Missed extra point proves costly

Miami, Fla. – The Florida International Panthers (5-3, 2-2) would have to take the Troy Trojans (2-5, 1-3) into overtime before claiming the Trojans’ third straight Sun Belt conference loss on Tuesday night in Miami, Florida.

After a quick three and out on their first offensive drive the Trojan attack was back with a drive of 76 yards in six plays that included a 51 yard completion from Troy quarterback Corey Robinson to wide receiver Stanley Arukwe that set up a 14 yard DJ Taylor touchdown run giving Troy the early 7-0 lead.

Troy’s defense would continue to hold throughout the first quarter. However on FIU’s fourth offensive drive, the Panthers would drive down the field 61 yards in eight plays but after three false start penalties would have to settle for a 32 yard Jack Griffin field goal.

Troy’s offense would struggle again and would have to punt for the third time. After driving 54 yards the Panthers quarterback Wesley Carroll would be intercepted by freshman defensive back Dimitri Miles. With a 16 yard return on the interception, Troy would begin their next offensive drive on the opposing 38 yard line. The Trojan offense would drive the clock down to one second remaining in the first half before turning the ball over on downs. FIU’s offense would take a knee sending the game into half time with Troy leading FIU 7-3.

Troy would receive to start the second half and after a Chandler Worthy 23 yard kick return the Trojans would begin their first drive on their own 23 yard line. The Trojans would drive 43 yards down the field but would stall sending kicker Michael Taylor out for a 52 yard field goal that turned out to be a fake punt.

On the ensuing drive FIU’s quarterback Carroll would connect to receiver Wayne Times for a 76 yard touchdown pass giving the Panthers their first lead over Troy at 10-7.

On the following Panther drive Carroll would connect again to his receiver, this time it was Jacob Younger for a 43 yard touchdown pass. The touchdown would make the score 17-7 with the Panthers leading.

Troy’s quarterback Robinson would give up an interception on the next drive. However the Trojan defense stood tall forcing FIU to punt again. The Trojans would stick to their ground game on the next drive rushing on six consecutive plays capped off by a three yard touchdown rush closing the Panther lead to 17-13. Michael Taylor would miss the etra point – his second miss of the season.

Troy’s defense would answer with a big play on the ensuing Panther drive as Ethan Davis forced a fumble allowing Tony Davis to return it 30 yards for Troy’s second fumble return for a touchdown of the season. After Taylor’s extra point Troy would claim their second lead of the night at 20-17.

With 5:32 remaining in the game Troy punter Will Goggans would be forced to punt to FIU’s TY Hilton who would return the punt 33 yards to give the Panthers a start on Troy’s 21 yard line. The Panthers would drive down 18 yards in five plays to hit a 20 yard field goal, tying the game at 20-20 with three and a half minutes left in the game.

After a 24 yard Chandler Worthy return, Troy began their next drive on their own 34 yard line. However Troy would stall after three plays and would be forced to punt the ball back to FIU. Goggans punt would go for 60 yards causing the Panthers to start their drive on their own two yard line with less than two minutes remaining. The Panthers would run the clock down before punting with two seconds left allowing Troy to try one last “Hail-Mary” play. Robinsons pass would be intercepted sending the game into overtime.

In Troy’s first overtime since 2009, Troy would start first on offense but after stalling would attempt a 43 yard field which would swing wide right. On the ensuing Panther drive, FIU would drive 15 yards before attempting a 22 yard field goal. Griffin’s 22 yard field goal would split the uprights giving the Panthers the 23-20 overtime victory.

The Trojans will now have to wait until November 5 to bounce back when they travel to Annapolis, Maryland to take on Navy.