FIU Golden Panthers Prowl

12 Days of FIU Christmas

Last December, we gave you 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at FIU. Well, here's another Christmas ballad that you can gather around the fireplace and sing at home to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas....

The 12 Days of FIU Christmas

On the 1st Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 2 FIU Olympians (Ronald Forbes & Sheri-Ann Brooks) and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 3 Yari Rosa All-American Honors, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 4th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 4 Missing Hoops Starters Back in January, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 5th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 6th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 6 Home Football Games in Future Skeds (sometimes 7), 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 7th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 7 All-Sun Belt Football Players, 6 Home Football Games, 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 8th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 8 Logos Into One, 7 All-Sun Belt Players, 6 Home Football Games, 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 9th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 9 Innings to Win & Close Out UM Series, 8 Logos Into One, 7 All-Sun Belt Players, 6 Home Football Games, 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 10th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 10 Miami MLS Players Plus a Goalie, 9 Innings to Win & Close Out UM Series, 8 Logos Into One, 7 All-Sun Belt Players, 6 Home Football Games, 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On- Campus Stadium.

On the 11th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 11 TY Goodbye Touchdowns, 10 Miami MLS Players, 9 Innings to Win & Close Out UM Series, 8 Logos Into One, 7 All-Sun Belt Players, 6 Home Football Games, 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

On the 12th Day of Christmas, FIU sent to you: 12 Months of Golden Dazzlers, 11 TY Goodbye Touchdowns, 10 Miami MLS Players, 9 Innings to Win & Close Out UM Series, 8 Logos Into One, 7 All-Sun Belt Players, 6 Home Football Games, 5---Foot---ball---Wins, 4 Missing Hoops Starters, 3 Yari All-Americans, 2 FIU Olympians and A Hilton Heave in a New On-Campus Stadium.

Merry Christmas to All the GPPers!

(Thanks to Sam Lewis & FIU for the pics)

Your 2008 FIU Football Moment

We'll start focusing in on your Golden Panthers recruiting story lines after this blog post. Here's a Wesley Carroll (right) update to tie FIUGPanther and you good people over until then. Spoke to friends in Mississippi, who spoke to WC last Friday and WC said he is not sure where he will play now in 2009.

Mississippi State officially released WC from his scholarship last Tuesday. And according to sources in Miss., new Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen is recruiting 2 to 3 QBs that would come in and challenge last year's starter Tyson Lee and redshirt freshman Chris Reif. Both sources and myself have gotten nowhere with WC's high school coach, George Smith. All parties getting no answers from GS or in my case -- smart answers. As the Recruiting World Turns continues....

Now to the point of this post, to find out what was your favorite moment from the 2008 FIU football season. Below are the nominees and you can vote at the end of the post. (Thanks to Sam Lewis and Alex J. Hernandez for FIU pics)

Aug. 30 - Hello, Goodbye (left): A highly-touted freshman by the name of T.Y. Hilton makes good on his signing day promise to MC: "Take it to the house, the first time I touch the ball". Hilton, who would later this season be dubbed "Goodbye!" by TheChampionUnderdog and GPP Nation, takes a punt return 74 yards for a touchdown leaving the Jayhawks in the dust.

Sept. 20 - Home Sweet Home: The Golden Panthers open the doors to their new Cage -- the new FIU Stadium (right). The Golden Panthers fall to South Florida 17-9, but the only on-campus stadium south of Orlando is open for business.

Sept. 27 - Holy Toledo!: No need to wait until December this time for the 1st win of the season. Behind a solid running game and a suffocating D that allows 3 points after the 1st quarter, FIU knocks off its first non-conference foe as a Division I team. Final score: FIU 35, Toledo 16.

Oct. 4 - North Texas, Paul McCall is Your Daddy: While T.Y. Hilton notches another 2 TDs -- one of them a dazzling catch-and-run that breaks 3 NT tackles, FIU quarterback Paul McCall (left) throws 4 TDs to tie the program record of Jamie Burke. That gives PM 7 TD passes vs. the Mean Green in the last 2 games.

Oct. 11 - Your Welcome, AOL: FIU gets its first win in the new FIU Stadium by handling Middle Tennessee 31-21. Besides the sharp FIU intro video of the Panther jumping buildings and landing on the MT helmet set to "Thunderstruck", Hilton's (right) new touchdown sound effect, the AOL sign-off, makes its debut: "Goodbye".

Nov. 8 - The Hilton Heave: A field goal festival for Dustin Rivest, who  sets the FIU single-game record with 5 FGs, to keep the Golden Panthers in the game against Arkansas State. But the late-game drama belongs to two FIU freshmen. Goodbye fumbles an end around, but stays with it and throws against his body a 38-yd TD pass that Junior Mertile "was waiting forever for the Money Ball to come down". FIU 22, ASU 21.

Nov. 29 - An Offensive Afternoon: No, I don't mean to send you good people back to your shrink's couch. Yes, it was an offensive ending losing 2 14-pt. 4th quarter leads to the Hooters, but the title of this game refers to the FIU O putting up 50 points in a 57-50 OT loss. Freshman RB Darriet Perry (left) shows that he can carry the load literally and figuratively, taking 3 FAUers for a 13-yd ride en route to 115 yds and 2 TDs. PM becomes 1st FIU QB to throw for 400 yds. Goodbye scores 3 TDs and GE puts up 138 yds receiving. The promise of a potent FIU O is unveiled.

Dec. 6 - The Beginning of the Turnaround: After a slow-starting 1st half, FIU turns it on in the 2nd half for a 27-3 season finale win over Western Kentucky. FIU matches the program-high of 5 wins in the season and rides a surge of good vibes into the off-season and recruiting.

Vote for your favorite 2008 moment below the Pawse.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

  Clawing Cancer: Senor Pelegrin... the following's from Manny Navarro's UM blog:

"From what FIU beat writer Pete Pelegrin tells me, UM is looking for a four-game deal in hoops, with three games at UM and one at FIU. That's doesn't sound like a stretch, considering UM has hosted 10 of the team's 12 meetings. But FIU athletic director Pete Garcia is looking for a basic home-and-home series with the Canes." Is that true?

GPP: Yes, except it is a 2 for 1 that UM is looking for and FIU only wants to play 1 for 1 and if they do 2 for 1s then UM has to pay FIU, which it does not want to do. Really, no big deal, FIU has to worry about getting healthy and winning some games when the "cavalry" as SR calls them, comes back in January.

Since Ultimate FIU Fan asked: FIU hoops injury updates from SR today: Tremayne Russell (hand), Alex Galindo (ankle) and J.C. Otero (knee) all should be back by the 1st week of January. Josue Soto (thumb) is expected back the 2nd week of Jan. Russell Hicks (foot) by the "last few games of the season". True story, I almost went on injured reserve covering FIU hoops at the UM arena. Stepped on a chair to shake hands with Max and Miri, who were on the second level above the press area, and my ankle twisted, but not enough to sideline me. Maybe the FIU hoops injury curse extends to off the court as well.

Pantera Dorada & esteban688: PD, good meeting you at the Dazzlers Calendar signing. . .Regarding A.J. Grant, he may or may not make it academically at FIU and the AFL is an option, but he has not signed with any AFL team and the league is in $$$$ trouble, so who knows.

gpantera: Pete Pelegrin, You're MIA. Haz algo para la patria. We're dying for football info. Heck, any FIU sports info will do at this point.

GPP: gpantera and la patria, was a little busy today doing a Marlon Bright story for Tuesday's paper....hope this best of FIU football 2008 helps for now and we'll get into a recruiting breakdown next to fill the FIU football withdrawal. MC will also be on here LIVE doing a Q & A with you good people. He's kind of busy right now doing this recruiting thing, but he called me the other day to assure you good people that he will do a LIVE blog on the GPP. Will post when we have a set day and time.

