FIU Loses First Game, Falls To Louisiana 36-31
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - If you're a Miami football fan, the FIU Golden Panthers were a ray of hope. With the Dolphins and the 'Canes consistently losing, at least you could count on FIU to win one. That is, until Saturday, when FIU fell to Louisiana-Lafayette at home.
Blaine Gautier threw three touchdown passes to help Louisiana-Lafayette upset FIU 36-31 on Saturday night.
Jake Medlock threw an interception to Lionel Stokes on the final play of the game as the Panthers (3-1, 1-1 Sun Belt) attempted to come back. Medlock had replaced starter Wesley Carroll, who hurt his ankle in the first quarter.
Gautier's 307 yards of total offense came on 14 of 26 passing for 221 yards and 86 yards rushing on 15 carries. His passing kept the lead safe for the Ragin' Cajuns (3-1, 1-1), after they took an 8-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Gautier hit Javone Lawson for a 46-yard touchdown for a 36-24 lead with 12:40 left in the game. He found Darryl Surgent for a 22-yard score, and hit Ladarius Green for a 41-yard touchdown on 4th-and-1, giving the Ragin' Cajuns a 15-7 lead with :50 before halftime.
