Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Antonio Andrews rushed for 158 yards and scored
the game-sealing touchdown to propel the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to a 14-6
triumph over the FIU Panthers in a low-scoring Sun Belt Conference bout at FIU
Stadium.
Kawaun Jakes completed 14-of-21 passes for 128 yards and an interception for
WKU (6-2, 3-1 Sun Belt), which bounced back from an last week's overtime loss
to ULM to become bowl eligible for the second straight season. Jack Doyle made
four receptions for 63 yards and Quanterus Smith paced the defense with eight
tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, and a forced fumble.
Jake Medlock went 15-of-30 for 187 yards and an interception for FIU (1-8,
0-5), which lost its seventh consecutive game. Willis Wright made five
receptions for 128 yards while the Panthers were held to 86 rushing yards,
their second lowest total of the season.
FIU struck first as Jack Griffin chipped in a 29-yard field goal with just
under four minutes left in the first period. WKU answered with 1:10 left in the
first quarter with a a one-yard touchdown run by Kadeem Jones, which concluded
a five-play, 53-yard drive.
Neither team managed to score again until Griffin netted a 39-yard field goal
to make it 7-6 with 8:20 remaining in regulation. After an FIU turnover
returned the ball to the Hilltoppers deep in the Panthers' territory, Andrews
scored from three-yards out to make it 14-6.
The Panthers made one last effort and Medlock did a great job leading them down
the field quickly. However, with FIU on WKU's 21-yard line with eight seconds
remaining, E.J. Hilliard was subbed in for Medlock. Hilliard was sacked by
Smith and fumbled which ended the Panthers' attempt to force overtime.
Despite the loss, FIU gained 342 yards of total offense and limited WKU to 289.
GAME NOTES:
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