We've reached north of the border, ay! in our GPP WORLDWIDE READERSHIP. A GPP reader in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada believes that FIU & UM have better opponents to play than each other. More 80 percent of you think it's a shame the crosstown series is over. Maybe the GPP scorecard will cheer you up:

GPP WORLDWIDE READERSHIP SCORECARD:

The GPP is read in: 37 STATES: ALA, ARI, ARK, CA, COL, FLA, GA, HI, IDAHO, IL, IND, IOWA, KAN, KY, LA, MASS, MD, MICH, MIN, MISS, MO, NEB, NEV, NC, NJ, NY, OH, ORE, PA, RI, SC, TEN, TEX, VA, VER, WASH, WISC.

22 COUNTRIES: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Venezuela, Vietnam.

1 DISTRICT: Washington, D.C. and 1 TERRITORY: Puerto Rico.

Time to vote on your moment:

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T.Y. & Gaitor All-Sun Belt....MC Gets Hosed

The official All-Sun Belt team was released this morning and T.Y. Hilton (left, thanks to Sam Lewis for all FIU pics) and DB Anthony Gaitor (right) were 1st team selections. Goodbye received multiple honors as the Sun Belt's Freshman of the Year, 1st team kick returner and 1st team all-purpose. Goodbye also was named as 2nd team WR.

MC, however, did not win the Sun Belt Coach of the Year. Instead, Troy's Larry Blakeney, who always has his Trojans atop the SBC took the award. Sure thought going from 1-11 to 5-7 would merit a coach of the year honor, but guess not.

Other Golden Panthers honored on the All-Sun Belt teams were: C Brad Serini (left), DE Quentin Newman and P Carlos Munera on the 2nd team; LB Scott Bryant (right) and QB Paul McCall were honorable mention.

Here's the All-Sun Belt 1st team: Player of the Year: Tyrell Fenroy (ULL, Sr., RB #32); Offensive Player of the Year: Michael Desormeaux (ULL, Sr., QB, #6); Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Carrington (ASU, Jr., DE, #98); Newcomer of the Year: Levi Brown (Troy, Jr., QB, #12); Freshman of the Year: T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Fr., WR/KR/PR, #4); Coach of the Year: Larry Blakeney (Troy).

First Team All-Conference Offense: Michael Desormeaux (ULL, Sr., QB, #6); Reggie Arnold (ASU, Jr., RB, #2); Tyrell Fenroy (ULL, Sr., RB #32); Casey Fitzgerald (North Texas, Sr., WR, #87); Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, So., WR, #3); Zeek Zacharie (ULM, Sr., TE, #15); Matt Mandich (ASU, Sr., OL, #63); Brad Bustle (ULL, Jr., OL #75); Chris Fisher (ULL, Jr., OL #79); Chris Jamison (Troy, Sr., OT, #65); Dion Small (Troy, Sr., OT, #74).

First Team All-Conference Defense: Alex Carrington (ASU, Jr., DE, #98); Jervonte Jackson (FAU, R-Sr, DL, #92); Brandon Lang (Troy, Jr., DE, #91); Cameron Sheffield (Troy, Jr., DE, #90); Frantz Joseph (FAU, R-Sr., LB, #56); Cardia Jackson (ULM, Jr., LB, #51); Boris Lee (Troy, Jr., LB, #2); Corey Small (FAU, R-Sr., DB, #26); Anthony Gaitor (FIU, SO., DB, #7); Terence Moore (Troy, Sr., DB, #20); Sherrod Martin (Troy, Sr., DB, #6).

First Team All-Conference Specialists: Josh Arauco (ASU, Jr., K, #89); Truman Spencer (North Texas, Sr., P, #25); T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Fr., Return Specialist, #4); T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Fr., All Purpose, #4)

Golden Panther Pawse 12/4

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

More than 80 percent of you have spoken and looks like we'll keep the Pawse on a post by itself. Thanks for voting in the previous poll.

"The Hilton Heave" won our poll question for the best name for the T.Y. to Junior  Mertile winning TD pass vs. Arkansas State. I spoke to Greg Ellingson after practice on Wednesday and he does not have the nickname "Glue Hands" nor does anyone on the team call him that like someone said in a comment a couple of blogs ago. So I let him know some of the nicknames you good people have been kicking around and GE said to let you guys decide. So vote at the bottom of the Pawse.

LIVE GPP BLOG for the season finale against Western Kentucky begins at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday live from FIU Stadium.

To your questions:

Ultimate FIU Fan: Any more injuries for SR's team in the last minutes? We have two early SBC games against Ark St (away) on Dec 18th and S. Alabama (home) on Dec 20th. Pete how those two teams predicted to do this year? Why does so much attention go to the UM player who is ACC Rookie of the year or something like that, yet no attention, except for your mention in the Herald about TY Hilton possibly being NCAA Freshman of the year?

GPP: Freddy Asprilla is week to week with an Achilles' injury. Harley Fuller had a tooth knocked out vs. Florida Memorial, but should be back in for Buffalo.

South Alabama should be good again after going 26-7 last season. Would say vs. Arkansas State, FIU could get a win, but with the injured state of team right now not sure where and against who FIU would win.

Unfortunately, until FIU gets that signature win or goes bowling, the attention will not be there from the national media.

FIU_Blitz: Do you think is safe that we have Hilton playing both sports? Shouldn't he commit to one of them instead to prevent an injury?

GPP: I'm not so sure Goodbye is going to be playing hoops. He's a freshman. There is a lot on his plate for his first year of college and with the bad karma right now around FIU hoops, he would probably get hurt just stepping on the court.

JM: Can we get an update on how recruiting is going? any recruits gonna make a big impact next year like T.Y. did this year?

GPP: JM, will have a breakdown of FIU recruiting later this month.

FIU Fan For Life: Pete, in your best GUESTIMATION, will PG go after a top assistant at a legit program (NOT UM! No history in hoops!) or will he go the FAU route and take a known coach with PAST glory and maybe a checkered past to bring in a name?

GPP: Judging by PG's track record of hiring coaches, my guesstimation is that his priority will be someone who can recruit and not just nationally and internationally, but locally as well. Don't see PG getting a retread like they did in Boca Raton, unless that person is a heck of a recruiter.

fiu4ever: Are they going to continue with the stadium construction during this offseason? Do you know what the plans are?

GPP: Yes, as we speak the fieldhouse is going up. The outside walls of the FH have just about been put up and most of the plumbing is in. The concrete for the entire floor of the FH has also been laid down already. There is no off-season for FIU Stadium construction. There's a chance the building of the north side of the stadium could be sped up if Miami MLS happens.

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Shula Bowl Afterthoughts....Greed Is Still Good

Hopefully, you good people took Sunday to have a couple of adult beverages, took a walk in the park, spoke to a shrink, downed some antacid or spent a couple of hours pumping iron in the gym.

Yes, it was probably the toughest loss in the 6-year-going-to-be-7-year history of FIU football. The heck with the 7 OT North Texas loss in 2006, this Shula Bowl was for a chance at a bowl game for FIU. Clawing Cancer, yes, we need to revise that FIU loss list.

Hey, today is Dec. 1. Happy December and 24 days until Christmas....Last year on Dec. 1, FIU was 0-11. A 4-7 record is an improvement.

But I know, I know, I know after the first 9 games of the season, all you good people learned you were related to Gordon Gekko (right). Nothing wrong with that. Heck, I wanted to go bowling too and in Hawaii.

Although the Shula Bowl was lost, all was not lost for your Golden Panthers:

If you were at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday, then you saw what might be the best offense in the Sun Belt next season and this offense was wearing white with blue and gold. And NOT red, white and blue.

FIU has a No. 1 QB and his name is no longer Paul Younger or Wayne McCall. FIU's starting QB is Paul McCall (400 yards, 4 TDs). FIU discovered a No. 1 RB in Darriet Perry (left) (115 yds, 2 TDs) -- Did you see the 13-yard run where he was dragging 3 FAU tacklers on his back to pick up an extra 6 yards?

