It was a rude welcome to the NDL for new FIU Coach Ric. While new to the NDL, Coach Reign and Ric go back a few years away from CFB. Looking to find his footing here in the NDL, the new FIU Coach was sorting out a creative offense that managed to perform pretty well against a stout ND defense today. However, it was the crucial mistakes on offense that ND was able to take advantage of to repeatedly set up a short field to work with and a special teams that turned out to be extra special to start the season.
After FIU went up 3-0 on a Chase Gabriel FG, HB Jadarian Price took a punt 84yds to give the Irish a 7-3 lead. It was all Nd from that point, as J. Love followed with a TD run from 19 yards, then the defense got in on the action with CB Ben Morrison housing a 24 yd INT. The defense was done, as LB Jack Kiser picked up a fumble and returned it 19 yds to given ND a 28-3 1st quarter lead.
FIU showed a sign of life to start the 2nd quarter, as WR Nazeviah Burris got free for a nifty 34 yd catch and run, but ND QB Riley Leonard immediately answered, finding WR Jordan Faison for a matching 36yd TD. On the next possession, Jack Kiser was back at it again, picking off FIU QB Keyone Jenkins and taking it back 36yds for a score. Jenkins made up for it on the next possession, giving the Panthers their 2nd TD on the day when he connected with WR Ross Fournet before the half. But Jadarian Price slammed the door to start the 3rd quarter, this time taking the opening kickoff 104yds for a TD. "Money" Mitch Jeter added a FG at the start of the 4th to extend the lead to 35 and give the Irish a 51-17 opening weekend victory!
Coach Reign: "Good game Coach Ric, welcome to the NDL. Look forward to seeing you move up the coach ranks here and a become a long-term coach with the league! Good luck the rest of the season!"
HOME
Discord