Butch Davis’ team entered Saturday’s contest as two-score underdogs, having not won a road game in 1,042 days. Through three quarters, the Panthers were well on their way to ending the streak that dates back to November of 2018.
After FIU (1-3, 0-0) took a 27-10 lead into the fourth quarter, Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain turned to former starting quarterback Daniel Richardson, who responded by going 16-of-23 passing for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the second half, including a game-winning five-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Richardson finding receiver Dallas Dixon for the go-ahead 27-yard touchdown reception that gave Central Michigan (2-2, 0-0) its first lead since midway through the opening quarter.