FIU has 2 No. 1 receivers in T.Y. Hilton and Greg Ellingson (237 yards combined and 4 TDs). Besides outrunning everyone on the field, Goodbye also showed he can break tackles on his 34-yd catch and run TD. The other FIU WRs also contributed: Jason Frierson, who is developing the last few games. Junior Mertile, who I would like to see him break one just to see how fast he is. The O-line did a nice job too, opening holes for DP and allowing just 1 sack against an experienced FAU D.

If these are the kinds of recruits MC is bringing in, then the future is quite bright for FIU. Remember, there are a bunch of defensive freshmen that are either still developing physically or redshirting this season. Add another 25 signees in February and this team's talent keeps growing.

During camp we thought Blue25's impact would come as a WR, but did we ever think he would have the impact he's had on STs. Blue25 blocked a punt and has been a ST maven with his open field tackling on punt returns. He did both vs. FAU. O' Darris D' Haiti also blocked a punt on Saturday -- his 2nd of the season after getting one at North Texas.

And while NO loss is a good loss (If you ain't first, you're last) and I'm sure I'll hear it from you good people who don't want to hear this: But FIU will learn from this game. I'm NOT calling this a good loss, because there is no such thing. But whenever they're faced with this situation to close a game down the road -- and your Golden Panthers will be in this situation again, because this program is headed in the right direction -- FIU will know what to do and if it forgets, just say "Shula Bowl 2008" or "3-Minute Debacle" and that's all the motivation the Golden Panthers will need.

Of course, there were aspects of Saturday's game that FIU needs to work on:

I wrote on the GPP last week that FIU needed to get constant pressure and sacks on Rusty Smith in order to get him off his game. The Golden Panthers did not do that. Thanks to the Owls WRs dropsies, RS did not get going until the 4th qtr when all of the sudden FAU WRs learned how to catch the ball. The Owls had the same issue last week against Arkansas State where they dropped 12 passes.

What I noticed from Saturday's game was that FIU was always a second or two late to crushing RS. This was because of 2 things: strength and speed. FIU is not quick enough or strong enough yet to blow by or through other O-lines. I counted at least 4 times in the 4th qtr when an FIU defender was closing in on RS, but just did not get there on time. Another year of experience and growth in Rod Moore's offseason workout program and the Golden Panthers will get there.

Read most of your comments on the FIU D in this past game and I don't care what D scheme you want to use, you're not going to stop Smith, the Sun Belt's Offensive Player of the Year and best QB, without your starting safeties and without consistent pressure and sacks. Through no fault of the players playing safety Saturday, FIU had 2 guys playing safety that are NOT safeties, but rather cornerbacks. RS is no dummy. He figured that out quickly. FAU couldn't take advantage earlier, because the Owls WRs couldn't catch a cold for the first 3 qtrs. You could make an argument that this is where the previous FIU coaching staff's recruiting prowess was on display. Right now, FIU has no depth and that was exposed in this game.

Not a fan of using that shotgun on third and short or at the 1-yard line like on Sat. in the drive that resulted in a FG to give FIU a 16-14 lead before halftime. DP was averaging 5 yards a carry at that point in the game....FAU could not stop him (still love that 13-yd run with 3 FAU guys on DP's back)....Make FAU stop him from 1-yard out.

I'm with all of you on that there is no excuse to miss PATs. Kickers have one duty -- to kick. Will say that Dustin Rivest has improved greatly from last season. For the record, only 1 of the 2 PATs was missed in Sat.'s game. The first one. On the second PAT the snap was mishandled so the kick never got off. Still, missing PATs has no excuse, but there was more to Saturday's loss than just the extra point. FIU's O,D and ST all made enough mistakes to help out FAU.

This Saturday we're going to see how FIU handles adversity after this disheartening loss. Will the Golden Panthers curl up in the fetal position and become the J-E-T-S (Just End The Season) or do the Golden Panthers come out roaring, score 50 points and become Kings of the Hilltoppers and this time close the deal with a W into the offseason?

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Golden Panther Pawse 12/1

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

Congrats to the FIU volleyball ladies for reaching the NCAA Tournament. FIU opens against Colorado State in Gainesville and then gets the Florida/FAMU winner.

Throw some salt over SR's left shoulder, get him some Lucky Charms or get him a rabbit's foot, because got word a little while ago that center Russell Hicks will miss 8-10 weeks with a slightly fractured foot that occurred in last Friday's practice in Los Angeles before the UCLA game.

Will have Shula Bowl thoughts right after this Pawse and your WIN A GPP BLOG leaderboard is updated below the Q&A. Scores for FIU/Western Kentucky have to be in by 6:59 p.m. GPP Time on Saturday.

LIVE GPP BLOG for the season finale vs. WK begins around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday from FIU Stadium where I've never had a problem with the wireless. Unlike last week's debacle at DS.

pantera rosada: Can we settle Greg Ellingson's nickname as "Velcro" (right)??

GPP: Will have to put that and other suggestions up for a vote, because GE is surely developing into one of FIU's top receivers. GE had his first 100-yard game on Saturday with 138 yards. I'm kind of partial to GE's nickname being "Spiderman" because of his web-like hands and the way he went over the ULM defender to make that TD catch. cobracommandr has volunteered the nickname "Stick-Um" (below, right being used by Lester Hayes). Let's get some more GE nickname candidates and we'll put a poll together.

SouthPaw: Hey Pete, just want to make sure you don't confuse me with the loser that posted the false rumor about T.Y. I posted "we're going to win this one" after FAU tied the game at 36. Obviously, I'm not a college football expert with that prediction!

GPP: I never once thought it was you, SouthPaw. Remember, I get everyone's e-mails when they post and this poster was new to the GPP. And considering the good contacts I have with the FIU football program, this poster never had a chance with his TALL TALE.

FIUJM: What's the deal with kickoff/punt returns? I know MC let Hilton do kickoff returns at end of the game but what about punt returns?

GPP: Goodbye (hammy) was not 100 percent going into the FAU game so the coaching staff was being cautious with him.

NYCFIUFan: Do you expect or have you heard of any voluntary turnover in the coaching staff this upcoming year?

GPP: No changes expected. Last year, OC James Coley was kind of expected to go to Florida State after they named his close friend, Jimbo Fisher the HC in-waiting when Bobby Bowden steps down.

Baltimorepanther: How many records were broken or established yesterday by FIU?

GPP: Goodbye became the single-season receiving yardage leader passing Cory McKinney's 890 yards of 2002. Paul McCall (left) became the 1st FIU QB to throw for 400 yards in a game. Darriet Perry became the first FIU freshman running back to run for 100 or more yards. T.Y.'s 3 TDs left him 2 TDs shy of the FIU season record of 12 set by former RB Rashod Smith in 2004.

Quijote: Can you comment on FIUDad's input?

GPP: FIU is no longer bowl eligible with Saturday's loss. You need at least 6 wins and the most FIU (4-7) can get is 5. Here you go Quijote................. 

WIN A GPP BLOG or (2nd place -- 2008 FIU football media guide) Leaderboard (through 11 games): Down to 5 people for the GPP Blog and up to 12 people could possibly win the media guide.

9-2: Baltimorepanther (237); Gold (245).

8-3: outofthecage88 (228); Ultimate FIU Fan (245); FIUChris (268); FIU Fanatic (268).

7-4: Puma (212); Fomenter (230); Clawing Cancer (231); FIU Voice (234); NYCFIUFan (252); fiufan751 (255); MIA/NY Josh (311).

6-5: FIU 0406 (249); FIUJM (254); TheChampionUnderdog (267); SouthPaw (290).

5-6: Max (262); gpantera (310).

GPP: 8-3, 225

 

Golden Panther Trap?

MC is not going to go all Wannstedtian on the Golden Panthers and place lobster or mouse traps at each player's locker, but the FIU coach has said this week that his team's sole focus is on ULM (like several other Sun Belt teams this season, the former Louisiana-Monroe is now just going by ULM).

We've reached a point in the young 6-year history of FIU football, that the Golden Panthers are the team faced with a trap game and not the other way around where FIU has been the trap for other teams. With the Hooters on deck at Dolphin Stadium for the 7th Don Shula Bowl, sure it would be natural for FIU to take a peek at Florida Atlantic.

