark the first of three trips slated for the Lone Star State in 2022 for FIU as the Panthers will also head to Denton to battle North Texas on Nov. 5 and El Paso to face UTEP on Nov. 19.
The contest will be televised live on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman (pxp), Keith Moreland (analyst) and Koral Riggs (sideline) on the call.
The game can also be heard on Miami's WQBA 1140 AM with
AJ Ricketts (pxp) and Corey Brooks (analyst) calling the action.
FIU OPENS MIKE MACINTYRE ERA WITH OT WIN IN OPENER
The Panthers rallied by scoring 32 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to post a 38-37 victory over Bryant on Sept. 1.
Sophomore quarterback
Grayson James tossed his fourth touchdown of the game in overtime and then connected with
EJ Wilson Jr. on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt to cap a thrilling come-from-behind 38-37 overtime victory over the Bulldogs in
Mike MacIntyre's first game as FIU head coach.
James, entered the game for the Panthers in the third quarter and directed each of the Panthers' final five scoring drive. He finished the contest 16-of-31 for 207 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes - all in the second half.
LAST TIME VS. TEXAS STATE
Saturday's matchup will mark the second consecutive season, yet only the second time that FIU and Texas State have met on the gridiron.
The Bobcats edged the Panthers 23-17 in overtime at FIU Stadium in the only previous meeting on Sept. 11, 2021.
TSU's Brock Sturges scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground, including the game winner from 11 yards out in overtime.
D'Vonte Price rushed for 111 yards in the loss for the Panthers and quarterback
Max Bortenschlager completed 17-of-34 passes for 259 yards and two TDs.
Tyrese Chambers snagged four passes for a team-high 79 yards, including one for a TD in the loss.
The Panthers lost three fumbles in the defeat.
PANTHERS PERFECT IN RED ZONE
FIU was a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone during its 38-37 win over Bryant in the season opener on Sept 1.
The Panthers scored four touchdowns and one field goal during their red zone visits - which has them currently tied with 63 other teams for tops in the nation.
53-POINT FLURRY IN OPENER
FIU trailed Bryant 16-6 entering the fourth quarter of the season opener on Sept. 1 before coming from behind with a total of 32 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The game featured a total of 53 combined points scored during the fourth quarter and overtime – a total of seven touchdowns, six extra points, one two-point conversion and one field goal during the stretch.
JAMES COMES OFF BENCH VS BRYANT
Sophomore signal
Grayson James came off the bench in the season opener following an injury to starter
Gunnar Holmberg in the third quarter to lead the Panthers back from a 16-6 deficit to a 38-37 overtime victory
He completed 16-of-31 passes for 207 yards and four touchdowns, including a five-yard scoring connection with
Tyrese Chambers in overtime and the ensuing two-point conversion to EJ Wilson via a three-yard pass.
James entered the contest with a total of 18 completions on 27 pass attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown in his career - all of which came in 2021.
He became the first FIU quarterback to record four TD passes in a game since Max Bortenchalger notched four against Charlotte on Oct. 8, 2021.
COACH MAC ROLLS THE DICE IN DEBUT
FIU head coach
Mike MacIntyre wasted no time showing the Panther fanbase that he isn't afraid to take a shot with the game on the line in the season opener on Sept. 1 vs. Bryant.
MacIntyre made the decision to go for a two-point conversion with the Panthers trailing by one after scoring on their possession in the opening overtime stanza.
The Panthers, who gave up a touchdown and extra point on the previous possession to the Bulldogs, scored on the conversion on a three-yard pass from
Grayson James to running back EJ Wilson to secure the come-from-behind win in dramatic fashion.
BIGGEST COMEBACK FROM FIU SINCE...
FIU rallied from a 16-0 deficit in the season opener to post a 38-37 overtime win over Bryant.
The win marked the largest come-from-behind win (16-0 deficit) for the Panthers since defeating Old Dominion 28-20 on Sept. 8, 2018, after trailing 17-0.
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR BRYANT
FIU wide receivers
Tyrese Chambers and
Kris Mitchell each registered a pair of touchdown catches in the Panthers 38-37 win over Bryant in the 2022 season opener on Sept. 1.
It marks the first time that a Panther has recorded two TD grabs in the same contest since
Bryce Singleton snagged two vs. Old Dominion on Nov. 6, 2021.
Mitchell finished with career bests in receiving TDs (2) and yards (80).
CHAMBERS PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Senior wide receiver
Tyrese Chambers snagged two touchdowns for the first time this season and has now recorded at least one TD in nine of 13 games at FIU.
The Biletnikoff candidate has posted 75 yards or more in 7-of-13 career games.
SCOUTING TEXAS STATE
The Bobcats enter Saturday's meeting with the Panthers looking for their first win following a 38-14 setback at Nevada on Sept. 3.
Texas State, who finished 4-8 in 2021, is led by signal caller Layne Hatcher, who is in his first season with the Bobcats after transferring from Arkansas State. He has thrown for over 7,000 yards in his career - which ranks 14th among active FBS quarterbacks. In addition, Hatcher has tossed 67 career touchdowns - seventh-most among active FBS players.
Overall, the Bobcats return 54 letterwinners from last season, including 10 offensive and six defensive starters.
