HOUSTON — FIU used a balanced offensive attack en route to a 56-16 victory over Sam Houston at Shell Energy Stadium in the season finale on Saturday.
The Bearkats (2-10, 1-7 CUSA) gave up a touchdown on the opening drive but wasted no time going to work on the other end. Running back Coco Brown picked up 27 yards rushing on two carries to get the ball around midfield, and quarterback
Landyn Locke hit wide receiver
Chris Reed for a 31-yard strike down to the FIU 1.
Two plays later, Brown punched it in to tie it at 7 four and a half minutes into the first quarter.
Sam Houston stopped the Panthers (7-5, 5-3) on the next possession but failed to convert on a fourth down attempt neat midfield. FIU used its passing game to score 14 unanswered points to close the opening quarter as the Panthers took control from there.
Christian Pavon added a 34-yard field goal at the beginning of the second quarter. A season-high four turnovers and a 0 for 8 start on third down conversions kept the Kats scoreless until Locke found
Grady O'Neill for an eight-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth to cut the lead to 42-16.
FIU threw for 291 yards and gained another 303 on the ground, including a 31-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring. The 56 points were the most the Bearkats gave up during the season.