The Warhawks arrive at FIU Stadium on Saturday with ABSOLUTELY nothing to lose. They are 3-8 and going nowhere, but to their spring semester classes after Saturday's game. Plus, it could be the final game for ULM head coach Charlie Weatherbie, who might get fired after the FIU game so you know he'll pull out all the stops to go out a winner.

Timeout here: Paul Letlow, who covers ULM for the The Newsstar newspaper, has a pretty funny entry in  his blog about CW and his losses. Paul has entitled it: "Charlie Weatherbie's Greatest ULM losses Volume IV" Click here  Apparently, CW was more than a one-hit wonder? One of those losses was the 31-29 game to FIU in 2005 in which former FIU QB Josh Padrick (right) threw 3 TD passes for FIU's 1st Sun Belt win.

Back to the ULM/FIU game, FIU must get off to a fast start to stomp out any hope ULM may have of an upset (FIU is a 6.5 favorite). The longer ULM hangs around in this game, the more chance for an upset and ending FIU's bowl hopes.

FIU needs to convert red zone opportunities into TDs and not FGs. Dustin Rivest and a miraculous TD pass saved the Golden Panthers last time out.

Also, ULM QB Kinsmon Lancaster, who left last week's game at Ole Miss with an injury, will play and he's another of those mobile Sun Belt QBs that have given FIU defenses fits in the past.

ULM may be 3-8, but they are not slouches having beaten Troy and lost to MT by 3, FAU by 1 and Arkansas by 1. ULM is averaging 29.8 points in Sun Belt games this season. The good news for FIU is that ULM allows 31.1 points in SBC games.

So you see the potential trap FIU could be walking into?

Still, for the most part FIU has been prepared this season and MC has made his team aware of the danger of ULM.

When asked after Tuesday's practice if there's a chance his team could be looking past ULM, MC said: "We're growing. We're doing some great things, but we're nowhere near that point where we can look past. We can't look past our 6:25 p.m. class. We have to take those baby steps and keep growing and growing -- and we are. We're focused.''

GPP thinks: FIU 27, ULM 23

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

The FIU volleyball ladies won their opening match of the Sun Belt tournament earlier this  afternoon by defeating South Alabama 3-1. The Golden Panthers struggled early losing one set, but got it going in the 3rd and 4th sets.

FIU plays New Orleans in a semifinal on Friday at 5 p.m. at FIU Arena.

We'll have a LIVE GPP BLOG from FIU Stadium on Saturday night for the ULM/FIU game.

Blog kickoff is at 6:45 p.m. Game kickoff is 7 p.m. WIN A GPP BLOG deadline for scores is 6:59 p.m. GPP Time.

T.Y. ON TV....Two television features on T.Y. Hilton air this weekend on local TV. Channel 10 will say hello to "Goodbye" at 7:20 p.m. on their Saturday sports show.  Of course, most FIU fans will be at FIU Stadium during this time. If you miss Ch. 10's piece, then check out Channel 4 at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night for their hello to "Goodbye". That airs during Ch. 4's Sunday night sports show.

FIU Volleyball Sweeps

No, not just yet in the Sun Belt Tournament, which begins at noon on Thursday against South Alabama, but the Golden Panthers did sweep the highest honors of the Sun Belt Conference on Wednesday.

FIU took home the Sun Belt Player of the Year, Sun Belt Coach of the Year and Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year awards.

Two-time and soon to be 3-time All-American Yarimar Rosa won the SBC Player of the Year to go along with the 4 billion other awards she has already won this year. YR also made 1st team All-Sun Belt.

You can check out a story on YR in the Miami Herald on Thursday.

FIU coach Danijela Tomic earned the SBC Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Panthers to a 26-5 record and the Sun Belt championship. That's DT's 2nd Coach of the Year award in the last 3 years.

Isadora Rangel won the Sun Belt's Newcomer of the Year Award and made 2nd team along with Natalia Valentin.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

We'll get back to the gridiron on the next post. T.Y. Hilton will be featured in a Channel 10 story that will air either this Saturday at 7 p.m. or Sunday at 11:30 p.m. The Ch. 10 crew was at FIU on Wednesday interviewing Goodbye, MC and Paul McCall for the story and the Ch. 10 sports guy is supposed to e-mail me when the piece will air.

FIU hoops is off to a nice 2-0 start before they play at Washington on Thursday night. On Wednesday, center Russell Hicks was named a preseason All-American by collegeinsider.com

We could be looking at a trap game for your Golden Panthers this Saturday against ULM. It's the last game of the season for the Warhawks. Their coach is on the burning seat -- not hot seat -- and they have nothing to lose since they are 3-8 on the season and going nowhere. So what are your thoughts going into Saturday's crucial game:

Online Surveys & Market Research

Spring Time Pancakes With Cedric Mack

Before we get into Louisiana-Monroe week, let's take a little timeout to catch up with one of FIU's big signees from the 2008 recruiting class: Cedric Mack.

As you well know, CM, who is currently enrolled at FIU and taking classes toward his criminal justice major, has not seen the field this season, because of some NCAA red tape. We'll let CM tell you more about that and why CM could be pitching IHOP when he is finished with college football.

GPP: You were a prized JUCO recruit out of El Camino JC that several major college programs were after. What made you decide to come play football at FIU?

CM: I wanted to come back home after being away in California for 2 years and obviously as you can tell by this season FIU is an up-and-coming program. I really like this place. My cousin [former FIU DB] Jermell Weaver played here. I know [El Monstruo] Antwan Barnes, [former FIU RB] Ben West all them boys. I'm a homeboy here. I wanted to come and be a part of starting a tradition here.

GPP: Besides FIU, what were some of the schools that pursued you the most?

CM: LSU, Kansas State, Arizona, Kentucky, South Florida. I had full offers and I could have signed, but I chose to come back home, because I wanted to give my parents an opportunity to see me play again. In high school they were at all of my games -- home or away. But we didn't really have the money for them to commute to California and back home again.

GPP: What has been holding you up from getting on the field with FIU?

CM: I have to get these 2 transcripts from these 2 schools that I went to in California and once I do the NCAA will clear me and I'll be ready for next season. I'm already an FIU student and I'm taking classes and everything. I should be ready to go for spring practice. The last I heard from the NCAA was that as long as I get the transcripts I'll be cleared. I'm working on that ASAP. I'm trying to get them in the next few weeks. Actually, they should be coming in next week. I definitely will be there for spring ball.

GPP: So will you have 1 or 2 years to play at FIU?

CM: I'll be a senior academically next year, but I'm working on making this year a redshirt year for me. So I could still be eligible for 2 years.

GPP: I've seen you at the 3 FIU home games this season at the new stadium. What do you think of the 2008 Golden Panthers and what do you think of FIU Stadium?

CM: There is so much improvement with the team. They are getting better as they go. They are a solid group. There is a little room for progress, but there's always room for progress. The stadium and the FIU fans are crazy. I love that energy. I picture myself being on that field and looking up at the crowd and seeing my homeboys cheering for me.

GPP: What are you at right now weight-wise and where do you want to be come spring practice?

CM: I'm 6-4 and 340 pounds right now, but I plan on getting to 300 by March, because I've been training even though I'm not playing. I run a 4.9, 40. I play left guard, but I can play left tackle, right guard, right tackle. I just want to play.

GPP: Out of the blue I've been calling you Mount Mack on my blog. What other names have you heard people call you?

CM: Mount Mack is just another nickname added on to all the other nicknames that people have given me like Big Mac and Yum-Yum IHOP, because they say I eat up defensive linemen like pancakes.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

In case you missed it when it was posted in the comments section of the last blog, FIU took up the GPP's suggestion to start an FIU fan experience site for all your accolades, comments or concerns regarding FIU sporting events. You can click: FIU Fan Experience Site and let the FIU athletic department know how they are doing.

If you're a current FIU student you can get into the Don Shula Bowl FIU/FAU game for FREE. FIU is providing free tickets and bus rides to Dolphin Stadium to current FIU students.

