FIU defeats Louisiana Tech 17-10 in Conference USA opener
- FIU took an early lead with a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown, leading 14-0.
- Louisiana Tech responded with a touchdown and a field goal, narrowing the score to 17-10.
- The victory marked FIU's first conference win, improving their record to 2-3 overall.
On Saturday night, Florida International University (FIU) secured a 17-10 victory over Louisiana Tech in their Conference USA opener. The game began with FIU taking an early lead, thanks to Keyone Jenkins' 10-yard touchdown pass to Eric Rivers in the first quarter, followed by a 6-yard rushing touchdown from Lexington Joseph in the third quarter. A pivotal moment occurred when FIU's defense successfully stopped Louisiana Tech on four consecutive rushing attempts from the 1-yard line, overturning a potential touchdown after a review. Louisiana Tech managed to narrow the gap with a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Jimmy Holiday and a 34-yard field goal by Buck Buchanan later in the third quarter. However, FIU responded with a 25-yard field goal from Alejandro Prado, extending their lead to a touchdown. The Bulldogs attempted a comeback, starting their final drive at their own 42-yard line with 2:45 remaining, but ultimately failed to convert on downs at the Panthers' 36-yard line. Key performances included Jenkins throwing for 208 yards, Rivers contributing 97 yards receiving, and Joseph rushing for 73 yards. For Louisiana Tech, Evan Bullock threw for 218 yards, while Marlion Jackson had 81 yards receiving. This victory improved FIU's record to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while Louisiana Tech fell to 1-3 and 0-1 in Conference USA play. The game showcased FIU's strong defensive efforts and timely scoring, setting a positive tone for their conference season ahead.