‘That was embarrassing’: Five takeaways from FIU’s loss to FAU in the Shula Bowl
There were no jokes.
No smiles.
Zero attempts at sugar-coating.
FIU coach Mike MacIntyre – who is almost always happy and positive -- strode to the post-game podium late Saturday night and gave a blunt assessment of his squad’s performance in the Panthers’ 52-7 loss to the FAU Owls in the annual Shula Bowl.
“That was embarrassing,” MacIntyre said. “That wasn’t good at all.”
The Owls scored touchdowns on their first three drives and led 21-0 after a first quarter in which FIU got no first downs and just nine total yards.
“We had a good week of practices,” MacIntyre said. “I’m surprised we started so poorly.”
Here are your five takeaways:
1. GOAL IN SIGHT
As bad as it was for FIU on Saturday, the Panthers (4-6 overall, 2-4 Conference USA) still have a path to bowl eligibility.
The Panthers would have to win at Texas-El Paso (4-6, 2-4) on Saturday and then prevail at home against Middle Tennessee State (5-5, 2-4) the following week.
UTEP has lost two straight games, but the Miners played FAU tough, losing 24-21. Middle Tennessee beat Miami this year.
MacIntyre was asked about the mood of his players as they embark on their final games.
“I’m sure they’re very down,” he said. “But players are resilient. We will push them, love them and move on to finding a way to beat UTEP.”
2. FIU HAS AN FAU PROBLEM
The Panthers have lost six straight games against FAU. The Owls have outscored FIU 284-82 during that span.
The last time FIU beat FAU in the annual Shula Bowl, Alex McGough was the quarterback and Ron Cooper was the coach, albeit on an interim basis after the dismissal of Ron Turner.
That 33-31 Panthers victory over the Owls in 2016 was sweet for FIU fans, who saw their team rush for 270 yards in that game.
Since then, the Panthers have cycled through key characters such as coach Butch Davis and quarterbacks James Morgan, Max Bortenschlager, Stone Norton and Kaylan Wiggins, among others.
So, what will it take to beat FAU?
“We have to play a whole lot better,” MacIntyre said. “(FAU) completely destroyed us.”
With FAU leaving Conference USA following this season, the series will take a break in 2023. However, a four-year contract has been signed to resume the rivalry on a yearly basis from 2024 to 2027.
3. TALENT OVERHAUL?
MacIntyre, hired by FIU in December, brought in 48 new players in a short time.
Given some of the lopsided losses this year –including 73-0 to Western Kentucky, 52-14 to North Texas and 41-12 to Texas State – expect another large influx of talent.
“We were bull-rushed by FAU,” MacIntyre said. “They beat us every which way you could.
“We’re just not very good. They played better than us, and so did North Texas (the previous week).”
4. MORE THAN JUST QB
Grayson James missed his first eight passes for FIU. He finished the game completing 9-of-26 passes for 56 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 47 yards and one touchdown.
“We weren’t very good on offense,” MacIntyre said when asked if he should’ve turned sooner in the game to backup QB Haden Carlson, who threw just two passes, completing both.
“But we weren’t very good on defense, either. It wasn’t pretty.”
5. FLEXING HIS MUSCLES
Lexington “Flex” Joseph has had several big games this season, even in defeat, and Saturday was another example.
He rushed 11 times for 87 yards (7.9 average). Adding his two catches, Joseph had 99 yards from scrimmage.
“I really love Flex,” MacIntyre said. “He’s tough. He’s a team captain. He’s a hard runner. He’s a competitor.
“On some runs, he made five guys miss just to gain five yards. If we could get him on one-on-one on a linebacker or defensive back more often, he could run for 157 instead of 87.”
