Morgan leads FIU to 36-17 win over Rice

0:39

FIU picks off Marshman

LB Edwin Freeman jumps in front of Evan Marshman's pass and makes the interception to set up the Golden Panthers in Rice territory.

Oct 21, 2018, 03:53 am

MIAMI -- 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.