ORLANDO — Imarjaye Albury blocked a 47-yard field goal by UCF freshman Matthew Wright in the closing seconds, and Florida International held on to upset the Knights 15-14 Thursday night in the opener for both teams.
FIU trailed 14-3 at the half but shut out UCF in the second half to snap a string of three straight season-opening losses.
Golden Panthers sophomore Alex McGough was steady, completing 29 of 38 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. Alex Gardner rushed for 75 yards and a score.
FIU, which ranked No. 120 out of 125 teams nationally in total offense last season, showed dramatic improvement by outgaining UCF 391-295. The Knights defense struggled to get critical stops on third down.
UCF had a chance to take the lead in the final minute, driving inside the FIU 30 before a false-start penalty pushed Wright's kick back 5 yards.
"I feel like we underestimated our opponent," UCF linebacker Shaquill Griffin said. "I feel like we let ourselves play down and we can't have those problems."
The loss ends a 10-game home win streak for the Knights, which was the second-longest in school history. It was the first loss in Bright House Networks Stadium since UCF dropped a 28-25 contest to South Carolina in 2013 and the first home season-opening loss since 2007.
"I don't know if I have ever been more happy for a team in all my life, and I've been coaching a lot of years,'' FIU coach Ron Turner said.
Leading 14-9 in the third quarter, UCF turned it over on downs at the FIU 2 when Justin Holman bobbled the snap from center Joey Grant.
The Panthers went to the air, and McGough connected on back-to-back passes of 47 and 23 yards to Ya'keem Griner to get FIU inside the red zone.
Griner then capped the 80-yard drive by catching a deflection in the end zone to put the Panthers in front 15-14 with just under 13 minutes to play after a failed conversion run.
UCF went three-and-out to open the game, setting up a long FIU drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal by Austin Taylor.
The Panthers forced another punt on UCF's next possession but gave it back two plays later when Gardner was stripped from behind by linebacker Chequan Burkett. The ball was recovered near the sideline by safety Drico Johnson inside the Panthers 30.
UCF took advantage, and Holman connected with receiver Jordan Akins in the corner of the end zone five plays later from 9 yards out to put the Knights in front 7-3 late in the first quarter.
After an FIU punt, Holman and Akins hooked up again for a 33-yard score.
Associated Press
Florida International running back Alex Gardner looks for room during a short gain against UCF. Gardner gained 75 yards and had a touchdown.