The Troy Trojans (4-2, 3-0 Sun Belt) defeated the FIU Golden Panthers (3-4, 2-1) 33-23 to knock the Golden Panthers out of its short stay in a first place tie for the Sun Belt conference lead.

The home victory for the Trojans was their fifth against the Golden Panthers in as many tries over the duration of the six-year series, although FIU has vacated the first three of those losses due to violations of NCAA rules during those seasons.

Despite the loss, the Golden Panthers received the most efficient performance of quarterback Paul McCall’s tenure at FIU.

The junior from Hollywood Hills completed 22-of-33 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns, setting career benchmarks in both yards and completions.

Despite the solid individual numbers, McCall was disappointed in the fact that he lost a fumble and threw an interception.

“In the second half I had two turnovers, and that falls squarely on my shoulders,” McCall said. “I have to do a better job of getting the guys set up in the right positions, and managing the game a little better.”

Troy helped its own cause by coming out roaring on its first drive, picking up three first downs and getting the ball to the FIU 20 yard line.

A Quentin Newman sack, however was the catalyst for forcing a fourth and 15, when Troy kicker Sam Glusman missed a 47 yard field goal, but FIU was flagged for roughing the kicker, giving the Trojan drive new life, and Troy took advantage getting a Levi Brown touchdown toss two plays later.

That penalty set a negative tone for FIU from there, as the Golden Panthers were flagged 10 times for 72 yards in the game.

FIU’s first possession was a three-and-out, and after a good Carlos Munera punt that pinned Troy inside of its own 20, one of five Munera punts that did so, Troy went right back to work, quickly.

On second-and five from the 14, Jerrel Jernigan caught a slant pass from Brown, at the 20 yard line, and did the rest of the work himself for an 86-yard score, and just minutes into the game, Troy led 13-0.

FIU got its first points after another quality Munera punt left Troy’s offense near its own goal line, and reserve center Steven Adams, snapped a shotgun snap over his quarterback and out of the end zone for a safety.

FIU’s offense responded with a five play, 62-yard drive capped by a Junior Mertile eight-yard touchdown reception, his first of the season, cutting the lead to 13-9.

Troy was able to add two field goals, to take a 10-point lead with just under four minutes remaining in the first half, before FIU was able to strike again.

This FIU drive was another long one, nine plays and 80 yards, and included a 40-yard T.Y. Hilton reception, which gave the standout freshman five consecutive games with at least one reception of 37 or more yards.

Daunte Owens ended the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, and the Troy halftime lead was just three, at 19-16.

Coming out of the intermission, FIU looked to keep the momentum rolling, but it was short lived, as Paul McCall was sacked by Cameron Sheffield, and fumbled.

Troy recovered at the 16 yard-line, and was able to quickly score, thanks to a Jernigan two-yard pass to Justin Bray.

The pressure was an issue for FIU all evening, which were without two of their regular offensive linemen.

Troy sacked Paul McCall seven times, and hurried him two others.

“Protection wise, we probably took a little bit of a step back, now, they are a great defensive line. We thought so all week long we thought could be an issue,” said head coach Mario Cristobal.

In FIU’s three victories, the FIU offensive line allowed just two sacks.

The Golden Panthers were not able to get closer than 10 the rest of the way, and Troy opened up a lead as large as 17 points, at 33-16, with a one-yard Dantavious Parker touchdown run that was set up by a Troy punt that touched FIU defensive end Jonathan Jackson, and was recovered at the FIU 9 by the Trojans.

FIU closed the scoring with a six-yard scoring strike from McCall to Jeremy Dickens with 9:27 remaining in the contest, and although FIU had three possessions after that one, they could not come up with a score.

Coach Cristobal did see some positives in his team’s first loss in 28 days,

“Daunte Owens ran well…he might be a good player for us,” Cristobal said.

Owens, who split carries with A’mod Ned, in place of the injured Julian Reams, rushed for 69 yards and a score in his first significant college playing time.

FIU will have a week off before hitting the road for its final game outside of South Florida this season, at conference co-leader Louisiana-Lafayette.