The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

2031 TOP-25 PRESEASON POLL

It seems like the Alabama vs FIU National Championship Game was just played yesterday yet here we are talking about the 2031 season already..

It was a interesting vote with Alabama getting (41 1st place votes vs 36) for Notre Dame in the Media Poll yet the Irish got more 2nd place votes propelling them to #1, well the Coaches Poll as Alabama #1 with 34 votes with FIU at #2 with 25 votes.

(Team Overall/Offense/Defense)

Here is a look first at the Media Rankings.

#1 Notre Dame (90/91/90)
#2 Alabama (89/90/89)
#3 Washington (88/87/89)
#4 FIU (89/89/90)
#5 Oregon (87/86/89)
#6 Ole Miss (89/89/90)
#7 Penn State (89/89/89)
#8 Kansas State (87/86/89)
#9 Texas (91/91/92)
#10 Stanford (88/87/89)
#11 Buffalo (84/84/85)
#12 TCU (86/86/87)
#13 Virginia Tech (83/81/86)
#14 Boston College (82/81/84)
#15 Marshall (82/82/82)
#16 Florida State (86/86/86)
#17 Texas A&M (90/89/91)
#18 Clemson (89/89/90)
#19 Kentucky (86/86/86)
#20 Auburn (89/89/90)
#21 UMass (79/79/80)
#22 Southern Miss (83/82/85)
#23 Nebraska (87/87/87)
#24 Rutgers (80/80/81)
#25 Texas Tech (84/84/85)

COACHES POLL

#1 Alabama
#2 FIU
#3 Notre Dame
#4 Oregon
#5 Washington
#6 Ole Miss
#7 Stanford
#8 Texas
#9 Penn State
#10 Kansas State
#11 TCU
#12 Florida State
#13 Texas A&M
#14 Buffalo
#15 Virginia Tech
#16 Marshall
#17 Boston College
#18 Kentucky
#19 Clemson
#20 Auburn
#21 UMass
#22 Southern Miss
#23 East Carolina
#24 Rutgers
#25 Texas Tech.

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

A school I think would fit you, Deuce is UTSA. Dome, can run your pass game there, and just recruit speed on both sides. Great way to wrap up the recruiting. See Alabama doing Alabama things again.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

NCAA MAKES MAJOR CHANGE FOR 2031 SEASON

The NCAA announced that they are doing away with Conference Divisions for the 2031 season.. NCAA Commish Deuce2223 stated he wanted to see what changes might happen with Championship Week if Divisions winners were not part of the equation.. Instead all 12/15/16 team Conferences (American/Mountain West/ACC/Big Ten/Big 12/SEC) will still play 10 conference games and 2 out of conference games with the the 2 teams with the Best Overall Conference schedules playing each other in a neutral site location for Championship Week.

The MAC/Sun Belt and CUSA will continue to play 9 Conference opponents and 3 out of conference games with the 2 top teams facing each other like they did last year.

Deuce2223 "By doing this I am curious especially in the SEC if it will change things up could see is a Alabama/Georgia title game or a Texas vs Texas A&M. What about the Big Ten. Could Oregon play Washington or Notre Dame now or what about a Ohio State vs Penn State matchup. In the ACC, now FIU could play Virginia Tech or Miami in the ACC Championship game just as easy as they could also play ECU or Liberty still. The American has 4 Top-25 teams to start the year.. Could we see a BC vs UMass Showdown or will Buffalo play spoiler.."

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

A school I think would fit you, Deuce is UTSA. Dome, can run your pass game there, and just recruit speed on both sides. Great way to wrap up the recruiting. See Alabama doing Alabama things again.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

I have always like UTSA. I had them in the Pac-12/16 but they were not doing very good, so I moved to them to the MWC.. They are not bad Overall (84/84/84) but they are still just a 1* Prestige, so it would be fun to take them over and build them up. I actually have FIU to a 4 1/2 * right now.

