Facing a 16-point deficit with just over two minutes left in the first half, a youthful and inexperienced FIU team could have fallen into a black hole that their more veteran counterparts in the two seasons prior managed to find time and time again.
However, Mike MacIntyre’s team managed to claw their way back to tie the game at 30 in regulation — followed by a thrilling touchdown and two-point conversion in the extra period to defeat FCS Bryant 38-37. While there are still plenty of questions to be addressed in the extended layoff between now and next Saturday’s road contest at Texas State, there were several storylines that emerged from week one.