From North To Middle

Before we get to the challenge of Middle Tennessee that awaits your Golden Panthers on Saturday, let's wrap up the 42-10 win over North Texas.

The tone of that game was set from the opening FIU drive. Yes, I know the Golden Panthers were stopped on 4th down at the NT 10, but we saw that FIU was more than capable of moving the ball downfield 70 yards on the Mean Green. From there it was all downhill for the FIU O.

Something we had not seen from FIU most of this season was the deep passing game, but Paul McCall and the WRs showed that FIU can hit the home run. The 65-yard TD to T.Y. Hilton was precise as PM dropped the ball just in front of Good-Bye who caught it in stride and never looked back.

The TD pass in the corner of the end zone to Greg Ellingson was a nifty one too. And once FIU showed it could hit the deep pass, the running lanes opened.

Speaking of running, Daunte Owens had a nice debut averaging 5 yards a carry and gaining 25 total. The O-line kept PM clean with the exception of one sack.

The D-line benefited from the return of Reggie Jones (1 sack), who made like Reggie Bush on his INT return hurdling an NT player. Quentin Newman and Jonathan Betancourt had nice games. The Golden Panthers put more pressure on the QB in this game than in any of the first 4 and they'll need more of that against MT.

The FIU D again was suffocating against NT. You could tell from watching the game how much faster FIU was compared to NT. El Oso was his usual stellar self and Matt Garris, now healthy, had a solid game.

The secondary did not allow anything deep, but like someone mentioned on the live blog sometimes they went for the kill shot instead of wrapping up and it cost them yardage. In this game it didn't matter, but in what should be a dogfight with the Blue Raiders this Saturday those extra 10-15 yards given up could be back breakers, especially when it appears they have the opposing O stopped.

Special teams -- which you can read a story about in Tuesday's MH that's why this Monday blog is a little late -- have been outstanding all season and that continued vs. NT. O' Darris D' Haiti and Blue25 teamed up on the punt block/TD return.

Punter Carlos Munera has had a quiet solid season placing several punts inside the 10. The dude does have a heck of a leg.

The only thing FIU did not accomplish was the shutout -- which had not happened since FIU shut out Butler 42-0 in the inaugural season. MC went nuts and got an unsportsmanlike penalty when NT kicked a FG to ruin the shutout. Afterward, MC said he will do up-downs in Tuesday's practice as punishment for getting flagged.

GOLDEN PANTHERS PAWSE

More shakeups in the WIN A GPP BLOG leaderboard after another FIU win (reminder: FIU/Middle Tennessee scores have to be in by 6:59 p.m. GPP Time on Saturday):

5-0 (pts. differential)

FIU Chris (93); Baltimorepanther (106); CJ (111); Ultimate FIU Fan (125).

4-1

Clawing Cancer (94), FIUVoice (94); outofthecage88 (96); FIU Love (100); FIUJM (102); FIUBlue82 (105), Gold (105); TheChampionUnderdog (106); NYCFIUFan (110); Puma (111); Fomenter (112), FIU0406 (112); FIUPantherFan (113); Gazi (114); The OC Panther (115); esteban688 (117); FIU Fanatic (121); FIUBlueandGold (127); TNGoldenPanther (129); alt7787 (134).

3-2

Max (128); fiufan751 (132), FIUrulez (132); U24/7 (133); gpantera (136), Quijote (136); FIUfantastic (158), MIA/NY Josh (158); CrazyCane (166).

2-3

SouthPaw (158).

GPP 4-1, 133.

**

If your screen name is not listed above, then I did not receive a score from you.

Plenty of positives from Saturday's win against the Mean Green, but which one stood out for you:

Online Surveys & Market Research

Comments

[Quijote]

Pete,

I hope you got my last question, looks like I just got it in before you updated the blog.

FF, II, UU...FIU!!!!!