I would say right now my short list of schools I would like to see as a possibility are

Minnesota (2*) 82/82/82
Tennessee (4*) 88/90/87
Arkansas (4*) 80/82/80
Florida (4*) 88/87/90

Other options if I wanted to be in the Pac-12/ Big 12 again.
Colorado (3*) 84/84/84
SMU (3*) 85/85/86
Oklahoma State (82/85/80)
Utah (3*) 85/86/85
Arizona State (3 1/2*) 81/81/82
Memphis (2 1/2*) 80/79/81
Washington State (2 1/2*) 83/82/84
Colorado State (2 1/2*) 82/84/82
Oregon State (1 1/2*) 79/81/79

UTSA would work as a option of going back to the MWC and then building them into a team I could move back to the Pac-12 or Big 12 though.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

2031 FIU MEDIA GUIDE

THE SCHEDULE

With the changes to the ACC no longer being broke into 2 Divisions we see a few changes to the schedule as FIU will no longer play the "King of the City" against Miami in Week 14. With the Week 14 rivalry opponent now being ECU.

FIU will kickoff the season in Week 1 as they play Florida in a neutral site game playing at Bank of American in Charlotte NC.. FIU other non-conference opponent/game will continue to be FAU in the Shula Bowl. Here is full look at the schedule.

Week 1 vs Florida (Bank of America-Charlotte NC)
Week 2 @ Liberty (Williams Stadium)
Week 3 vs FAU "Shula Bowl" (Pitbull Stadium)
Week 4 vs #24 Rutgers (Pitbull Stadium)
Week 5 @ Georgia Tech (Bobby Dodd Stadium)
Week 6 "Bye"
Week 7 vs Maryland (Pitbull Stadium)
Week 8 vs NC State (Pitbull Stadium)
Week 9 @ Syracuse (JMA Wireless Dome)
Week 10 "Bye"
Week 11 @ Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
Week 12 vs Wake Forest (Pitbull Stadium)
Week 13 vs West Virginia "Senior Day" (Pitbull Stadium)
Week 14 @ ECU (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium

MILLER ANNOUNCES REDSHIRTS

In a somewhat surprising move. Coach Matt Miller announced that he will Redshirt the entire 2030 class minus the 3 Transfer Portal additions meaning FIU fans will have to wait a season to get a look at 5* QB Kevin Pounds and 5* DE Kerry St. Pierre.. Here is a look at the entire Redshirt list. (Overall)

QB K. Pounds (80)
RB T. Trinidad (77)
RB M. Ware (75)
RB A. Coffey (69)
RB/FB D. Trufant (66)
FB D. Johnson (67)
FB A. Higgins (66)
WR I. Kamaul (76)
WR R. Abel (74)
WR E. Longo (74)
WR J. Singleton (71)
WR E. Allotey (68)
TE T. Tonyan (65)
RG F. Manuwai (74)
RT S. Avril (76)
DE K. St Pierre (76)
DE M. Clifton (68)
DE D. Bliss (64)
DT T. Moehrig (73)
DT J. Peters (73)
OLB D. Brown (75)
CB T. Hood (72)
FS T. Sharpe (68)
SS S. Yanda (66)

MULTIPLE PLAYERS CHANGE POSITIONS IN THE SPRING

2 years ago Coach Miller signed several 3* Athletes late in the recruiting process with multiple of them having the ability to play other positions besides QB. Last year we saw former 4* WR's Garrison Falah and Tim Pinner both make the move to Defense with Falah becoming the teams #1 CB well Pinner became a key backup at Saftey.

This year we saw another move as QB Gerald Sykes (71) moves to CB (79). Another QB on the move is Anferness Rasmussen (70) who switches to RB (75) as he looks to utilize his 90+ speed.

THE ACTIVE ROSTER

QB

SO D. Hawkins (84), RS SO G. McCrae (82), RS FR K. Angerer (76), RS FR B. Ingram (76).

Hawkins is the #1 after starting every game last season. Hawkins threw for 3428 yds with 34 TD and 15 INT well completing 54% of his pass's (A # we would like to see him improve). He was sacked 20 times a # we would like to see him cut down

McCrae "Mac" is back as the team's #2. The Lefty and former 4* attempted just 2 pass's last season completing 1 of them for 6 yds.