Call 305-FIU-GAME for tickets and more information. The deadline is next Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 12 p.m.  NYCFIUFan: still waiting to hear about FIU alumni.

We'll go LIVE BLOGGING again from FIU Stadium this Saturday for the FIU/ULM game. For our GPP out-of-towners and those in-towners with internet capabilities at the stadium or at home, we'll be on-line around 6:45 p.m.  Deadline for scores for the FIU/ULM game for the WIN A GPP BLOG or FIU football media guide contest is at 6:59 p.m. GPP Time this Saturday.

The Hilton Heave has the lead in our name "The T.Y./Jr. Play" poll with 38% percent of the vote. The Money Ball is second with 29%. The voting continues as the poll is still open on the previous blog.

FIU Hoops Good; Rosenberg 4 Prez; Name The T.Y./Jr. Play

The Golden Panthers hoops squad showed some resiliency in their season opener against Eastern Kentucky.

After taking a brief lead 4 minutes into the game, FIU trailed for the next 35 minutes until that last minute comeback and this was done with 3/5ths of the starting lineup out with injuries.

However, good sign to see the newest players making an instant impact. Shooting guard Michael Dominguez (above, right) was sharp from 3-point land, especially in the 2nd half when he drained 4 3's to help FIU comeback. Also, you could tell MD has a pretty good basketball IQ with the way he moved around the court without the ball.

Freddy Asprilla was as advertised under the basket using his almost 300 pounds to push around the Colonels and drop in 13 points and grab 11 boards.

Point guard Nick Taylor (left), noticeably stronger thanks to an off-season strength program at FIU, fearlessly drove to the basket and had good control of the offense.

While FIU is not exactly opening the season with the likes of North Carolina or Duke, the Golden Panthers need to get as many wins as possible against teams like EK and Monday's opponent -- Monmouth. If the reserves make this kind of first impression, it will be interesting to see what FIU can do when everyone is healthy and on the court.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

Hate to see President Maidique (right) step down. The man built FIU and is a  tremendous supporter of FIU athletics. FIU was lucky to have a guy like MM running the show for so long. Always very courteous and cooperative whether it was an informal conversation or an interview.

FIU needs the next president to have MM's same kind of vision for the university and the same kind of passion for FIU sports.

Mark Rosenberg (left) is that guy and FIU would be wise to select Mr. Rosenberg as the next FIU president.

Memo to FIU: No need for a zillion dollar national search, your next prez (Rosenberg) is in your backyard after moving down from Tallahassee. Bring him on board.

I'm Pete Pelegrin and I approve this message.

Covered that Florida Atlantic/Louisiana game at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday for a Baton Rouge newspaper and must say the Hooters have a scary-good offense. And believe it or not, FAU is one of 4 teams that can still win the Sun Belt title OUTRIGHT and go to the New Orleans Bowl.

Because of losses to UL and Troy earlier this season, FIU cannot win the Sun Belt outright, but still has a slim chance to go to New Orleans. In a strange, but true scenario -- FIU can end up in the New Orleans Bowl, but not as the outright Sun Belt champ. Here's how: let's say Troy and FIU finished tied for 1st in the Sun Belt AND The Pizza Bowl in BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA cannot fill one of its spots, then Troy would most certainly go play there in their home state and leave the Sun Belt spot open in the New Orleans Bowl for the Golden Panthers.

The best FIU can be is a co-champion of the Sun Belt. Since UL and Troy still play each other, both those teams cannot lose all their remaining games. FIU can also still end up in the St. Pete Bowl, Independence Bowl or the Pizza Bowl. Confused yet????

Of course, all this depends on FIU finishing 7-5, because 6-6 won't do it.

FAU, UL, Troy and Arkansas State all can still win the SBC, because FAU (has a W vs. UL) and ASU still plays Troy. So if FAU ends in a tie with UL for 1st, then FAU repeats. If ASU ends in a tie with Troy, but beats the Trojans to finish the season then ASU is SBC champ. FAU plays at ASU this coming Saturday so either FAU or ASU will be eliminated from the contending for the Sun Belt title by Sunday.

Our newest GPP reader, px asked about the Sun Belt 3-way tiebreaking rule. Here's how it works now --  regardless of head-to-head results: The new rule is if 3 Sun Belt teams finish tied for 1st place at the end of the regular season, then all 3 will be named co-Sun Belt champions and the New Orleans Bowl gets to choose which one of the 3 teams plays in the N.O. Bowl -- which most likely means the Ragin' Cajuns, Troy or Arkansas State, because those 3 teams would bring more fans to the game than an FAU or FIU.

The new rule is awful, but the New Orleans Bowl is looking for who will bring the most $$$$ to the Big Easy. Good thing for the 3 other Sun Belt bowl tie-ins.

The "GPP's Executive Committee for Name The T.Y./Junior Play" has narrowed down its choices for what is currently the most memorable play in FIU football's 6+year history. You vote, we decide and here are the choices:

Online Surveys & Market Research

Top 7 Wins In FIU Football History

Since FIU has a bye this week, thought about taking the opportunity to rank FIU's top 7 wins in program history. The Golden Panthers turn 7 years old after this season is complete, so 7 sounds like an appropriate number.

You can play along on-line at home or at work and tell us your rankings and then vote at the end of this post for what you think is the greatest win in FIU football history. Also, we're still taking suggestions for naming T.Y. & Junior's game-winning play on Saturday. Got some names in the last post, but will keep the suggestion box open until the end of the week.

Top 7 FIU Wins  

7. FIU 38, Western Kentucky 35 (2005) 

Hilltoppers tie the game 35-35 with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter. FIU QB Josh Padrick completes passes of 28 yards and 21 yards to Chandler Williams to get the Golden Panthers down to the WKU 18. With :02 left in the game, kicker Adam Moss (left) -- who received a scholarship from FIU after hitting former coach Don Strock's car with field goals at the parking lot of American Heritage High -- nails a 36-yard field goal to win it.   

6. FIU 52, Florida Atlantic 6 (2005)

They say a rivalry only becomes a rivalry when both teams win. After 3 tries, the Golden Panthers finally beat the Owls and in record-breaking fashion. FIU returns 4 interceptions for touchdowns to tie an NCAA record. Keyonvis Bouie, Lionell Singleton, Nick Turnbull and Marshall McDuffie all get pick 6s to wallop FAU.

5. FIU 38, North Texas 19 (2007)

The Golden Panthers were not going to let the grand Orange Bowl go out a loser in the final college football game played at the historic stadium. Behind an aggressive FIU D led by Audric Adger's 4 sacks and an opportunistic offense with Paul McCall's 3 touchdown passes, the Golden Panthers sent the Orange Bowl out a winner and ended what was then the nation's longest losing streak at 23 games. FIU also gave new head coach Mario Cristobal (right) his first college win.

4. FIU 22, Youngstown State 16 (2004)

The first road win in program history saw FIU's backup QB do an impersonation of his head coach, a former Miami Dolphins backup QB. With the Golden Panthers struggling on offense and down 16-3 at halftime, former FIU coach Don Strock brings backup QB David Tabor -- FIU's 1st ever recruit -- into the game. Tabor completes 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards and 3 TDs in the second half to rally FIU to a season opening win.

3. FIU 31, Louisiana-Monroe 29 (2005)

The game that showed FIU could play Division I football by getting its first win against a Division I opponent. On the road against the Indians (ULM is now known as the Warhawks), the Golden Panthers fell behind 6-0 in the first quarter, but never trailed after that and at one point built a 24-9 lead. Former FIU safety Nick Turnbull (left) returned a fumble 73 yards for a touchdown to extend the FIU lead to 14-6 in the 2nd quarter.

2. FIU 27, St. Peter's 3 (2002)

The game that started it all. For years, FIU students wanted a college football team and they finally got one on August 29, 2002. Before a Sun Sports TV audience and a sold out FIU Stadium, the Golden Panthers rolled by scoring 27 points in the first half. Former FB Jerrid Lundstedt caught a 5-yard TD pass from Jamie Burke (right)  with 8:18 left in the 1st quarter for the first-ever FIU touchdown. Burke would score the 2nd FIU TD on this 6-yard touchdown run (right) later in the 1st quarter.