[gpantera]

FIU 27, MTSU 13

[Max]

I think this next game might be like the one we played against MTSU in 06, a lot of defense. My prediction:

FIU 17
MTSU 13

[TheChampionUnderdog]

Pete,

seems like we got pretty banged up with little canada, robert mitchell, and chris cawthorn going down..... it would be a huge blow to the team not have them going into saturday.

im going to hold my predictions untill i know their statuses

[FIUPanther07]

Let's GO FIU!

I hope everyone has a chance to go out this Saturday to The Cage. It should be a fun game.

[FIUBlueandGold]

Listened to the SBC week 6 coaches conference call and it now appears that other coaches are taking notice and the writers on the call were interested in opposing analysis of our recent success. A win against MTSU would be huge for this program. We have 2 more road games and then home for all of November with a quasi-road game at FAU ?? If we can get a split vs. Troy and ULL (1-1) coming home to ASU, ULM, FAU and WKU, I think we can get to at least 6 wins and challenge for the SBC title.

The schedule favors us in November and FIU needs the community to support this team at home. The passive fan/graduate needs to be reached somehow. Ads and emails are great, but we need the media on our side too !!

It needs to be clear that alumni and students can get free tix if they contact FIU. The only way to do this is via a large phone bank. We have 3.5 days to "bang out" as many calls as possible to invite people to the MTSU game.

Get it done FIU, no excuses !!! Call your season tix holders and offer them extra seats to invite friends, family etc...If the student section holds 6K, and the majority are local stidents, those students should be encouraged to invite their families too !!! Think outside the box please, for once !!!!

Get it done FIU no excuses anymore...

[FIU Love]

FIU 17
MTSU 13

I predict a big win for the program. Like the article mentions, the Special Teams will have to step up if they are going to win; especially the feild goal team, I predict it will go down to fields goals on this one.

[FIUrulez]

Pete,
I read in your article that O'Darris D'Haiti is a walk-on. The other day you mentioned a walk-on from Braddock getting a lot of playing time. Overall, how big has the walk-on contribution been for FIU? It seems to me that they have been very helpful. I remember Cristobal saying something to the effect that the walk-on program here could be the best in the state at one point. My basic overall question is, how good are our walk-ons?

[FIUrulez]

Pete,
I read in your article that O'Darris D'Haiti is a walk on. The other day you mentioned a walk on from Braddock getting a lot of playing time. Overall, how big has the walk on contribution been for FIU? It seems to me that they have been very helpful. I remember Cristobal saying something to the effect that the walk on program here could be the best in the state. My basic overall question is, how good are our walk ons?

[Gold]

Wow, just wow so far. I am so freaken happy about our accomplishments thus far. Let’s keep it up FIU!

FIU 17 Middle 13

Close one but I think the home field advantage will be the difference in this game.

[Gold]

Pete, quick question:

Have you seen an increase in traffic for your blog as of late?
Where do you stand in comparison to the other blogs at the Herald?

Again, GO FIU!

[FIUFan]

PP, I agree with you that the tone for the game was set on the first drive of the game as we marched down the field against UNT. I do disagree to some extent about the 'kill shots'; those blows knocked their QB out and probably left him a bit gun shy the rest of the game as well as dislodging their running back from the ball after he had made a substantial gain. Nothing like one of those shots to get the whole team jacked.

To the GPP community, please stop predicting the rest of the season, I know it's cliche but it's the most classic of traps to look beyond your next opponent. We need a big crowd at the Cage on Saturday to help this team ride their current wave of emotion and momentum.

Everybodies now scouting FIU, we need to be scouting MTSU. They beat Maryland at home, they lost by 6 at Kentucky on the road. Their defense looks pretty good and their offense can score.

We need no traps and a lot of emotion in the cage come Saturday Night.

Go Panthers !!!

[ridgepanther]

So here is the deal.......
this game may be the difference between turning this season into something special or be prepared for the up and downs that come with SBC play. Also, did anyone notice MC's penalty when he lost control on the sidlines in Texas?

[FIUFloridaPower&Light]

Pete

I would also like to know if you have noticed an increase in reads over time. And how do we rank overall.

