The offense took advantage of short fields for three quarters. After an ugly interception gifted the Panthers a fourth-quarter lead, UTEP and relief quarterback Skyler Locklear went 76 yards in 10 plays to move back ahead with 11:29 to play.

FIU’s football team, 2-4 at the halfway point of the season, is going to have to win four of its final six games to be bowl eligible for the first time since 2019. Getting there won’t be easy because the Panthers have dropped five straight road games – dating to last season – and they have three more contests away from home in 2024.

The Florida International Panthers face the UTEP Miners as Week 8 of the 2024 college football season gets underway from deep in the south of Texas for a midweek tilt.

UTEP (0-6, 0-3 CUSA) will host Florida International (2-4, 1-1 CUSA) in a Conference USA game at the Sun Bowl on Wednesday night. UTEP (0-6, 0-3 CUSA) is coming off a 44-17 setback at WKU on Oct. 10.

FIU hasn’t been awful, but it doesn’t have the record to prove it. It pushed Liberty in a 31-24 loss, beat Louisiana Tech, and use next is a dangerous game against Sam Houston.The finishing kick of the season isn’t too bad - the Panthers will likely be favored in three of the last four games - but it needs this win.