Delaware used a 21-point second quarter and a dynamic offense to defeat FIU 38-16 on Saturday night in South Dade Kia’ Field at Pitbull Stadium. It was the Conference USA opener for both programs.
The Blue Hens, who made the jump to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision this season, improved to 3-1 overall. The Panthers dropped to 2-2. There will be plenty of room for improvement as conference play rolls on.
A SECOND-QUARTER SURGE
FIU led 7-3 after quarterback Keyone Jenkins punched in a 2-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.
But Delaware dominated the second frame and from there on. Running back Jo Silver powered in a 14-yard score, Junior quarterback Nick Minicucci hit Nick Laboy for a 2-yard touchdown, and Kyre Duplessis broke free for a 68-yard punt return that silenced the home crowd.
The 21 unanswered points gave Delaware a 24-7 halftime lead. By then, the Blue Hens had converted nearly every third down (11-of-16, all told, on the night). The Panthers, meanwhile, were undone by turnovers and penalties, including a costly holding call that extended one Delaware drive.
THE MINICUCCI OFFENSE
The week before, the Panthers shut down FAU’s potent offense, but this past weekend they struggled to contain the Blue Hens most of the night.
Minicucci was the focal point, and he came to South Florid to play. He finished 23 of 35 for 218 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to seven different receivers.
Sean Wilson led the Blue Hens with seven catches for 78 yards, while Nick Laboy’s two touchdowns highlighted Delaware’s offense efficiency.
Silver added 66 rushing yards on 13 carries and Delaware closed with 358 total yards, nearly even with FIU’s 363, but made its possessions count.
FIU’S FLASHES WEREN’T ENOUGH
The Panthers showed flashes for the home crowd, but the mistakes piled up in the end. Jenkins went 22 of 34 for 203 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran for 52 yards, but Delaware’s secondary made him pay for risky throws.
Running back Kejon Owens led FIU with 74 rushing yards, while Alex Perry added five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Still, the Panthers struggled on third down (5 of 17) and seven penalties for 68 yards further shrunk their progress.
One bright spot was FIU’s opening drive of the second half, capped by a 35-yard Robert Czeremcha field goal. But after Jenkins found Perry for a touchdown early in the fourth to cut the deficit to 31–16, Delaware immediately answered with a nine yard touchdown pass to running back Viron Ellison Jr.’s to seal the victory.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Panthers have some time to bounce back. After a bye week, they will travel out of conference to take on UConn in East Hartford, Connecticut on Oct. 4 at 3:30 p.m.
Delaware, meanwhile, also has the weekend off, as the Blue Hens return home to face Western Kentucky on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Both games will be aired nationally on CBS Sports Network.
