Florida International blocks late FG try to edge UCF 15-14
Imarjaye Albury blocked a 47-yard field goal attempt by Central Florida freshman Matthew Wright in the closing seconds, and Florida International held on to beat the Knights 15-14 on Thursday night.
FIU trailed 14-3 at the half, but shut out UCF in the second half to snap a string of three straight season-opening losses.
Golden Panthers sophomore Alex McGough was steady, completing 29 of 38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. Alex Gardner rushed for 75 yards and a score.
UCF had a chance to take the lead in the final minute, driving inside the FIU 30 before a false-start penalty pushed Wright's kick back 5 yards.
The loss ends a 10-game home win streak for the Knights, which was the second-longest in school history.
Leading 14-9 in the third quarter, UCF turned it over on downs at the FIU 2 when Justin Holman bobbled the snap from center Joey Grant.
The Panthers went to the air, and McGough connected on back-to-back passes of 47 and 23 yards to Ya'keem Griner to get FIU inside the red zone.
Griner then capped the 80-yard drive by catching a deflection in the end zone to put the Panthers in front 15-14 with just under 13 minutes to play following a failed conversion run.
UCF went three-and-out to open the game, setting up a long FIU drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal by Austin Taylor.
The Panthers forced another punt on UCF's next possession, but gave it back two plays later when Gardner was stripped from behind by linebacker Chequan Burkett. The ball was recovered near the sideline by Knights safety Drico Johnson inside the Panthers 30.
UCF took advantage, and Holman connected with sophomore receiver Jordan Akins in the corner of the end zone five plays later from 9 yards out to put the Knights in front 7-3 late in the first quarter.
Following an FIU punt, Holman and Akins hooked up again for a 33-yard score to cap a seven-play, 70-yard drive.
Holman had one of his more productive games, completing 23 of 34 passes for 249 yards and the two touchdowns. But he also was constantly under pressure late in the game and was sacked twice.
UCF rushed 30 times for just 46 yards.
