MIAMI, FL. – FIU junior wide receiver Bryce Singleton totaled the third-highest single-game receiving yard total in program history with six receptions for 199 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 47-24 loss vs. Old Dominion on Saturday night at FIU Stadium.
Singleton’s 199 yards tied T.Y. Hilton’s effort of 199 yards during the 2008 campaign vs. Arkansas State.
In addition, FIU senior signal caller Max Bortenschlager completed 18-of-32 pass attempts for 315 yards and a pair of scoring tosses. His 315 passing yards increased his season total to 2,469 and pushed him past Josh Padrick (2,461/2005) into seventh place among FIU single season passing yardage leaders.
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Old Dominion finished the contest with 565 yards of total offense – including 282 on the ground. The Panthers tallied 435 yards of offense with 328 coming through the air.
The game got off to a quick stat offensively with the two teams combining for 34 points and a total of 359 yards in the opening quarter – which saw Old Dominion open an early 24-10 edge in the initial 15 minutes.
Old Dominion got on the scoreboard first just over five minutes into the contest on a 20-yard scoring toss from Hayden Wolff to Zack Kuntz to give the Monarchs an early 7-0 advantage.
The Monarchs capitalized on a fumble by the Panthers deep in their own territory on the following drive. Old Dominion secured the ball on the FIU 31 and extended the lead to 10-0 four plays later on a 50-yard field goal by Nick Rice at 10:19 of the opening quarter.
FIU got on the board when Bortenschlager connected with Tyrese Chambers from 46 yards out at the 8:22 mark of the first to trim the deficit to 10-7. The scoring catch marked the seventh of the season for Chambers. He also has recorded a catch of at least 35 yards in seven of nine games this season.
Elijah Davis answered with a 61-yard touchdown on the next possession for ODU – increasing the margin to 17-7 with 6:56 to go in the first.
FIU followed with a big play of its own as Bortenschlager found a streaking Singleton on a crossing route that the junior raced down to the ODU three-yard line. The Panthers would have to settle for a 21-yard field goal by freshman Chase Gabriel with 3:33 left in the opening quarter, making the score 17-10.
ODU added another touchdown with 27 ticks left in the opening quarter on a three-yard run by Blake Watson. The score capped a drive that was aided by a 24-yard kickoff return and a 15-yard facemask penalty against FIU.
The two teams played to a scoreless second quarter with the best opportunity for points coming on a missed 25-yard field goal attempt by ODU’s Rice as time expired in the first half.
The only other scoring chance for either team in the second stanza was snuffed out by the FIU defense as it forced a fumble inside its own five-yard line – which was recovered by freshman Jeremy Passmore and halted an Old Dominion drive that started at its own five-yard line.
After the teams traded punts to open the second half, Wolff tossed his second touchdown pass of the night with a 63-yard hookup with Darius Savedge to cap an eight-play, 93-yard march at the 9:37 mark of the third quarter, increasing the advantage to 30-10. Rice missed the ensuing extra point with a clank off the left upright.
Singleton continued his big night for the Panthers four plays and just over a minute later, with a 65-yard reception from Bortenschalger, that went for a touchdown and closed the gap to 30-17 midway through the third quarter.
Deeve Harris extended the lead for the Monarchs back to 20 points at 37-17 with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown with 14:46 left in regulation.
Old Dominion added a 31-yard field goal by Price and a seven-yard rushing touchdown by Blake Watson to close out its fourth quarter scoring.
Singleton snagged his second touchdown reception with 5:59 left in regulation on a 13-yard pass from Bortenschlager.
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FIU Panthers Athletics contributed to this game recap