1. FIU 22, Arkansas State 21 (2008)

A little anti-climactic since this was the subject of the previous blog. But again, FIU's ability to overcome a 9-point 4th quarter deficit after going 8 times deep into ASU territory and not being able to score one touchdown. Especially, after falling apart when adversity struck the previous 2 weeks vs. Troy and Louisiana. Also, the win kept FIU's chances at its first-ever bowl game alive and produced probably the most memorable play in FIU history, which we have yet to give a proper name to. "The Hilton Heave", "The Goodbye Money Ball" or whatever name we vote on was just an amazing play by probably the best freshman in FIU history.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

So what did you think? You can re-rank these wins or add another by posting a comment. Vote on the greatest win in FIU history below the Pawse.

Me (no, not me personally, some GPP reader named Me) posted on the previous blog the link to voting for T.Y. Hilton for Freshman of the Year on CBSsportsline. CBS has narrowed down their choices for Freshman of the Year to 5 players. Click on Vote T.Y. for Freshman of the Year

WIN A GPP BLOG or (2nd place -- 2008 FIU football media guide) Leaderboard (through 9 games):

9-0 (points differential)

Baltimorepanther (164).

8-1

FIUChris (176); Gold (184); Ultimate FIU Fan (189).

7-2

FIUVoice (145); Puma (153); NYCFIUFan (173); FIU Fanatic (188).

6-3

Clawing Cancer (160), outofthecage88 (160); Fomenter (163); FIU0406 (180); FIUJM (181), Gazi (181); TheChampionUnderdog (187); SouthPaw (216); FIUBlueandGold (221).

5-4

fiufan751 (194); Max (204); MIA/NY Josh (219); U24/7 (226); gpantera (237); CrazyCane (287).

GPP 7-2, 180.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Greatest Win In FIU Football History & Name The Play

The FIU football program has only been around for 6 years going on 7 at the end of this season, but Saturday's come from behind 22-21 win over Arkansas State is the greatest win in the history of the program for several reasons:

First time in FIU history in which the Golden Panthers were able to overcome a deficit of 9 points or more in the 4th quarter and win the game.

FIU overcame adversity. Until the final TD, FIU was not able to score a TD the first 8 times it was deep in Red Wolves territory on Saturday. Thanks to Dustin Rivest's leg FIU got 15 points. FIU was not able to respond when challenged against Troy and Louisiana in the past 2 games. The Golden Panthers delivered the knockout punch against ASU.

Like it has for most of the season, the FIU D was clutch coming up with 3 straight stops on ASU possessions in the 4th quarter after ASU built a 21-12 lead and then Franklin Brown intercepting Corey Leonard at the FIU 35. ASU kicker Josh Arauco is deadly and a few more yards and we might talking about a 24-22 loss.

The win salvaged any chance FIU has at reaching its first bowl game. The Golden Panthers will likely not win the Sun Belt, because they are 2 games back of UL and do not have the tiebreaker since they lost to the Cajuns. FIU has to run the table and finish 7-5 to get into a bowl. Nothing against the SBC, but a 6-6 record for a SBC team will not get it into a bowl game. FIU is also 1 game back of Troy and does not hold the tiebreaker there since it lost to the Trojans.

The final reason Saturday's win was the greatest in FIU history was the way the Golden Panthers pulled it out. On a botched trick play that will go down in FIU football lore. As of Sunday afternoon, FIU was trying to get the play on ESPN as one of Sportscenter's top 10 plays of the week.

If you have not seen the play do yourself a favor and go to fiusports.com and click on the game recap where there is a video of The Play....

T.Y. Hilton and Paul McCall fumbled the exchange on an end around. Goodbye went to scoop the ball about 5 yards backward while PM threw a block. Goodbye then goes left with the ball when he told me he was supposed to go right. The entire ASU defense hones in on Goodbye while Junior Mertile (left) is wide open 30 yards downfield. The closest ASU defender was about 25 yards from Mertile. Goodbye lobbed the ball downfield, Mertile waited forever for it to come down, saying to himself "This is the money ball. This is the money ball." and snared it for the winning touchdown with 2:04 left in the game.

You've heard in NFL lore of Franco Harris's "The Immaculate Reception", Dwight Clark's "The Catch" (right) and the Tennessee Titans' "The Music City Miracle", well now it's your turn to name the T.Y./Junior TD play.

Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started: "The Hilton Heave",  "The Goodbye Money Ball".

We'll keep this suggestion box open for naming the play for about 4 or 5 days and then we'll vote on the top selections. After giving T.Y. his "Goodbye" nickname, can TheChampionUnderdog name the play too or do you have a better name for the play?  Post it on here.

Will have the latest WIN A GPP BLOG leaderboard on here Monday.

Thanks to Sam Lewis for the FIU game photos.

FIU/Arkansas State LIVE GAME BLOG

Greetings from FIU Stadium. If you're here, drop on by the open-air press box on the east side of the stadium and say hello. Like Bob Uecker, I'm in the front row. Speaking about Uecker and baseball, congrats to Puma for being the first to get the Bull Durham reference in the previous FIU football post.

If you're somewhere else in the world, welcome to the LIVE GPP BLOG of FIU/Arkansas State as your Golden Panthers try to get back on the winning side with the first of 4 home games to close out the season and by possibly winning all 4 go bowling.

But 1 at a time as we're getting ready to kickoff to the LIVE BLOG and the game, which is about 15 minutes away....

Hello, Goodbye

With his 295 all-purpose yards against Louisiana last Saturday, FIU freshman receiver/kick return sensation T.Y. Hilton now leads the nation in all-purpose yards with 1,536 all-purpose yards -- an average of 192 all-purpose yards per game.

T.Y. Goodbye took the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD last week and had 192 yards in kick returns to go with 96 yards receiving. He also leads the Golden Panthers with 6 TDs.

Asked Hilton if he knew he lead the country in all-purpose yards and the freshman said: "Some times I go on ESPN.com. When I saw it the other night, I was like, 'Oh'. I was kind of surprised."

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

Will have the FIU/Arkansas State preview and GPP prediction on here on Friday.

Will have a LIVE GPP BLOG from Saturday's game and FIU may not be better than Louisiana in football this season, but the FIU wireless beats the UL wireless every day of the week and twice on Sunday. So the GPP should be logged on around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday from FIU Stadium.

Last chance to get FIU/ASU scores in for the WIN A GPP BLOG contest is Saturday at 6:59 p.m. GPP time.

Time for another GPP Poll Question:

Online Surveys & Market Research

Greed Is Good...But A Little Perspective

Not a good weekend in the Louisiana bayou for your Golden Panthers and for the GPP, for that matter.

For the second consecutive game, FIU beat itself, but unfortunately in the standings the 2 opponents (Troy, UL) get credit for the wins. We'll get to the Ragin' Cajuns game review in a second, but first, apologies for going off cyberspace during halftime of Saturday's LIVE GPP blog.

Nicest people you'll ever meet in a press box are the UL folks, but the worst wireless service also resides in the UL press box. Wasn't even able to file my FIU notes or game story until after the game and that was from inside the Golden Panthers locker room where the wireless works perfectly.

Had plenty of time to reflect on last Saturday's game driving 2 hours through the bayou on Sunday morning from Lafayette to New Orleans. And had to keep the mind active, because forgot about the daylight savings time change and woke up at 3 a.m. thinking it was 4 to catch a 7 a.m. flight out of N.O. Didn't realize I was 2 hours early for the flight until I saw the clock inside Hertz. So you see your Golden Panthers weren't the only ones from Miami that were lost in Louisiana.

Saturday's game actually had a nice start with T.Y. taking the opening kickoff 90 yards for 6 ("1st time that happened in FIU history" -- think we'll be writing the previous phrase often when it comes to T.Y.). Tried to get the UL people to play "Goodbye" after the TD, but they told me to have some more Popeye's gourmet fried chicken and jambalaya (1st time trying either one -- good stuff on both).

