A college football game with 77 points and more than 1,000 yards’ total offense actually turned on a pair of defensive plays Saturday.
FIU kept its Conference USA East Division title hopes alive by holding off Charlotte 42-35 on a sunny afternoon, and the Panthers had plenty of stellar offensive moments.
But late in the first quarter, with Charlotte winning 7-3 and driving into FIU territory, the Panthers forced a fumble from 49er running back Ishod Finger. Linebacker Sage Lewis scooped up the ball and raced — as quickly as a 240-pounder can race — 61 yards for a touchdown.