Angerer and Ingram both redshirted last year. They will rotate as the team's #3 Angerer actually has the biggest arm of all 4 QB's (95 THP) well Ingram is actually the fastest (88 SPD).

RB

RS JR S. Boyce (92), RS JR T. Cantwell (88) RS FR J. Agasiva (78), RS FR A. Rasmussen (76)

Boyce a former 4* Recruit was rumored to be hitting the portal unhappy with the current playstyle (guess he doesn't want to be a 2000 yd rusher) but he actually stayed.. He has 19 carries for 132 yds with 2 TD so far in his career.

Cantwell was one of the primary Kick returners last season. (32 KR 566 yds 17.7 avg). He has yet to record a actual carry out of the backfield.

Agasiva and Rasmussen both redshirted last year. For now they are depth pieces who will look to improve and fight off incoming recruits and Trinidad for the starting job in 2033.

FB

RS JR K. Strong (78).

Strong is actually the most experienced rusher on the team with 50 career carries for 347 yds and 6 TD's. He could play a bigger role in the run game if Coach Miller decides to pull one of the Redshirts off Johnson or Higgins or insert a TE as a blocking back on formations with Strong as the primary ball carrier.

WR

RS JR K. Newkirk (88) RS JR D. Meeks (83), RS SO C. Badet (82), RS FR W. Abiamiri (81) RS FR M. Muamba (79) RS SO S. Trapasso (78), SO T. Harmon (73) RS FR E. Boenzi (72) JR A. Moe (72)

Meeks has the most experience catching 44 balls for 693 yds and 8 TD's last year for the Bearcats. He will probably get first crack at being #1.

Speedster Kirk Newkirk (99 spd) has just 20 career receptions for 307 yds and 3 TD, but Coach Miller and Hawkins needs to figure out how to get him more involved in the offense.

RS SO's Steve Trapasso (36 462 8 ) and Carlos Badet (27 641 3) filled the #3/#4 role last year but with Abiamiri and Muamba as well as former 5* E. Boenzi all coming off their redshirt seasons, this unit has alot of players trying to fill 5 spots in a starting lineup. Don't forget former New Mexico transfer Afa Moe. Moe had just 5 catches last year but they went for 123 yds (24.6 avg) showing he can use his speed to make big plays. Moe will return as the team's primary KR. Last year he had 26 returns for 501 yds (19.3 avg).

TE

RS SO Earl Godwin (86), RS SO Ahmad Vilain (79) RS FR Kerry Simple.

Godwin posted 14 rec for 173 yds and 3 TD last year well Vilain had 5 rec for 108 yds and 2 TD. Simple redshirted.. Normally TE plays a bigger role in the Offense (Naanee 80 rec 1600 yds 14 TD).. I would expect to see Godwin or Vilians both double their last year stats this season.

0-LINE

RS SO C. Coxie (87), RS JR C. Brewer (86), RS SO Q. Stokes (83), RS SR C. Phenix (89) RS FR T. Vizcainio (81) is your starting unit that saw all 5 starters graduate. The good news here is only Phenix is a Senior so this unit should have at least 2 years together as starters minus 1.

RS SO D. Shakir (81) is the primary backup at every spot on the line. RS FR D. Judge (77) will provide depth at Tackle RS SO M. Post (80) will be 3rd string at both guard spots well RS FR K. Liedke (73) will be the 3rd string C.

RS JR M. Tonswel (75) and RS SR K. Friend (75) provide additional depth incase of a injury.

D-LINE

RS SR M. Phenix (88), RS JR E. Klemm (84), RS JR E. Cordero and I. Owusu (83)

These are the primary DE's that will look to replace Darby and Dinapoli.. Phenix has 10.5 sacks in his career well Cordero has 8.5. and Klemm has 4.5

RS SR J. Carden (83) RS JR D. Kuhn (77), RS FR M. Boyett (75) are the primary DT's.