Also, in your opinion, what game would we have to win to prove we are good. In other words, losing to Iowa doesn't prove much, but beating NT doesn't really help us compare to good SBC teams. Which team would we have to beat to prove we are good?

[Quijote]

Excellent points FIUFan, they are clearly MUCH better than people seem to be giving them credit for. Especially Maryland, which may come out as the ACC winner.

[TheU24/7]

Congrats FIU on your recent success - you played and beat teams ranked #116 and #119 out of 120 according to Rivals.

My prediction this week:

MTSU 35
FIU 17

[Ultimate FIU Fan]

This game is surely a tough one to call. However, hoping that we get a huge turnout from students, alumni and fans and BANKING on this turnout to help FIU have its 12th man, I predict:

FIU 23
MTSU 20

I think several field goals on both sides. Pete answer this: Why is Julian Reams on kick-offs with TY Hilton? I understand you may want two returners; however a combo of TY and Alonzo Phillips seems more logical. Speed + Speed equal a possible long run.

GO FIU!!!

[What's your problem ridgepanther?]

Why are you so negative ridgepanther? Did the coaching staff do something to you? MC knows he can have penalties like that; he's just a passionate coach.

[sixfeetaway]

Thank You for the kudos The U24/7! I'd also like to extend my congrats on your heroic victories over the likes of Charleston Southern and Texas A&M. You sure are setting the example as a powerhouse in the ACC...

[TheChampionUnderdog]

The U24/7 is a moron..... the Canes are pathetic.

[TheU24/7]

TheChampionUnderdog please explain how the canes are pathetic. Losses to UF and FSU, that makes a team pathetic?

The number 1 recruiting class in the country - first round picks every year for 14 years - more players in the NFL than any other college program - 5 nat'l championships - longest home game win streak in history - please explain to me how the canes are pathetic.

[FIUBlueandGold]

You have to read the hilarious comments on Manny's blog, LOL - trouble in paradise ? What's funny is that RS uses the excuse that he's got young kids playing...sound familiar ? Then again the expectations are different when you inherit an 0 -12 team as opposed to a program with 5 Nat'l titles...

Someone earilier mentioned not to look ahead and make predictions. Thing is, my comments are directed at fans not the team. MTSU can be a turning point for the season. We need people involved and understanding what is at stake here ??

The FIU community needs to SEIZE this moment and get out there for saturday's game and support this team.

[Quijote]

The U24/7,

Congrats UM on your recent success, you beat teams ranked #87 (Texas A&M) and...eh well a team ranked well beyond #120...perhaps in the 200s, not sure where Charleston Southern, being a Division II team, is ranked. lol

You guys ARE pathetic, especially considering you have the #1 recruiting class in the country you should be a top 25 team.

[Quijote]

You're also a bunch of babies...did you see one of your guys crying on the sidelines during the first quarter because you were down 21-0? lol that was hilarious! he was actually crying, tears running underneath his eyes and all.

Hey, UM, THERE'S NO CRYING IN FOOTBALL!!!!!

[FIUBlueandGold]

Sam Shields should start for UCG !!!

He's clutch.

[scUMsanitizer]

Past scUM success and championships does not equal future ones...snap into reality. scUM IS pathetic, not was, IS.

[CrazyCane]

Quijote - do you understand college football at all dude? The #1 recruiting class in the country takes a year or two to pan out and make a real difference. I knew you didn't know how to read and write beyond a third grade level, but I figured you at least knew a little about college football.

And just so we are clear, Texas A&M was ranked #80 - not #87.

As far as comparing the rest of the schedules for both schools here are the breakdowns and rankings per Rivals

UM plays

Va Tech #20
Wake Forrest #23
Georgia Tech #24
Duke #68
NC State #73
Virginia #90
UCF #105

FIU plays

Ark. State #84
Troy #85
Middle Tenn #93
Lousiana lafayette #98
FAU #104
Lousiana Monroe #113
West Kentucky #117

Okay, so for all you idiots out there in FIU dreamland - please do not compare the schedule/records/or Universities anymore. FIU plays nobody because they are nobodies. Be happy with wins over teams ranked in #115 to #120 range while the big boys are playing teams with heartbeats.