The Bobcats have not won a home opener since 2018.
FIU - TEXAS CONNECTION
The Panthers feature a total of five players on their roster that hail from the Lone Star State.
* - by comparison, Texas State has a total of three players from the state of Florida listed on its roster.
START OF ROADSWING
Saturday's game at Texas State will mark the start of a season-long three game roadtrip that will span a total of four weeks - including a bye.
The Panthers will follow Saturday's game with the Bobcats with their bye week, before resuming action with the Conference USA opener at Western Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 24.
FIU will close out the road stretch on Saturday, Oct. 1 at New Mexico State.
Overall, the Panthers will travel over 3,900 miles and play in three different time zones during the run.
FIU VS. THE SUN BELT
The Panthers are 13-37 all-time vs. programs that are currently members of the Sun Belt Conference - entering Saturday's clash with Texas State.
FIU vs. The Sun Belt
| Georgia Southern |
0-2 |
| Marshall |
2-7 |
| Old Dominion |
3-4 |
| Arkansas State |
2-7 |
| Louisiana |
2-8 |
| South Alabama |
1-0 |
| Texas State |
0-1 |
| Southern Miss |
1-1 |
| Troy |
2-7 |
OVERTIME HISTORY
FIU now stands at 6-6 all-time in overtime games following its 38-37 victory over Bryant on Sept. 1.
Overtime Games (6-6)
| Date |
Opponent |
OTs |
Result |
Score |
| 11/15/03 |
at Gardner-Webb |
1 |
L |
19-22 |
| 9/11/04# |
at Youngstown State |
1 |
W |
22-16 |
| 10/7/06 |
at North Texas |
7 |
L |
22-25 |
| 11/29/08 |
at Florida Atlantic |
1 |
L |
50-57 |
| 10/31/09 |
Louisiana |
1 |
W |
20-17 |
| 11/6/10 |
ULM |
2 |
W |
42-35 |
| 10/25/11 |
Troy |
2 |
W |
42-35 |
| 9/8/12 |
Akron |
1 |
W |
41-38 |
| 11/24/12 |
ULM |
1 |
L |
17-23 |
| 11/30/19 |
at Marshall |
1 |
L |
27-30 |
| 9/11/21 |
Texas State |
1 |
L |
17-23 |
| 9/1/22 |
Bryant |
1 |
W |
38-37 |
FIU ALL-TIME IN LONE STAR STATE
FIU owns an all-time record of 6-6 in games played in the state of Texas.
FIU All-Time in Texas
| 10/9/04 |
at Stephen F. Austin |
W, 31-24 |
| 9/10/05 |
at Texas Tech |
L, 3-56 |
| 10/7/06 |
at North Texas |
L, 22-25 (OT) |
| 10/4/08 |
at North Texas |
W, 42-10 |
| 9/18/10 |
at Texas A&M |
L, 20-27 |
| 10/16/10 |
at North Texas |
W, 34-10 |
| 11/16/13 |
at UTEP |
L, 10-33 |
| 10/11/14 |
at UTSA |
L, 13-16 |
| 10/8/16 |
at UTEP |
W, 35-21 |
| 9/23/17 |
at Rice |
W, 13-7 |
| 11/10/18 |
at UTSA |
W, 45-7 |
| 9/18/21 |
at Texas Tech |
L, 21-54 |
ROAD OPENERS
FIU enters Saturday's clash at Texas State 5-15 all-time in road openers.
The Panthers last win in the initial road clash of the season came in 2018 by a 28-20 margin at Old Dominion.
FIU ALL-TIME IN ROAD OPENERS
| 9/7/02 |
at Elon |
L/22-23 |
| 9/6/03 |
at Indiana State |
L/10-13 |
| 9/11/04 |
at Youngstown State |
W/22-16 (OT) |
| 9/3/05 |
at Kansas State |
L/21-35 |
| 8/31/06 |
at Middle Tennessee* |
L/6-7 |
| 9/1/07 |
at No. 17 Penn State |
L/0-59 |
| 8/30/08 |
at Kansas |
L/10-40 |
| 9/12/09 |
at No. 4 Alabama |
L/14-40 |
| 9/18/10 |
at Texas A&M |
L/20-27 |
| 9/9/11 |
at Louisville (Fri.) |
W/24-17 |
| 9/1/12 |
at Duke |
L/26-46 |
| 8/31/13 |
at Maryland |
L/10-43 |
| 9/27/14 |
at UAB* |
W/34-20 |
| 9/3/15 |
at UCF (Thurs.) |
W/15-14 |
| 9/17/16 |
at UMass |
L/13-21 |
| 8/31/17 |
at UCF (Thurs.) |
L/17-61 |
| 9/8/18 |
at Old Dominion* |
W/28-20 |
| 8/29/19 |
at Tulane |
L/14-42 |
| 9/26/20 |
at Liberty |
L/34-36 |
| 9/18/21 |
at Texas Tech |
L/21-54 |
UP NEXT - NATIONALLY TELEVISED C-USA OPENER
The Panthers will enjoy a bye during week three (Sept. 17) before returning to action with the Conference USA opener at Western Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 24 in Bowling Green, Ky.
The game with the Hiltoppers will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised to a national audience on CBS Sports Network - the first of three appearances for the Panthers on the network.