Carden takes over for Faust a 3 year starter. Carden has 8 TFL and 5 Sacks over the past 2 years.

LB'S

OLB RS JR J. Guerrero (86), RS SR K. Goodwin (83), RS JR A. Wooleyhand (84), RS JR J. King (81) RS FR N Kashama (70)

MLB RS SO C. Faulk (89), RS SR S. Yoon (75) , RS SO S. Holliday (76)

Guerrero and Wooleyhand are listed as starters on the outside with Faulk in the Middle but Senior Soni Yoon (115 career tackles) has the most experience and PT. Faulk wasn't horrible but he is no Tevaughn Stewart.. Faulk missed part of last season with a injury thus Yoon taking over the Middle. Faulk ended the year with 41 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack.

DB'S

RS JR G. Falah (85), RS SR J. Marciano (83), RS SO C. Ryder (82), RS JR R. Dickerson (81) RS JR A. McPherron (80), RS FR G. Sykes (79).

Marciano played his first 2 seasons at Liberty before transferring to Florida State for 1 year. He had 51 Tackles and 2 INT last year for the Seminoles. He will be the #2 this year as Falah will stay as CB1. Falah posted 81 Tackles and had 4 INT as a Freshman and followed it up with 58 Tackles and 4 INT again last year. He also only allowed 3 Catches Against last season...

Dickerson had 3 INT last year as the team's #3 and spot starter. He will be back in the same role.. with RS SO C. Ryder pushing him for more snaps. Ryder is currently listed as the Slot CB.

RS JR A. Cookus (83) takes over as the teams starting FS replacing TJ Everett well former OLB George Moeung (86) moves to SS to take over for Beal. Moeung had 82 Tackles last year with 3 INT..

RS JR E. Jean-Pierre (81) is the primary FS backup with RS SO J. Ali the UCF transfer providing additional depth.

RS JR T. Pinner (78) and RS SO R. DeMar (78) will be the primary backups at SS.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

INSIDE PANTHER RECRUTIING

FIU-Overall (****1/2) 89/89/90
Championship Contender (A+) Rank #4
Program Tradition (A-) Rank #26
Campus Lifestyle (A) Rank #10
Stadium Atmosphere (B) Rank #46
Pro Potential (A) Rank #14
Brand Exposure (A-) Rank #22
Academic Prestige (B-) Rank #64
Conference Prestige (A) Rank #3
Coach Stability (B+) Rank #27
Coach Prestige (A+) Rank #3
Athletic Facilities (C) Rank #84


FIU goes into the 2031 Season with all 85 Scholarships Full for the first time since Coach Miller arrived at FIU.. The Panthers have just 8 Seniors on this year's roster along with 22 Juniors, 17 Soph's and a combined 38 Reshirted and True Freshman Redshirting.

Of the 8 Seniors, 2 are on the O-Line (1 starter and 1 reserve) with the other 6 on Defense (3 starters, 3 reserves).

Coach Miller coming off a 27 player class that was ranked #5 Overall will be limited with scholarships this season with the plans currently to sign a Max of 13 players (8 open scholarships plus my Max allowance of 5 Encouraged transfers) leaving the door to add some potential scholarships in the off-season should any players declare for the NFL Draft or seed the Transfer Portal.

Here is a look at the Top-25 Board that Coach Miller will try and recruit this season. Obviously the goal here is Quality over Quanity and after 4 straight trips to the Semi Finals and playing for 3 National Championships (winning 2) Coach Miller is heading outside the state of Florida as he looks to sign some of the Best players in the nation..

