Troy University Athletics
Troy University
FIU
Cattouse Powers Trojans to 34-16 Win
10/6/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
MIAMI, Fla. ? Troy senior Kenny Cattouse had a career night, rushing for 205 yards and a touchdown, to lead the Trojans to a 34-16 victory over Florida International at the Orange Bowl Saturday night.
The victory for Troy (4-2, 3-0) was the Trojans's fourth straight while the loss for FIU (0-6, 0-2) was the Panthers' 18th straight.
Cattouse had already rushed for more than 100 yards when he ripped off an 88-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. His effort powered the Trojans to a season-high 269 rushing yards.
If Troy thought coming to the Orange Bowl was going to be a walk in the park, FIU let the Trojans know early that would not be the case. After forcing a Trojans' punt, FIU drove the ball down Troy's throat, covering 87 yards on 11 plays, mostly on the ground. Panthers' quarterback Wayne Younger carried the final four yards with 2:38 left in the first quarter and, with Chris Abed's PAT kick, FIU held a 7-0 lead.
After failing to score in the opening quarter for the second straight week, the Trojans got on the board in the second quarter with a 39-yard Greg Whibbs field goal. The Troy drive went 70 yards before stalling and included a 24-yard pass to Gary Banks after Omar Haugabook escaped a furious FIU rush. The completion extended Banks' streak to 25 straight games with at least one catch.
The Trojans got their offense on track on the next possession, needing just over two minutes to drive 82 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. The key play in the drive was a 23-yard pass over the middle to sophomore tight end Travis Boyd. Haugabook followed up three plays later with a two-yard TD run, his sixth of the season and 11th of his career, giving Troy a 10-7 lead with 7:25 left in the half.
The Trojans got on the board again before the half thanks to senior return man Leodis McKelvin. After not getting a chance to return the first three FIU punts of the night, McKelvin took the fourth Chris Cook punt back 84 yards for a touchdown. It was McKelvin's second punt return for a score for the year and the sixth of his career. The 84-yard return also set a new school record for the longest in school history, breaking his own mark of 74 yards set earlier this year against Oklahoma State.
FIU came right back with a five-play drive, covering 54 yards and ending in a 39-yard Abed field goal with 1:25 left in the half. The key play in the drive was a 45-yard completion from Younger to freshman receiver Greg Ellingson.
Troy answered FIU's scoring drive with a drive of its own before the half, moving 62 yards in nine plays and culminating in a 20-yard Whibbs field goal with three seconds left in the half for a 20-10 Trojans lead.
After failing to score on the first possession of the third quarter, the Trojans extended their lead the next time they got the ball, driving 67 yards on nine plays and culminating in a three-yard TD pass from Haugabook to sophomore Andrew Davis. Whibbs' PAT gave Troy a 27-10 lead with 6:38 left in the third quarter.
After forcing another FIU punt, the Trojans started their next possession at their own 12, but didn't stay there long. Cattouse took a handoff from Haugabook, cut the right sideline and then back to the middle of the field, out-running the FIU defense 88 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest run of Cattouse's career and the longest run ever against FIU. Whibbs' PAT kick put Troy on top 34-10 with 3:08 left in the third quarter.
FIU added a late touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Younger to James Rucker closing the Trojan lead to 34-16.
Troy vs. Florida International Game Notes
* Tonight's game captains were Omar Haugabook, Romanique Lewis, Trevor Ford, Kennard Burton, and Gerald Tate
* Gerald Tate got his first career start against FIU.
* The Trojans were held scoreless in the first quarter for the 17th time in the last 30 games. They have been outscored 189-119 in the first quarter during the last 30 games.
* Gary Banks caught a pass for his 25th consecutive game.
* Omar Haugabook scored his eighth rushing touchdown of the season on a two-yard carry in the second quarter.
* Leodis McKelvin's 84-yard punt return in the second quarter was the longest return in school history. It was also his sixth return for a touchdown in his career.
* Patrick Cherry caught his first pass of his career in the third quarter.
* Elbert Mack's two interceptions in the third quarter were his third and fourth of the season and the sixth of his career. It was also his second two-interception game of his career.
* Andrew Davis caught his first touchdown pass of the season in the third quarter.
* The 88-yard touchdown run from Kenny Cattouse was the longest of his career.
