MIAMI – As FIU football continues its 25 Moments in 25 Seasons chronological timeline, the program looks back at one of the most dominant offensive performances in program history. On Sept. 15, 2018, the Panthers overwhelmed UMass, 63-24, tying the program record for most points scored in a single game.

SETTING THE TONE
FIU entered the 2018 season looking to build on a breakthrough 2017 campaign that included a 63-45 victory over UMass in the season finale. After opening the 2018 season with a competitive matchup against Indiana, the Panthers bounced back the following week with a gritty Conference USA victory at Old Dominion.

DOMINATED FROM THE START
The Panthers wasted little time finding the end zone. Shawndarrius Phillips powered FIU's opening drive, rushing for 35 yards before finishing the seven-play, 59-yard series with a four-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers an early 7-0 advantage.

Phillips continued to make an impact on FIU's next scoring drive, hauling in a 35-yard reception from quarterback James Morgan to set the Panthers up at the UMass 23-yard line. Three plays later, freshman running back Napoleon Maxwell punched it in from three yards out to extend the lead to 14-0.

Phillips struck again on FIU's next possession, scoring from 22 yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon. The Panthers continued pouring it on in the second quarter. Freshman tight end Sterling Palmer recorded his first collegiate touchdown on an eight-yard reception from Morgan before Morgan connected with Maurice Alexander on a 38-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-10.

Morgan finished the afternoon 16-of-23 passing for 207 yards and two touchdowns. With just over a minute remaining before halftime, D'Vonte Price scored on a three-yard run, giving FIU 42 points in the opening half and tying the program record for most points scored in a half.

The Panthers added two more touchdowns in the third quarter. Alexander made FIU history when he returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown, becoming the first Panther to record a receiving touchdown and punt-return touchdown in the same game.

Moments later, freshman linebacker Rocky Jacques-Louis intercepted Michael Curtis and returned the pick 59 yards for a touchdown, pushing FIU's lead to 56-17. Maxwell capped the scoring early in the fourth quarter with a 17-yard touchdown run. When the final whistle sounded, FIU had matched the program record with 63 points, tying the mark set against UMass the previous season.

The offensive explosion provided an early glimpse of what would become a memorable 2018 campaign and remains one of the most dominant single-game performances in FIU Football history.

25TH SEASON CELEBRATION
The upcoming 2026 season for the Panthers officially marks FIU's 25th season of football competition, dating back to the Panthers' first-ever season in 2002. Over that time period, FIU has qualified for six bowl games, secured six Shula Bowl victories and produced countless NFL players, including Pro Bowlers T.Y Hilton and Jonnu Smith. The program has also seen many legendary coaches and outstanding players pass through the Panther facilities throughout its history, creating a litany of incredible moments experienced by Panther Nation. 

Fans can be expected to be taken on a journey back to the inception of the program all the way up to the present day, recognizing the standard set by the first teams and acknowledging how many past Panthers have helped to build on that legacy. All of this will lead up and continue through the 25th official season in 2026, the second under head coach Willie Simmons, following one of the most historic seasons on record in his first year on the sidelines. 

As the campaign begins with a variety of content in the coming weeks, visit our one-stop shop for the 25th Season Celebration. In conjunction with this, fans are encouraged to follow along with the many highly-engaging pieces of content recognizing the past that will be released on FIU Football's social media channels, listed below. 

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.