FIU PANTHERS Recruiting - 2032
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Iosefa Session (#1 OVR)	RT	HS	Kahuka HI	6'6	324
Ofisa Sippio (#5 OVR)	RE	HS	Freehold NJ	6'4	282
Jaden Nagy (#6 OVR)	QB	HS	Parker CO	6'3	191
Ricky McCarthy (#7 OVR)	DE	HS	Nashville TN	6'5	254
Jeremiah Faulk (#9 OVR)	FS	HS	Fresno CA	6'1	203
Dillon Yeast (#12 OVR)	FS	HS	Dallas TX	6'2	208
Stan Artmore (#14 OVR)	OLB	HS	Bradenton FL	6'1	233
Devin Kennedy (#17 OVR)	WR	HS	Franklin TN	6'2	204
George Okyayinonu (#21 OVR)	WR	HS	Seminole TX	5'10	198
Edward Marshall (#23 OVR)	WR	HS	Zephyrhills FL	6'4	208
Chester Provo (#25 OVR)	MLB	HS	Miami FL	6'0	228
Fredrick Buck (#27 OVR)	RT	HS	Greensboro NC	6'6	308
Dontae Love (#32 OVR)	RE	HS	Hayward CA	6'5	265
Seth Wirtel (#36 OVR)	MLB	HS	Columbus GA	6'2	222
Demarco Childress (#40 OVR)	DT	HS	Forsyth GA	6'3	296
Cam Coxie (#44 OVR)	TE	HS	Nashville TN	6'6	255
Nick Kight (#45 OVR)	RB	HS	Cleveland GA	6'0	205
Avery Grubbs (#47 OVR)	MLB	HS	Bradenton FL	6'2	226
Melvin Bone (#50 OVR)	CB	HS	Madison FL	6'1	179
Emmett Wire (#52 OVR)	CB	HS	Bradenton FL	5'11	180
Joel Craft (#80 OVR)	OLB	HS	Fort Lauderdale FL	6'2	248
George Trinidad (#97 OVR)	LT	HS	Lake Wales FL	6'4	313
Kendle Hajrullahu (#100 OVR)	WR	HS	Fort Lauderdale FL	6'2	179
Josh Moe (#119 OVR)	DT	HS	Ocala FL	6'2	280
David Quintana (#253 OVR)	RB	HS	Opa Locka FL	5'11	225

[redsox907]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Lots of 5* on the board, getting at least half of them would be a huge move for FIU.

Interested to see how the offense looks without Wolverine now. Does Coach Miller stick with the heavy run looks, or go back to his "roots" and air it out again with Hawk.

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

The schedule looks like it shaped up pretty good minus Miami mid-season, and ECU is closing it out. Like how the bye weeks are now spread out for you.

I agree with Redsox. The recruiting class looks nice. Coach Miller is starting off with a bang with all those 5*'s.

I am interested in seeing how Hawkins does. Will he put last year behind him and get going, or will he distress and causing Coach Miller to have a short leash on him and causing a possible QB controversy for Coach Miller?

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Lots of 5* on the board, getting at least half of them would be a huge move for FIU.

Interested to see how the offense looks without Wolverine now. Does Coach Miller stick with the heavy run looks, or go back to his "roots" and air it out again with Hawk.

Boyce has skills but honestly I am ready to give Hawkins the keys and see what he can do with all the WR's we got.. I would love to get the Offense back to the day's of like 4500-5000 yds passing and 1500-2000 yds rushing as a team. I could still see Boyce getting a 1000 yds but honestly I would like to keep him at more like 15-20 carries a game not 25-35 like Logan and keep my team rushes more in the 30 range instead of 40-50 like last year.

With only 13-15 scholarships I figured go all in on the recruits.. If I can land (5) 5* and 8-10 4*, I would be pretty happy...

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

The schedule looks like it shaped up pretty good minus Miami mid-season, and ECU is closing it out. Like how the bye weeks are now spread out for you.

I agree with Redsox. The recruiting class looks nice. Coach Miller is starting off with a bang with all those 5*'s.

I am interested in seeing how Hawkins does. Will he put last year behind him and get going, or will he distress and causing Coach Miller to have a short leash on him and causing a possible QB controversy for Coach Miller?

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

I am pretty happy with the schedule.. I was curious what would happen when I got rid of the Divisions. I don't mind Miami moving to mid season and honestly it totally makes sense to have ECU for rivalry week.

I feel like Hawkins is the guy.. I am willing to have some growing pains. I am interested to see Pounds though..

