MIAMI (AP) — Florida International’s Isame Faciane returned a fumble by Central Florida quarterback Jeff Godfrey 51-yards for a score and Darriet Perry added a touchdown run as the Panthers overcame an injury to star receiver T.Y. Hilton to outlast Central Florida 17-10 Saturday night.
The win moved the Panthers to 3-0 for the first time in school history and ended the Knights’ best start since 1988. UCF coach George O’Leary was also denied his 100th career coaching win.
FIU earned the victory after Hilton went down with an apparent right hamstring injury late in the first half. The receiver returned in the third quarter and lasted only two plays, sitting out the rest of the contest.
But the Panthers defense picked up the slack, sacking Godfrey six times.
FIU returns to Sun Belt Conference play next week against Louisiana. UCF stays on the road with a Friday visit to BYU.
