Czeremcha’s five field goals help FIU hold New Mexico State to 22–3

Robert Czeremcha made five field goals, including a 52-yarder, and FIU held New Mexico State without a touchdown in a 22–3 win Wednesday at Pitbull Stadium. The Panthers opened Conference USA play with a victory built on kicking and a defense that took the ball away three times.

FIU improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference. New Mexico State fell to 2-4 and 1-1. Anthony Carrie's one-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter supplied the night's only touchdown; Czeremcha provided the rest of the Panthers' scoring with five successful attempts and an extra point.

Kyah Francone's 26-yard field goal brought the Aggies within 7–3 in the second quarter. Czeremcha answered from 40 yards before halftime, then connected from 52 and 33 in the third quarter. His 21-yard kick early in the fourth pushed FIU's lead to 16 points. He added a 48-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining to complete the scoring. The Panthers' official post records the last kick and Czeremcha's five-for-five night.

The longest kick came after a sack disrupted a promising FIU possession. JJ Kohl lost 16 yards and fumbled, but Carrie recovered the ball to preserve the opportunity. Czeremcha then converted from 52 yards rather than allowing that setback to end the drive without points.

FIU's defense kept creating chances. Wesley Miller intercepted Adam Damante in the first quarter. DeeJay Holmes Jr. later sacked Trey Hedden and forced a fumble that Germaine Carter recovered at the Aggies' seven-yard line. FIU turned the short field into Czeremcha's fourth field goal.

Demetrius Hill intercepted Hedden in the fourth quarter, ending another New Mexico State possession. FIU's official native photo marks Hill's contribution to a defense that finished with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

The Aggies had one takeaway of their own: Javon Gillespie intercepted Kohl near the goal line in the fourth quarter. It denied FIU a chance to extend the lead, but New Mexico State could not turn the stop into a scoring response. Damante and Hedden combined for only 123 passing yards, with an interception apiece.

New Mexico State's best offensive production came from James Jones, who ran for 89 yards. For FIU, Devonte Lyons supplied 78 rushing yards, while Kohl completed 12 of 21 passes for 115 yards. The Panthers finished with 220 total yards and the Aggies with 230.

That modest offensive output left the game to be decided by possession endings. FIU kept its scoring opportunities alive and converted them into reliable points. New Mexico State finished 3 of 12 on third down, and its three turnovers cut off chances to reduce the deficit. A game with just one touchdown still gave the Panthers a clear margin and a successful start to their conference schedule.