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

PANTHERS SURVIVE UPSET IN WEEK 1!!

Florida Gators at Florida International Golden Panthers
Aug 30, 2031	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Florida Gators ((0-0))	10	14	0	0	3	27
#3 Florida International Golden Panthers ((0-0))	7	3	0	14	6	30

Team Stats Comparison
	FLA	FIU
Total Offense	409	373
Rushing Yards	67	35
Passing Yards	337	313
First Downs	11	18
Punt Return Yards	47	47
Kick Return Yards	24	77
Total Yards	480	497
Turnovers	3	1
3rd Down Conversion	5/13	10/19
4th Down Conversion
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	0-1-33%	2-1-60%
Penalties	6-65	7-70
Possession Time	24:06	39:54

GAME RECAP


The Post Logan Offense struggled in the 1st half as Florida took a 2 score lead into the half (24-10) but the Panther Defense came up huge in the 2nd half forcing 3 turnovers to help FIU tie the game and force Overtime.

Florida SR QB Cassius Neilon (88) looked great in the 1st half throwing for 260 yds with 3 TD's including a 75 yd bomb to SO WR Ben Silvera (82) and a 56 yd score to SR WR Angelo Lopez (88).

FIU struggled to find a balance with their new look offense.. RS JR Shawn Boyce score a touchdown midway through the 1st Quarter on his longest run of the day (5 yds) but a Derek Hawkins INT killed a scoring opportunity in the 2nd Quarter with a chance to tie the game and instead gave the Gators a (17-10) lead. FIU was then forced to punt with 55 seconds to play in the half which lead to the 56 yd TD to Lopez which gave Florida the 2 score lead.

SO CB Cordale Ryder came up with his 1st career INT in the 3rd Quarter to help keep FIU in the game, but the offense pretty solid on 3rd down most of the day comes up short as they send out the punt team.. Then it was RS JR SS Tim Pinner coming up with INT #2 late in the 3rd Quarter giving FIU the ball to open the 4th Quarter.

Hawkins would finally put together a full drive as he finds Cincy transfer Dom Meeks on a 19 yd TD to make it (24-17).. Then midway through the 4th, Quarter Neilon is picked off by Garrison Falah as he throws INT #3, leading to another Hawkins/Meeks hookup as the Panthers tie the game with under 3 minutes to play. Florida would punt the ball with 1:48 to play giving FIU a chance to win it in regulation but the Panthers would fail to convert on their own 3rd and 4 and Coach Miller made the tough call to punt with 38 seconds to play. Florida would attempt back to back deep throws hoping to win it but the Panther D was ready knocking the ball away.

Florida opened up the OT period with the ball and the FIU Defense again comes up with a huge stop forcing a Gator FG. The Panthers knew the game was theirs with a touchdown and despite the run game still not working Hawkins was taking no chances as the QB keeps ball himself 3 times on the drive rather then throwing into double coverage.. Hawkins would then find TE Earl Godwin on what looked like the game winner but the Zebra's call him out at the 3 yd line.

RS JR Terrance Cantwell would get his first carry of the game and did what he needed to do as he takes it 3 yds for the score..

Neilon finished the game 21/31 (67%) throwing for 337 yds with the 3 TD and 3 INT.

KEY PANTHERS

QB D. Hawkins-29/45 (64%) 313 yds 2 TD 1 INT, sacked 4 times, 14 yds rushing.
RB S. Boyce-16 carries 43 yds 1 TD, 2 rec 5 yds
RB T. Cantwell-1 carry 3 yds 1 TD, 2 rec 11 yds
WR E. Boenzi-9 carries 123 yds
WR D. Meeks-7 rec 77 yds
WR K. Newkirk-7 rec 76 yds
TE E. Godwin-2 rec 21 yds


UP NEXT

FIU heads to Lynchberg in Week 2 as FIU takes on the Liberty Flames.