FIU kept Tyrell Fenroy underwraps, but again the lack of QB pressure hurt the Golden Panthers and with a mobile QB like Michael Desormeaux you have to take him down when you get the chance. Saw too many times when FIU looked to have a sack and then MD escaped for a 6 or 7-yard run. Lots of missed tackles and on O, too many dropped passes.

Of course, those were just some of FIU's troubles on Sat. The Golden Panthers fell 4 penalties shy of the team record of 17 set against Maine in 2003. Then you have the 2 crucial turnovers in that can-we-hit-the-game-reset-button-2nd quarter.

Although this FIU team is much improved from 2007, the Golden Panthers are not good enough to overcome those self-inflicted mistakes. They are not (insert name of 2008 National Champ here) that can screw up some and still come back and win. FIU doesn't have all the playmakers yet on either side of the ball to mess around and snare a win at the end of the game.

Unlike some that have posted that FIU quit in the second quarter, I don't find that to be the case. The Golden Panthers were playing hard until the end of the game. They are just an inexperienced and not talented enough bunch to know what to do when things go like a snowball into hell like they did in the 2nd quarter.

As for all the penalties, there is no excuse for that. That's a matter of discipline and I think we can all agree that one thing the new coaching staff has brought is discipline. Except for this game in which discipline did not have a seat aboard the FIU plane.

Here's a breakdown of the 13 penalties: 3 false starts, 3 offsides, 3 personal fouls, 2 holding, 1 unsportsmanlike, 1 illegal block. All this needs to be cleaned up.

There are 4 games left (3 Sun Belt games, with Western Kentucky being in transition to the SBC that game does not count toward conference standings). All are at home, Dolphin Stadium is close enough to FIU.

Some FIU fans are antsy with the 2 straight losses, but remember this was a 1-23 team the last 2 years. We've seen FIU triple its win output from last year. It's understandable where you good people are coming from: win 3 games and it's time to get greedy. And in this case: greed is good.

However, you only need one hand to count the number of people who honestly believed FIU would be in contention for the SBC title this season.

On the remaining sked, first up, is a tough Arkansas State this Saturday. I thought in the preseason the Red Wolves would be among the favorites in the SBC and they have not disappointed. FIU showed signs of a breakout last year at ASU taking the game until the final kickoff.

The Golden Panthers need to find that identity they had in their 3-game win streak. The last 4 games are all winnable and a 7-5 finish is possible, but like the old saying: 1 at a time. This is only year 2 of re-building the Golden Panthers.

In the wacky Sun Belt anything can happen. Look at Louisiana-Monroe stunning Troy on Saturday and giving the Cajuns sole possession of 1st place in the Sun Belt. Heck, FIU was a total of 2 quarters (3rd qtr at Troy and 2nd qtr at UL) away from being in UL's position right now....The thought of FIU at 4-0 in SBC in November, but really 2-2. I think if I told you either of those records would be the case just 2 months ago all of FIU Nation would take that.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

How about those FIU volleyball ladies making it 11 straight with 3 more SBC wins this weekend. The Golden Panthers are now 23-4 and 13-1 leading the Sun Belt.

WIN A GPP BLOG or (2nd place -- 2008 FIU football media guide) Leaderboard (through 8 games):

8-0 (points differential)

Baltimorepanther (162).

7-1

CJ (153); FIUChris (164); Gold (168); Ultimate FIU Fan (184).

6-2

FIU Voice (140); Clawing Cancer (148); FIU Love (149), Puma (149); outofthecage88 (151); Fomenter (155); Gazi (161); esteban688 (162); NYCFIUFan (163); FIU 0406 (166); FIU Fanatic (181).

5-3

FIUJM (166); TheChampionUnderdog (177); FIUrulez (178); fiufan751 (179); TNGoldenPanther (183); MIA/NY Josh (190), U24/7 (190); SouthPaw (203); FIUBlueandGold (206); FIUfantastic (215); CrazyCane (251).

4-4

Max (200); gpantera (207); Quijote (242).

GPP: 7-1 (169).

Time to get the UL loss out of your system and let us know what you think of FIU two-thirds through this season:

Online Surveys & Market Research

Online Surveys & Market Research

Midseason + 1 Musings: DBs & STs

LAKELAND -- Time to wrap up our midseason look at your Golden Panthers as another big Sun Belt game is just 2 days  away for FIU against Louisiana. Yes, that's right Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns like FIU has undergone a name change for the better.

The Cajuns no longer want to be referred to as Louisiana-Lafayette and just want to be known as the University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns or UL, as you can tell by their new logo on the right here.

Writing to you from Lakeland on this Wednesday night. Finished covering the state high school golf tournament up here. Think I've watched enough golf for a while now the last 48 hours. Enjoy playing it, but watching it in 40-degree temps up here is another story, especially when I forgot my jacket back in Miami.

On to the midseason look at the Golden Panthers' secondary and special teams....

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Before this season started, we told you the FIU secondary could be the strength of this year's D and so far the unit has not done anything to disprove that.

The returns of Robert Mitchell, Marshall McDuffie (22, left) and Jeremiah Weatherspoon all have given the Golden Panthers a boost.

The continued development of Anthony Gaitor (right), who the thought here is will be playing on Sundays eventually, has also helped elevate the play of the DBs.

Dez Johnson has been a pleasant surprise for the Golden Panthers as well.

However, probably the biggest test awaits the FIU secondary this Saturday with UL QB Michael Desormeaux, who is the 12th leading rusher in the nation and leads the Sun Belt in total offense.

MD's and RB Tyrell Fenroy's runs can sucker in a secondary and destroy them with play-action passes. If the FIU secondary shuts down MD on Saturday, we'll add another Panther Paw to what has been earned above, right.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The FIU special teams have actually been for the most part pretty good thus far.

Of course, we all know about that AOL kick/punt returner. But we've also seen pretty good punt/kick coverage by the Golden Panthers. No surprise there with the amount of time FIU and ST coach Apollo Wright put into STs in practice.

There have also been 3 blocked kicks by FIU -- one being scooped up by Blue25 for a TD.

Carlos Munera (left) has nailed 14 punts inside the 20 and has connected on a 61-yard punt. While Dustin Rivest has not had many FG shots (2-4), he has hit all 20 PATs and is averaging nearly 60 yards on kickoffs.

We learned through your voting that you believe Paul McCall is the most improved FIU offensive player. More than 60 percent (60.2%) voted for PM, with Greg Ellingson getting 18 percent of the vote to finish second.

Below you can vote for FIU's most improved defensive player.

We'll start talking Cajun on the next blog and I don't mean sounding like Bobby Boucher.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

In case you missed it, the FIU volleyball team is ranked No. 18 in the nation in the latest RPI rankings. The Golden Panther ladies are 20-4 on the season and ruling the Sun Belt with a 10-1 conference record. They host the Sun Belt Tournament beginning November 20. So let's give you good people some homework and add a volleyball question while we're at it....

Online Surveys & Market Research

Online Surveys & Market Research

Midseason + 1 Musings: WRs, TEs & OL

As we wrap up our look at the FIU offense halfway through the season + 1 game, we'll find the strength  of the offense, a couple of the most improved offensive players and a need for more beef.

By the way, is everyone having trouble posting comments on the GPP? I've tried to answer your questions in the comments section, but the system does not allow me to. I have contacted MH IT to get this straightened out.

If you are having trouble posting comments, drop me a quick e-mail at ppelegrin@miamiherald.com to let me know. Thanks.

Back to the Golden Panthers offense.

RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

Through the first 7 games of the season, the talk or sign-off and with good reason has been T.Y. Goodbye (below, left). I can't recall a freshmen making a bigger first impression in FIU's 6-year history. El Monstruo may come close, but he played most of his snaps on special teams his first season at FIU.

