Central Michigan University
1-1 , 0-0
Florida International
1-1 , 0-0
Football Falls in Florida
9/7/2024 9:43:00 PM | Football
Gavin Harris and Chris Parker catch touchdown passes, Joe Labas throws two touchdowns, Elijah Rikard leads CMU defense with a career-high tying seven tackles; Chippewas to play at Illinois next Saturday at noon ET/11 a.m. CT.
It all spelled doom for Central Michigan as the Chippewas never got untracked in taking a 52-16 loss at Florida International on a hot and humid Saturday night at Pitbull FIU Stadium.
In a week, the Chippewas (1-1) went from nearly flawless in their 66-10 season-opening win over Central Connecticut State to floundering against the Panthers (1-1).
CMU goes to Illinois for a nonconference game on Saturday, Sept. 14 (noon ET).
The Chippewas committed six turnovers – quarterback Joe Labas was intercepted five times – and were flagged 10 times for 70 yards against the Panthers. Eight of those penalties (for 55 yards) came in the first half.
CMU had just six big plays – pass completions of at least 15 yards, runs of 10-plus yards – and just one of those came in the first half. In short, any substantial offense produced by the Chippewas came after the game was decided.
FIU built a 28-0 lead late in the second quarter before CMU showed signs of life when Labas tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Harris and then connected with Evan Boyd on the two-point conversion to make it 28-8 at halftime.
The Chippewas then forced FIU to punt on its first two possessions in the third quarter, giving themselves a fighting chance to claw back into the game. But CMU's first two drives of the second half ended on downs.
The second of those fourth-down failures gave FIU the ball at the Chippewa 28-yard line. Two plays later, Kejon Owens score on a 26-yard run to make it 36-8 and effectively put the game out of reach.
Labas, who a week ago threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, finished with 155 yards on 20-of-39 passing.
FIU's five interceptions fell one shy of the most by a CMU opponent (Eastern Michigan, 1929).
The Chippewa run game produced 179 yards and CMU finished with a 373-309 edge in total yardage.
Myles Bailey led CMU with 54 yards on eight carries. Marion Lukes, who did not play in the Chippewas' season opener, carried 10 times for 37 yards.
While the Chippewas won the statistical battle, the turnovers gave FIU a short field on offense. Four of FIU's touchdown drives started inside CMU territory.
Elijah Rikard led CMU's defense with seven tackles.
The 52 points scored by FIU was the highest point total for a CMU opponent since Oklahoma State defeated the Chippewas, 58-44, on Sept. 1, 2022.
Team Stats
CMU 0, FIU 7
FIU - Jenkins,Keyone 4 yd run (Gabriel,Chase kick), 4 plays, 33 yards, TOP 01:59
CMU 0, FIU 14
FIU - Rivers,Eric 36 yd pass from Jenkins,Keyone (Gabriel,Chase kick) 3 plays, 72 yards, TOP 01:21
CMU 0, FIU 21
FIU - Burris,Nazeviah 17 yd pass from Jenkins,Keyone (Gabriel,Chase kick) 6 plays, 43 yards, TOP 03:23
CMU 0, FIU 28
FIU - Blades II,Brian 21 yd interception (Gabriel,Chase kick)
CMU 8, FIU 28
CMU - Harris,Gavin 12 yd pass from Labas,Joe (Boyd,Evan pass) 9 plays, 58 yards, TOP 01:35
CMU 8, FIU 36
FIU - Owens,Kejon 26 yd run (Patterson,Dean pass), 2 plays, 36 yards, TOP 00:30
CMU 16, FIU 36
CMU - Parker,Chris 44 yd pass from Labas,Joe (Harris,Gavin pass) 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:22
CMU 16, FIU 42
FIU - Joseph,Lexington 35 yd run (), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:00
CMU 16, FIU 45
FIU - Gabriel,Chase 42 yd field goal 6 plays, 21 yards, TOP 03:35
CMU 16, FIU 52
FIU - Maurice Jr.,Luby 15 yd run (Gabriel,Chase kick), 2 plays, 9 yards, TOP 00:52