[redsox907]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Running game clearly missed Logan out of the gate, but Hawk got it done and they came through when it counted

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

PANTHERS MOVE TO 2-0!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at Liberty Flames
Sep 6, 2031	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#3 Florida International Golden Panthers ((1-0))	17	7	7	17	48
Liberty Flames ()	7	0	3	7	17

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	LIB
Total Offense	475	325
Rushing Yards	60	89
Passing Yards	415	227
First Downs	18	12
Punt Return Yards	15	20
Kick Return Yards	65	68
Total Yards	555	413
Turnovers	3	2
3rd Down Conversion	5/11	4/12
4th Down Conversion	2/3	1/3
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	2-1-50%	1-0-50%
Penalties	7-55	5-39
Possession Time	33:25	26:34

GAME RECAP

FIU moved to 2-0 this week despite 7 penalties that erased over 100 yds of rushing as QB Derek Hawkins has one of his best games in a Panther uniform.

Liberty opened up the game with the ball and 3 players later it was (7-0) as SO QB Storm Petty (78) hits SR WR BJ Bainivalu (80) on a 63 yd bomb.

FIU however responds by scoring 24 unanswered to close out the half as Hawkins connects on a trio of touchdowns including a pair to Cincy transfer Dom Meeks (33 yds and 21 yds) as well as TE Earl Godwin (13 yds).. Taj Dozier would hit a FG with 42 seconds to play in the half to finish out the scoring as FIU goes into the locker room up (24-7).

FIU had a 40 yd TD run by Shawn Boyce called back for Holding as well a 2 other 1st down runs..

FIU opened up the 2nd half with the ball but it took only 1 play to add 7 more points to the scoreboard as Hawkins throws TD #4 in the form of a 75 yd bomb to JR WR Kris Newkirk as he shows off his 99 speed.

Liberty would add a 39 yd FG by JR Chad Harris (73) to make it (31-10) late in the 3rd.

FIU opened up the 4th Quarter scoring as Boyce finally gets into the endzone after 3 more holding calls erase another 30+ yds to make it (38-10). Boyce would end the day with 11 carries for just 27 yds on the ground but midway through the 4th Boyce would catch a 15 yd TD from Hawkins to extend the lead to (45-10) giving him 67 yds on 6 receptions as he establishes his role in the passing game.

Give Liberty and Strom Petty credit they never gave up as Petty finds TE Dejon Berryman for a 4 yd score with 2:12 to play to make it (45-17)..

FIU could've just ran out the clock, but with 12 seconds to play Coach Miller ran Taj Dozier out for a 49 yd FG attempt and the Junior nailed it to make it (48-17).

Petty finished the game 15/28 (53%) 227 yds 2 TD

KEY PANTHERS

QB D. Hawkins-30/42 (71%) 415 yds 5 TD, 26 yds rushing
RB S. Boyce-11 carries 27 yds 1 TD, 6 rec 67 yds 1 TD
RB T. Cantwell 2 carries 7 yds, 2 rec 12 yds
WR D. Meeks-6 rec 109 yds 2 TD
WR K. NewKirk-4 rec 98 yds 1 TD
WR E. Boenzi-6 rec 70 yds
TE E. Godwin-6 rec 59 yds 1 TD

UP NEXT

FIU now 2-0 on the season will look to make it 3 in a row as they will kickoff their season opener at Pitbull with the Shula Bowl vs FAU.

FAU comes into the game (0-2) on the season.. They lost in Week 1 @ Northwestern (31-16) and then lost in Week 2 at home vs #13 Marshall (33-21).

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Running game clearly missed Logan out of the gate, but Hawk got it done and they came through when it counted

The Florida game I had probably close to 80 yds called back for holding calls.

The Liberty game I lost count but it was probably closer to like 130 yds lost on holding calls. I guess I never realized how good of a blocker Tyler Cisco was at WR.. It's no all 0-Line.. like 8 calls between the 2 games went against my WR's. Guess they don't want to block or maybe they don't know how

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Hawkins came out of the gate sluggish against FSU. But turned it around against Liberty and just went off. Hope he can build off this momentum and put his critics to bed.

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