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Florida International decided to unveil a “Miami Vice” theme for a matchup against the University of Texas-El Paso, and it ended horribly wrong. Not only did the Panthers fall at home, 27-14, but the Miners used that theme against them.
UTEP players were seen posing with a custom FIU Lambo after a big play in the second half. It was the final nail in the coffin on a night where nothing went right for the home team.
Adding vicious insult to injury, the upset ruined FIU’s Wednesday night theme. The Golden Panthers spent much of the week hyping up a “Miami Vice” concept, pulling out all the stops.
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Custom uniforms, a barrage of social media content, a “305” zip code playing field paint job, “ViceU” merchandise, and a pregame luxury car show.
No stone was left unturned.
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Panther Nation understood the assignment. The players did not.
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The Miners jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead, reaching the endzone on each of their first three offensive possessions. An 80-yard touchdown pass was the highlight of that first half which gave UTEP immediate control of the contest.
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Florida International wouldn’t get within double digits the rest of the way, helping their Conference USA rival leave with its first league win.
UTEP would get their final shot in in the fourth quarter, using that “Miami Vice” theme against FIU. After picking off Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins late in the game, defender Torey Richardson raced across the field to celebrate.
His defensive unit quickly followed as they beelined towards the sidelines.
UTEP players then gathered around a custom FIU Lambo parked on the field to pose for a photo.
Imagine getting trolled with your own $200,000 prop. Brutal.
That’s the kind of night it was for the Panthers, who fell to 3-4 on the season with the loss.