By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

Maybe it's because the FIU running game has been an equal contributor to the Panthers offensive success this season. Maybe it's because he's only had two 300-yard passing games or maybe it's because he has an unassuming personality at the most important position on a football team.

The reasons above might lead one to conclude that FIU quarterback Alex McGough is having a pedestrian senior season. It couldn't be farther from the truth.

Besides directing the Panthers to matching the program record for wins in a season, McGough is quietly enjoying the best season ever by an FIU quarterback in the program's 16-year history.

This season McGough has broken FIU single-season passing records for completion percentage, passing yards and passing efficiency.

McGough's 65.3 completion percentage, which is 14^th in the NCAA, topped the FIU record of 64 percent that McGough set in 2015. The 2,791 passing yards by McGough this season broke the FIU mark of 2,722 passing yards that he also set in 2015.

And McGough's passing efficiency rating of 142.8 broke a 15-year old FIU record held by the Panthers first quarterback Jamie Burke, who had a 141.5 passing efficiency in FIU's 2002 inaugural season. McGough saved the best for his last season.

"I wouldn't trade him for anyone," said Rich Skrosky, FIU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. "He's great to coach. The nice thing about him is that he's gotten better every week. If you remember early on he threw a couple of picks in the first few games that you were like 'Come on man, we're better than that.' I think his decision making has improved the most. More than anything he has not forced balls that maybe he would have early in the season. He's always been accurate. He's a talented kid."

With 231 completions in 2017, McGough is second to the FIU record of 269 completions that he already owns. McGough has thrown 17 touchdown passes this season which is also second to his FIU record 21 touchdown passes that he threw in 2015.

If McGough throws for 154 yards and completes 16 passes against Temple in the Gasparilla Bowl, then he will break the FIU career records for completions (820 by Josh Padrick) and passing yards (9,237 by Padrick).

Yet, despite all the statistical accomplishments this season McGough thinks he can do better.

"Coach Skrosky doesn't let me get away with anything," McGough said. "It could be a slant pass that I throw a centimeter in front or behind the receiver and he's on me about it. He's helped me grow so much as a man and as a football player and I can't thank him enough for putting the trust in me. I'm very tough on myself and grade myself harder than he probably does. I don't accept things that I think I can be better at."

As the games got more meaningful for FIU down the stretch of the season McGough played his best football.

In the final six games FIU went 4-2, became bowl-eligible by defeating UTSA and locked up a bowl berth with wins over Western Kentucky and UMass. It was during those half a dozen games that McGough shone.

McGough completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,455 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions in the final six games compared to a 60 percent completion percentage with five TDs and six picks in the first six games of the season.

"The biggest growth is his leadership and maturity on the field of guys being able to look to him when things get tough," said senior guard Jordan Budwig, who has also been McGough's roommate all four years. "This year he has limited the mistakes and seized the opportunities on big plays. He has the confidence in himself and the guys have confidence in him. He has gotten it rolling."