Mean Green Pounds Panthers 17-14

Despite a great performance by the FIU defense, North Texas pulled out a win 17-14. FIU was down 14-0 early until the FIU defense put up two scores to tie the game. North Texas would later strike back and kick a field goal to win, adding a victory to a series that has not been kind to the Mean Green.

The game was not an offensive show to say the least. Both quarterbacks had rough days with FIU's quarterback Alex McGough throwing for 56 yards and three interceptions and North Texas's Andrew McNulty throwing for 105 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Once again, FIU's defense showed, even though the offense stayed in Miami. All of the points for the Panthers came from the defense. This included a 74-yard punt return by cornerback Richard Leonard and a 71-yard interception for a touchdown by cornerback Jeremiah McKinnon.  Fun fact: McKinnon is Leonard's cousin.

FIU's linebacker Davison Colimon also contributed with eight tackles including a sack. FIU failed to move the ball offensively totaling a measly 147 total yards with 89 of the yards coming from running back Anthon Samuel who could not find his way to 100 yards like he has in the past two games for FIU.

North Texas, on the other hand, had a dominant run attack against FIU led by running back Reggie Pegram with 114 yards and a score. He put North Texas on the scoreboard first with the 54 yard run for a touchdown. Kicker Trevor Moore hit the game winning 36-yard field goal with time expiring in the third quarter.

The defense for North Texas was amazing, holding the offense to minimal gains and intercepting three passes off McGough. The front seven of North Texas put tons of pressure sacking McGough three times including two from linebacker Derek Akunne.  Akunne also had nine tackles in the game adding to his Conference USA lead in total tackles with 101.

For FIU this is the end of the season finishing out 4-8 and 3-5 in conference play. They lead the nation currently in forced turnovers. For North Texas, they improve to 4-7 and play one more game against fellow Texas school UTSA. Now that they have found their new starting quarterback in Andrew McNulty, look for North Texas to go to the Alamodome next Saturday and try to finish out what has been a very rough season for the Mean Green.

Player of the Game:

Player of the game goes to the secondary of the Mean Green who made the end of Alex McGough's freshman year a living nightmare, allowing him only 56 passing yards total from the FIU passing attack and picking him off three times. In addition to doing this, the secondary shut down tight end Jonnu Smith who last week against MTSU scored three touchdowns. Today Smith could only collect 15 yards off of four catches.