Richard Gibson / Sports Director
The FIU football team was shut out 38-0 in Huntington against the Marshall Thundering Herd, to drop their season record to 1-7.
This is the first time that FIU has not scored in a football game since 2015, when they lost 52-0- also to Marshall. Out of their nine meetings dating back to 2011, Marshall has won seven of them, including the last three.
With the loss, FIU is now mathematically eliminated from bowl game contention for the second straight year. FBS teams such as the Panthers need to win at least six games in a season in order to qualify, but FIU only has four games left to play.
The Panthers are now ranked dead last out of the seven teams in the Conference USA Eastern Division, right behind the Old Dominion Monarchs, who FIU plays next week. The Panthers are also tied for the worst overall record in the conference with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
From the beginning of the game, it was a battle to see which team’s offense could break through and get on a roll. FIU never got to that point, thanks in part to a combination of missed field goals, failed fourth downs, and multiple turnovers.
The game began slowly, with both teams exchanging punts for over half of the first quarter. Marshall drove down the field to FIU’s territory, but the Panther’s defense limited the Herd to a field goal six minutes in.
In the second quarter, Marshall scored the first touchdown of the game, courtesy of a rush from their quarterback. FIU quarterback Max Bortenschlager was then intercepted by the Herd’s defense.
Marshall capitalized on the turnover, which turned into another quick touchdown to increase their lead to 17-0. Later in the quarter, the Herd progressed down the field to score another touchdown for the day.
With four seconds left in the second quarter, kicker Chase Gabriel’s field goal attempt was blocked, securing a 24-0 Marshall lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, FIU hoped to gain momentum on their drive with a solid performance by running back D’Vonte Price, however Gabriel’s second field goal attempt of the day was no good, keeping the Panthers scoreless.
The rest of the third quarter was quiet for both offenses until Marshall connected for another score with 30 seconds left, stretching their lead to 31-0. Marshall then scored on one more offensive possession in the fourth quarter for good measure to put the game away at 38-0.
Bortenschlager was held to a season-low 128 passing yards off of 17 completions. Price had another quiet game, only rushing for 51 yards off of 10 carries. Tight end Rivaldo Fairweather produced the most receiving yards in the game, however, with 59 total.
Marshall led in total yards on offense, converted more first downs, and forced two turnovers by the Panthers. Despite scoring no points, FIU only had a minute less than the Herd in time of possession.
FIU will head back to Miami to take on the Old Dominion Monarchs on Saturday, November 6 at 7pm.
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