Florida International Panthers Dominate Central Michigan Chippewas at Pitbull Stadium
In a decisive showdown at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, the Florida International Panthers demonstrated their prowess with a commanding 52-16 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas. Both squads entered the fray with identical 1-1 records, yet it was the Panthers who emerged victorious, elevating their season's prospects through a comprehensive display of skill and strategy. The match attracted an impressive crowd of 17,852 spectators, all eager to witness the clash.
The offensive unit of Florida International was relentless, amassing an impressive total of 309 yards and maintaining an average gain of six yards per play. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins was pivotal in this onslaught, throwing for 124 yards and two touchdowns on a completion rate of over fifty percent (10 out of 18 attempts), earning him a passer rating of 150.09. The ground game was equally formidable; the team chalked up 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns from thirty-three carries. Running back Lexington Joseph shone brightly in this aspect, breaking free for a spectacular long run of thirty-five yards that culminated in a touchdown.
On defense, Florida International's performance was nothing short of stellar. The team intercepted five passes during the game and returned them for an imposing total of one hundred twenty-two yards; notably, Brian Blades II turned one such interception into a thrilling twenty-one-yard touchdown return. Jamal Potts stood out on defense as well by not only intercepting a pass but also sacking the quarterback once and landing two hits on opposing quarterbacks.
The special teams unit contributed significantly to the victory as well; kicker Chase Gabriel flawlessly executed all five extra-point opportunities presented to him and drilled his sole field goal attempt from forty-two yards away.
Looking forward to their next challenge, Florida International Panthers are set to go head-to-head against Florida Atlantic Owls at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton on September 14th at six o'clock PM Eastern Daylight Time. This upcoming contest promises to be another exciting chapter in their season and will be available live on ESPN+.