[FIUrulez]

Pete
Sorry to ask another question. I know you're a busy guy but I was wondering if the Herald and you have explored a FIU podcast (video or just audio.) I figure the more us readers demand from you, the more the Herald has to pay you. Maybe? HA HA. I'm just another one of these FIU freaks that wants more FIU.

[Quijote]

Ah Crazy back to his old ways! Welcome back bud!!!

[FIUBlueandGold]

CrazyCane,

You know what 2 - 10 gets Dah U ???

A NEW coach for you sissies !! I just love how you continue to insist that there is no comparison between UCG and a school playing ball for 7 years...

Yet, you go and dig up stats etc.....

Let's examine this, FIU sneaks into a bowl game this year and UCG is sitting at home ?

So what if it's the New Orleans bowl or Maxipad Bowl, I don't care. Only bowl you're gonna see is your season getting flushed down the toilet bowl by incompetent coaches !!

I supposed FAU crushing Memphis last year was not evidence enough that our conference can be competitive.

[CrazyCane]

No- it wasn't - it was evidence that FAU was competitive last year - not your conference.

[Quijote]

SunBelt is almost as competitive as the ACC this year lol how many top tier programs are in the ACC this year ONE...TWO?! In fact, Sunbelt beat ACC earlier this year...and one of your best ACC mind you.

[TheChampionUnderdog]

crazy,

fiu is in its third year of D-1 football....

the Canes have no good excuse as to why theyve been so pathetic the past two years.

and you will lose all of those games except for UCF and Virginia... and perhaps duke

[FIUJM]

CrazyCane, how convenient of you to leave out that we played #15 Kansas and #20(before #10) South Florida. Another thing, I saw Virginia is on the Canes schedule, is that same Virginia(#90...i think should be higher in the 100's)that beat you 48-0 last year? What was Randy Shannon's excuse?

Good game tonight, FAU vs Troy. My money is on Troy, nothing seems to be going right for FAU.

GO FIU!!!

[FIUBlueandGold]

Oh I forgot, another attorney or lawyer wanna-be ??

FAU, conference....whatever !!

So after you lose to the Mighty Knights ranked what ?? #90th, you guys should drop below them.......

LOL, Randy has lost that team and his coaches know it. He bamboozeled his way into that job and got Soldinger, Kehoe and Coker fired for what ?? So he could right the ship.........

CrazyscUM, nobody outside of the coaching staff wanted that job anyway !!

[CrazyCane]

FIUBlueandGold - yeah, I'm sure Schiano is happy he stayed at Rutgers. Please - you FIU idiots win two games against teams that are two of the worst in college football and you think you are worl beaters.

And as for you FIUJM - I guess I have to add you to the readers on this bloig with no sense and no education which taught reading comprehension. I posted the rest of the schedule, as in, games remaining. I also left off UF and FSU and NC from Miami's list moron.

[FIUBlueandGold]

At least you realize that UCF will own U.

"FIU Idiots" real mature....I like flithy scUM bags better.

[FIUJM]

You have to be kidding me, nobody here is talking FIU is going to win a national championship. We're on a 2 game winning streak; nothing wrong with that. You should just worry about your coach at UM and trying to be .500 this year. If you guys lose to UCF, you watch how your fan base is asking for Shannon's firing.

By the way, Coker had top 5 recruiting classes and where did that get him? It's not all about recruiting, someone has to coach them up. Many Canes fans feel the same way I do.

[FIUrulez]

Drop the Miami talk, please. I beg of you wonderful FIU people. PLEASE.

[Quijote]

Hey LAY OFF UM fans...they are on a two game streak too!!

A TWO GAME LOSING STREAK. bwahahahahaha.

Let's get our third string quarterback ready!!!

