Florida International Panthers Narrowly Miss Victory in High-Scoring Duel with Monmouth Hawks
In a closely contested match at Pitbull Stadium, the Florida International Panthers and the Monmouth Hawks delivered an offensive showcase that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Panthers, now standing at 1-3 for the season, were narrowly defeated by the Hawks with a final score of 42-45. The Hawks improved their record to 2-2.
Game Highlights
The game was a testament to both teams' offensive capabilities, as they combined for a total of 87 points. The Florida International Panthers showcased their dynamic offense, amassing a total of 475 yards. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins had an outstanding performance, throwing for 362 yards with a completion rate of 72 percent and contributing two touchdowns without any interceptions. His efforts were complemented by running back Kejon Owens who rushed for 57 yards on 11 attempts, finding the end zone twice.
On special teams, Alejandro Prado was perfect on extra points, making all six attempts which contributed crucial points for the Panthers. On defense, Eddie Walls III stood out by recording one sack and forcing a fumble that underscored his impactful presence on the field.
The Monmouth Hawks responded fiercely with their own offensive prowess. Their balanced attack kept the Panther's defense guessing throughout the game. Despite these efforts from Florida International's defense and special teams to swing momentum in favor of the home team, it was not enough to secure victory.
Key Moments
One pivotal moment came from linebacker Travion Barnes who returned an interception for an impressive 85-yard touchdown - highlighting his defensive skills and giving fans something to cheer about amidst tense competition.
Penalties played a significant role in this high-stakes game; Florida International accumulated twelve penalties totaling over one hundred yards which hindered several promising drives and ultimately impacted their ability to maintain control over game flow.
Despite falling short in this contest against Monmouth Hawks at Pitbull Stadium before an attendance of nearly eighteen thousand fans - showing strong community support - there were many positive takeaways for Florida International including resilience shown by players across both offense and defense as well as special teams' contributions under pressure situations.
Looking ahead, Florida International Panthers will host Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Pitbull Stadium in Miami on September 28th at 6:00 PM EDT. Fans eager to support their team can catch all action live on ESPN+. This upcoming matchup presents another opportunity for Panthers to demonstrate growth from previous games’ experiences towards securing wins as they progress through this season.