SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 8, 2012
Florida International 41, Akron 38 (OT): Jack Griffin kicked a 29-yard field goal in overtime after Akron freshman Robert Stein missed a 45-yarder on the previous series, and the Golden Panthers sent the Zips to their 21st straight road loss.
The Panthers (1-1) had forced overtime on Griffin's 30-yard field goal as time expired in regulation. Prior to that, Dalton Williams threw his fifth TD pass of the game - a 15-yarder to Marquelo Suel, which gave Akron a 38-35 lead with 1:53 left.
Williams completed 27 of 54 passes for 313 yards but it was not enough as the Zips dropped to 0-2 under new coach Terry Bowden. Akron hasn't won a road game in nearly four years.
The Panthers took a 35-31 lead on Darian Mallary's 32-yard TD run with 6:54 remaining.
FIU erased a 20-7 deficit midway through the second quarter with three straight scores, grabbing a 28-20 lead on Richard Leonard's 49-yard punt return for a touchdown with 14:08 left in the fourth quarter.
Jake Medlock completed 19 of 30 passes for 209 yards and also ran for 141 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries for Florida International.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bowden returned to the FBS this season after coaching at Division II North Alabama for the past three years. The son of former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, he also coached at Auburn from 1993-98 ... Akron hasn't won a road game since a 42-35 triumph at Eastern Michigan on Oct. 18, 2008. ... FIU honored members of its inaugural 1992 team during a ceremony at halftime