Fiu Saves Best For Last

[GreenBat]

FIU saves its best for last

The Golden Panthers stopped their 23-game losing streak -- the longest in the nation -- by winning the final college football game at the Orange Bowl.

Posted on Sun, Dec. 02, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email

BY PETE PELEGRIN

ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com

AL DIAZ / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Now that is how you close out college football at the Orange Bowl.

Playing in the historic stadium's final college football game, Florida International used a precise passing game, a stifling defense and a surge of emotion to beat North Texas 38-19 and end the nation's longest losing streak at 23 games.

''It was the last game and you got to let it hang loose,'' said senior defensive end Audric Adger, who tied a school record with four sacks. ``It was awesome to win the last game here. It's something other teams couldn't do so we're proud to close this building the right way.''

With 1:21 left and FIU ahead 38-19, coach Mario Cristobal got doused by his players with a Gatorade shower. As the final seconds ticked off, the FIU coach and his team began jumping around on the sideline, and eventually carried the celebration to the 50-yard line of the hallowed field.

''We came here to build something special,'' Cristobal said. ``And this is the beginning of it. This is what we expect at FIU, a lot of victories. It's a great way to close out a special place.''

The game did not have a special start for FIU. On the opening possession, the ball was snapped over punter Chris Cook's head. North Texas took over at the FIU 1 and scored on the next play as Jamario Thomas walked into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Mean Green missed the extra-point attempt and led 6-0.

But behind sophomore quarterback Paul McCall, who was making his first start after starter Wayne Younger broke his collarbone last week, the Golden Panthers' offense carved up the North Texas defense throughout the game.

Led by Adger and the defensive line's constant pressure, the Golden Panthers controlled the potent Mean Green offense, which was averaging 36 points in its past four games before Saturday's game.

McCall had the most passing yards (228) for any FIU quarterback making his debut, and was the first Golden Panthers quarterback to win his first start since Jamie Burke in FIU's inaugural game against St. Peter's in 2002. McCall threw three touchdown passes -- the most for FIU since Josh Padrick in 2005.

''It's an absolutely amazing feeling for everyone in that [locker] room,'' McCall said. ``Those guys in there put their hearts and souls in this program. We're not 1-11. We're on a one-game winning streak.''

After Lionell Singleton gave FIU a 14-12 lead with an 84-yard touchdown kickoff return, McCall went to work adding to the scoreboard.

On the second play of FIU's next possession, McCall found fullback Trenard Turner for a 58-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-12 going into halftime.

In the third quarter, McCall needed just two plays to get FIU another touchdown. He connected with freshman Marquis Rolle for a 31-yard touchdown pass. FIU led 28-12.

A 7-yard touchdown pass from Giovanni Vizza to Brock Stickler pulled North Texas within 28-19.

But the Golden Panthers quickly answered when they got the ball back.

From the FIU 49, McCall and Turner hooked up again for a 26-yard pass play. Two plays later, McCall hit Jeremy Dickens for a 23-yard touchdown and a comfortable 35-19 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

After the game, McCall was carried off the field by some teammates as the Golden Panthers waved towels, and the FIU fans moved to the first few rows and joined in celebrating the program's first win since December 2005 against Middle Tennessee.

Southern Methodist, Idaho and Minnesota now share the nation's longest losing streak at 10 games.

[TheTastyGreek]

FIU saves its best for last

The Golden Panthers stopped their 23-game losing streak -- the longest in the nation -- by winning the final college football game at the Orange Bowl.

Posted on Sun, Dec. 02, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email

BY PETE PELEGRIN

ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com

Southern Methodist, Idaho and Minnesota now share the nation's longest losing streak at 10 games.

There's the only bright side to this loss. It's looking very hard for a silver lining... But at least us losing to FIU means that SMU is on the longest losing streak in the country.

[I Miss Booger Kennedy]

There's the only bright side to this loss. It's looking very hard for a silver lining... But at least us losing to FIU means that SMU is on the longest losing streak in the country.

...But the losing streak started after beating us by double digits. I don't feel any better about that.