MIAMI, Fla. — Even though FIU knew it was coming, the Golden Panthers could not find a way to keep tight end Gator Hoskins out of the endzone.
The Florida native hauled in three touchdown catches as Marshall buried Florida International 48-10
It was a career night for Hoskins, who posted 136 yards receiving on six catches, the most receiving yards by a Marshall tight end since Cody Slate registered 177 yards in 2007. Hoskins’s three scoring grabs gave him 25 for his career, catapulting him to fourth on the all-time touchdown catches list behind Randy Moss (53), Darius Watts (47) and Mike Barber (26). And he did it all in front of friends and family who made the trip from his hometown of Gainesville, Fla.
“It’s a great feeling,” Hoskins said. “I’ve got a lot family out here in the crowd tonight and I’m glad they came out and supported us. “
With the win, Marshall notched back-to-back road wins for the first time since 2004 and its first eight-win season since 2003.
It took a while for Hoskins and the rest of the offense to get warmed up. Marshall was shutout in the first quarter, punting three times, and trailed 3-0 after the initial 15 minutes of the game. The Herd looked flat and out of synch to start the game, maybe even pressing with so many Florida natives playing in front of friends and family.
“We went out there trying to do too much, “ said receiver Tommy Shuler.
In the second quarter The Herd’s offense found its rhythm and posted three touchdowns. A 71-yard Steward Butler touchdown run was sandwiched around two Rakeem Cato touchdown passes to put The Herd up 20-3. Cato hit a wide-open Gator Hoskins for a 25-yard scoring drive with 13:25 left in the half. Marshall followed that up with Butler’s touchdown run.
The Herd took control of the game late in the first half. FIU was driving inside Marshall territory. The Golden Panthers worked the ball down to the Marshall 32-yard line when The Herd defense stepped up and forced a turnover. Darryl Roberts jumped a quick slant and intercepted FIU quarterback E.J. Hilliard to give the offense the ball back with 2:17 to play in the half.
Cato completed four passes in the two-minute drill including a 21-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Shuler to put Marshall up 20-3 at the half.
“I was concerned about this game,” admitted Doc Holliday. “All they wanted to talk about was that game next week.”
Cato and Hoskins would hook up again in the third quarter for a 15-yard scoring toss. But Cato and Hoskins weren’t done yet. Late in third quarter, the pair salted the game away with a 32-yard scoring strike to give Marshall a commanding 34-3 lead.
With a 31-point lead, Doc Holliday pulled most of his starters. The Herd tacked on two more touchdowns thanks to a 45-yard touchdown run by Blake Frohnapfel, and then Frohnapfel lofted a 40-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunt.
Cato finished the night with 241 yards and four touchdowns. he now has 33 touchdown passes on the season, good for eighth on the single-season list. His 37 last season is tied for third with Chad Pennington.
Marshall is back at Joan C. Edwards Stadium Friday afternoon to play host to East Carolina. The Herd is tied with the Pirates at the top of the east division standings and the winner goes on to play in the C-USA championship game on Dec. 7.