FIU Loses to FCS-Bethune Cookman for Second-Straight Year

It’s easy to see why FIU Athletics didn’t want the Miami Herald covering Saturday’s game vs. Bethune Cookman.

The FCS-Wildcats held FIU to 180 total yards to beat the Panthers for the second-straight year 14-12 in West Miami.

Saturday’s contest was a battle of futility and punts. The teams combined for 15 penalties, but no turnovers led to 15 punts.

FIU’s only touchdown of the game came in the fourth quarter, when freshman backup quarterback Alex McGough found T.J. Lauder for a five-yard score.

McGough, playing in his first college game, entered the contest in the second quarter. He finished the game 11-of-24 for 98 yards and the touchdown. Starter E.J. Hilliard went 3-of-6 for 26 yards (five rushes for 10 yards) before being lifted after B-C went ahead 7-0 on a one-yard Michael Jones touchdown run.

B-C went ahead on its first drive of the fourth quarter when quarterback Quentin Williams hit South Florida product Frank Williams for a 55-yard touchdown.

FIU had a chance to win in the final seconds of the game — when the Panthers set up for a 46-yard field goal. But the snap was botched, and punter Chris Ayers was tackled for a 16-yard loss to end the contest.

FIU lines up with another FCS opponent next week, as Wagner will come South Florida. The Seahawks beat Georgetown 21-3 Saturday.