[FIUJM]

I should know better to ignored that idiot who is a bad representation of their fan base. Not all Canes fans are scUMs.

[Pete Pelegrin]

Quijote: Pete, I hope you got my last question, looks like I just got it in before you updated the blog.
----------------------

I answered it right after you asked it on the previous blog.

[Pete Pelegrin]

TheChampionUnderdog: Pete, seems like we got pretty banged up with little canada, robert mitchell, and chris cawthorn going down..... it would be a huge blow to the team not have them going into saturday.

im going to hold my predictions untill i know their statuses
----------------------------

No problem. Should have updates on the 3 later today.

[Pete Pelegrin]

FIUrulez: Pete, I read in your article that O'Darris D'Haiti is a walk-on. The other day you mentioned a walk-on from Braddock getting a lot of playing time. Overall, how big has the walk-on contribution been for FIU?
---------------

The Braddock walk-on is Jonathan Nieves who blocked a FG at Iowa.

MC has been able to find some players with the walk-on program. And that's not a surprise, because of all the high school talent in Florida that may not get an immediate shot with colleges. With the aggressiveness and work ethic of the FIU coaching staff, it would not be a shock if they develop a top-notch walk-on program.

[Pete Pelegrin]

Gold: Pete, quick question: Have you seen an increase in traffic for your blog as of late? Where do you stand in comparison to the other blogs at the Herald?
-----------------------------

Get a traffic cop, because traffic is definitely up on the GPP. Overall, on the daily rankings, the GPP ranks anywhere from No. 7 to No. 11 among the 48 MH blogs. Each day has a new ranking, but it's usually between 7 and 11.

[Pete Pelegrin]

FIUFan: I do disagree to some extent about the 'kill shots'; those blows knocked their QB out and probably left him a bit gun shy the rest of the game as well as dislodging their running back from the ball after he had made a substantial gain. Nothing like one of those shots to get the whole team jacked.
--------------------------

I was referring to the kill shots by the FIU DBs...the other kill shots on the QB are necessary, because it will make the QB gun shy. The ones by the DBs on RBs and WRs did not bring any NT player down. NT got an extra 10+ yards on a couple of those plays. They can't do that against a solid Middle Tennessee team.

[Pete Pelegrin]

FIUFPL: Pete, I would also like to know if you have noticed an increase in reads over time. And how do we rank overall.

Also, in your opinion, what game would we have to win to prove we are good.
----------------------------------

See my reply to Gold on the blog rankings above.

Beating Middle Tennessee would be a good start. However, if FIU were to beat Troy at Troy in 2 weeks, then we can say the Golden Panthers have a legitimate shot at a Sun Belt title this season.

But 1 GAME AT A TIME folks, as losers of 23 of 24 in the last 2 years, FIU is in NO position to be overlooking anyone.

[Pete Pelegrin]

Ultimate FIU Fan: Pete answer this: Why is Julian Reams on kick-offs with TY Hilton? I understand you may want two returners; however a combo of TY and Alonzo Phillips seems more logical. Speed + Speed equal a possible long run.
------------------------------

The coaching staff likes the power and burst that JR gets when he gets a running start on kickoffs.

Blue25 like Anthony Gaitor and Jeremy Dickens has been on some kick returns, but right now T.Y. and JR are the 1st teamers.

[blkpanther]

I do understand what y'all saying about the kill shots, but how did we force a lot of these fumbles? These shots i wont call the kill shots per say jar the ball loose. Sometimes you gotta put your hat on the ball.

What the D needs to do is have the D-line watch the ball and stop listening to the snap count, because they seem to be jumping offside.

[Pete Pelegrin]

FIUrulez: Pete, Sorry to ask another question. I know you're a busy guy but I was wondering if the Herald and you have explored a FIU podcast (video or just audio.)
------------------------------

The MH (David Quinones, the MH's video guy) did a video/audio cast of the 1st game at FIU Stadium. You can check it out at the MH's FIU page. He's the man with the camera. I'll try and get him out to more FIU games for audio/video.