FIU falls at New Mexico State, but concern grows after late injury to QB Jenkins

A loss became something more than that with 53 seconds left.

Host New Mexico State defeated FIU, 34-17, on Wednesday night in Las Cruces, and that was bad enough for Panthers fans.

But the biggest concern for FIU (3-3 overall, 0-3 Conference USA) was the injury that forced prized freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins out of the game with less than one minute remaining.

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre did not address the injury in his brief post-game remarks.

“I thought we played hard,” MacIntyre said. “But New Mexico State made more plays than we did.”

The game ended with MacIntyre as angry as you have ever seen him, yelling at the referees in the final minute, and Panthers and Aggies players nearly getting into a fight.

Here are four takeaways from the game:

1. CONCERN FOR KEYONE

On the play in question, Jenkins scrambled for a short gain and went into his slide when he was hit by Aggies safety Torren Union, who according to CBS broadcasters is the nephew of actress Gabrielle Union, the wife of former Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Jenkins stayed on the turf for a couple of minutes before leaving the game alongside FIU trainers. Presumably, Jenkins will enter the concussion protocol.

Notably, Jenkins was replaced by Haden Carlson rather than by Grayson James, who began the season as FIU’s starter.

FIU’s next game is Wednesday at home against Texas-El Paso, and it’s not yet known if the start will go to Jenkins, Carlson or James.

2. PAVIA STEALS SPOTLIGHT

Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia outplayed Jenkins in the game’s key matchup.

Jenkins was outstanding overall, completing 25-of-32 passes for a game-high 258 yards. However, he was intercepted twice. He also fumbled twice, although FIU recovered both of them.

Pavia completed 20-of-31 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Both QBs scored a touchdown.

Jenkins’ score came on a dazzling six-yard run in which he faked out two defenders simultaneously.

But Pavia’s score was bigger – both in yardage (43) and in significance (snapping a 17-17 tie for the game-winning score).

Pavia played with a lot of swagger, and that was personified by one of his scrambles down the right sideline. In an audacious move, he tried to jump over FIU linebacker Reggie Peterson, who flipped Pavia. From there, Pavia took a second hard hit, this one by Hezekiah Masses, who drilled him in the back.

However, Pavia didn’t miss a play.

3. BLAME THE RED ZONE

The Panthers got zero points out of two key trips inside the Aggies’ 12-yard line. Had they scored two touchdowns, this could’ve been an FIU victory.

With the scored tied 7-7 in the first half, Kejon Owens ran around right end, seemingly getting a first down. But he didn’t extend the football, and he was pushed out of bounds, creating a fourth-and-one. FIU went for it from the 11, but Jenkins was stopped for no gain.

In the fourth quarter, trailing 31-17, Jenkins was mounting a comeback by passing 3-for-3 for 70 yards. But, with a first-and-goal from the five, Jenkins threw into the end zone. However, an Aggies linebacker dropped back, got his hand on the ball, and the high deflection turned into a crushing interception.

4. OTHER ISSUES

The Panthers have struggled in the fourth quarter this year, getting outscored 52-8.

Jenkins was sacked six times, and Carlson was sacked once in his brief action. FIU ran for just 87 yards and 3.0 per carry in what, overall, was not a great game for the Panthers’ offensive line.

On Pavia’s go-ahead rushing touchdown, Peterson went for a fake on a run to his right. Once Peterson moved a couple of steps to his right, he got blocked and was out of position as Pavia ran right up the middle.

Similarly, on the Aggies’ first touchdown, Peterson and middle linebacker Donovan Mitchell went for a run fake and moved up into the hole. That left the middle of the field open, and Pavia picked on Masses for an 11-yard slant pass to Chris Bellamy, who scored easily.

The Aggies made it 14-7 on a 49-yard TD pass to Jordin Parker. FIU slot cornerback Jamal Potts had no deep help, and Parker was not bumped at the line of scrimmage. The result was a rather easy TD pass over the top of Potts.

Another big play happened when FIU linebacker Avery Huff ripped the ball away from an Aggies running back. However, the refs ruled that forward progress had been stopped, and New Mexico State kept the ball.