James Morgan

Morgan leads FIU to 36-17 win over Rice

Published Oct. 20, 2018 10:53 p.m. ET

MIAMI (AP) — James Morgan passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns, Maurice Alexander raced 51 yards for a score and Jose Borregales kicked three field goals as Florida International breezed to a 36-17 victory over Rice in Conference USA action on Saturday night.

Evan Marshman's 7-yard TD run gave Rice a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Panthers (5-2, 3-0) took control in the second quarter. Borregales' 32-yard field goal put FIU on the scoreboard, Alexander followed with his long TD run on the Panthers' next possession and Morgan found Austin Maloney for a 33-yard scoring strike. Borregales missed the extra point and FIU led 16-7.

Haden Tobola kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to pull the Owls (1-7, 0-4) within 16-10.

FIU's first drive of the third quarter ended with Borregales' 38-yard field goal and Morgan connected with Shemar Thornton for a 29-yard score and a 26-10 lead. Marshman's 22-yard TD run capped the scoring for Rice and left them trailing 26-17 after three quarters.

The Panthers put the game out of reach on Morgan's 4-yard TD run and Borregales' 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

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