Last year’s Bahamas Bowl victory against Toledo was supposed to be the momentum boost into the 2019 season that would atone for their losses against premier competition.
Thursday night’s 42-14 loss against Tulane wiped away any goodwill that the Panthers may have earned with the bowl win.
“We played poorly in all three phases of the game tonight and that starts with me, we didn’t perform in every facet of the game,” said FIU head coach Butch Davis.
Both teams looked sloppy early on, with penalties thwarting a promising opening drive for the Green Wave.
However, Tulane quarterback Justin McMillan quickly settled in, going 6-6 in the first quarter, including an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyrick James to open the scoring.