T.Y. -- who gets good natured ribbing chants of "Goodbye, Goodbye" from his teammates whenever they see him being interviewed -- has done it all in the first half of the season. The only concern thus far is he needs more size to make it through the rigors of D-I football.

It may be a close call as to who has better hands: T.Y. or Greg Ellingson (left, lifting T.Y.)? GE has really come on thus far and made some terrific catches. Although not as fast as T.Y. (then again who is?), GE has become a dependable receiver for PM.

Freshman Junior Mertile (below, right) may not have the yards, but he's tied with T.Y. for the team lead in catches (17) and has the breakaway speed to take one all the way.

Jeremy Dickens and Marquis Rolle have made some catches, but the Golden Panthers need more out of them in the final 5 games.

Along with GE, tight end Eric Kirchenberg might be one of the most improved players on O. EK has shown some good hands this season and run some nice routes. He's also been a steady blocker in the run game and on punt ST.

If not for the early season dropsies, this group of pass catchers would have received 5 paws, but their 4 paws is the most handed out thus far.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The play of the O-line thus far has been inconsistent. To be fair, there have been injuries and not having Mount Mack also hurts.

While there have been games such as Toledo, North Texas and Middle Tennessee when PM has been kept clean and the run game has gotten some openings, but then you also have last week's showing against Troy where the Trojans D-line overmatched the FIU O-line.

Yes, the Golden Panthers need to get more beef upfront and another season with all the regulars healthy will only help. Plus, you can bet MC is bringing in reinforcements through recruiting.

But for FIU to challenge for the Sun Belt title this season and/or try and land an SBC tie-in bowl invite, the O-line will need to have more Toledo/NT/MT showings.

We'll move on over to the defensive front 7 on the next post.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

Got plenty of time to get your scores in for the FIU/ULL game next Saturday. Deadline is 4:59 p.m. GPP Time next Saturday, Nov. 1.

Will have a LIVE GPP Blog from Lafayette, Louisiana next Saturday beginning at 4:45 p.m. Miami time. Game time is 5 p.m.

We all know the obvious answer to FIU's offensive MVP in the first half of the season, but here's a more intriguing question up for debate and vote and why not since it's an election year:

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Not Half Bad

It's no secret and no surprise that very few Golden Panthers were on any preseason honors lists.

What a difference 3 wins and sitting atop the Sun Belt Conference makes at the halfway mark of the season.

On Wednesday, Phil Steele Publications released its 2008 Mid-Season All-Sun Belt Team and 8 of your Golden Panthers were among the honorees.

No shocker to see T.Y. Hilton (left) on the 1st team. In fact, Goodbye was named to 3 positions on the 1st team: receiver, kick returner and punt returner.

Joining T.Y. on the 1st team were: DE Quentin Newman (right), DB Robert Mitchell and P Carlos Munera.

Kind of a surprise to see LB Scott Bryant on the 2nd team along with DB Anthony Gaitor (Both should   have been 1st teamers). OL Joe Alajajian also made 2nd team.

Center Brad Serini made the 3rd team.

Of course, all this is just mid-season and we still have 6 games to go, but after just 2 FIUers (El Oso and Ash Parker) were All-Sun Belt honorable mention last season this is certainly an improvement.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

As you may have seen on-line at the MH, FC Barcelona and FIU signed a 3-year deal with a 2-year option for a proposed MLS Miami expansion team to play at FIU Stadium. Nice coup for FIU. With FC Barcelona's backing, the MLS should be headed this way.

We'll be blogging LIVE from Troy this Saturday starting around 6:45 p.m. Miami time. Also, the FIU  baseball team plays an exhibition against Team Ontario next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at University Park Stadium and I'll have a LIVE GPP Blog from the game to talk a little FIU baseball.

FIU football's radio broadcasts switch to WIOD 610 AM starting with this Saturday's game vs. Troy. Same announcers, different station for the remainder of the season due to WINZ 940 being the new home of the Miami Heat. You can also still catch FIU football in Espanol on 670 AM and 1550 AM with Jerry Castle and Joe Fields.

Congrats to FIU D-Coordinator Phil Galiano who arrived midway through practice Wednesday after his wife delivered a newborn daughter this morning.

Well, we bring out a poll question regarding an FIU tradition and what do you know we get 125 votes in less than a day. Some strong feelings toward "Ole! Ole! Ole!"

We'll turn our attention back to Troy after this, but FIUFPL had a good point: I did not make it a clear cut question so we'll ask it again and while we're at it tell us your thoughts on FIU signing a stadium deal with MLS Miami. . . .

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Better Times On SW 8 St....But Still Got Work To Do

Your Golden Panthers are growing up right before your eyes and rather quickly, too. 3-3, 2-0 tied for 1st place in the Sun Belt and a huge test against the perennial class of the SBC at Troy this Saturday.

Impressive win against Middle Tennessee and the Sun Belt's top passer, Joe Craddock, on Saturday. FIU held Craddock, who averages 268 yards per game to just 25 yards and got JC an early trip to the showers for his ineffectiveness.

Another stellar performance from the FIU D swarming the MT backfield with tackles for loss, playing tight pass D -- Anthony Gaitor (right) 2 INTs & SBC Defensive Player of the Week -- and containing backup QB Dwight Dasher, who killed them last year.

This is a well-coached unit by D-coordinator Phil Galiano. Like AG said in the postgame interview, he was sitting on the 2nd INT that went for a TD, because they had seen that formation all week on film and when MT lined up in it, Galiano yelled it out and AG went pick 6.

What was clearly evident vs. MT, was the Florida speed FIU has and the Blue Raiders did not have. FIU was much faster on both sides of the ball. These young Golden Panthers now just need to add some size in the weight room and there will be a complete Division I football team playing on SW 8 Street.

Although the stats do not completely reflect it, Paul McCall (left) may have had his best game making decisions. PM knew exactly when to tuck the ball and run and when to throw it. PM also showed some nimble feet ducking a couple of sacks and leading the team with 53 yards rushing. Nice aggresive running, especially with the somersault in PM's 9-yd TD run.

Good to see Junior Mertile (below, right) make an impact. While T.Y. Goodbye has definitely been the most productive freshman thus far, you may not know this, but shhhh! quietly JM leads the team with 14 receptions.

Greg Ellingson and Jeremy Dickens had some nice grabs Saturday and provided some timely downfield  blocks. For the 3rd straight game FIU showed it has the ability to score plenty of points in Bill Legg's O. BTW, pretty sharp play-calling from the La Pierna. BL had MT off-balance. MT was looking for the short stuff all through the 3rd and early 4th quarter before PM hit T.Y. with that 63-yard TD. The FIU O-line did a fine job for the 4th consecutive game.

What has been a little troubling about the O has been the slow starts. As the Sun Belt sked toughens up, especially with the next 3 games against the other 3 teams tied with FIU for 1st, the Golden Panthers O needs to get into games faster and not wait until the second quarter. Also, can't have PM leading the team in rushing. FIU needs more of the RBs performance vs. Toledo.

The D has been lights out for most of the season, still, more sacks would not hurt. There have been several times when the opposing QB is sitting back there going through his reads. With bigger and better O-lines in Troy, ULL and Ark. State awaiting FIU, the pass rush has to finish and not just put pressure here and there. 

Overall, the Golden Panthers were pretty much on point against the Blue Raiders. All 3 facets of the team produced and the result a 3rd straight win equaling the program record and equaling the best start in FIU history (2002 team, which featured FIU football pioneers like S John Haritan, left, started 3-3).

The FIU fans also helped out the Golden Panthers. Good to meet, Quijote and gpantera, who dropped by the front row of the open-air press box to talk FIU football. At the start of the game, it looked like it would be an average turnout in the student section, but when I looked over there midway through the 1st quarter, the area was just about full and good thing for those metal stands, because when they get stomped FIU Stadium gets loud.

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

Saturday's game vs. Troy is on ESPN regional, but you can also catch it at FIU Arena where the university is hosting a watch party at 7 p.m.

OR you can join me in Troy on the GPP with our LIVE blog from Movie Gallery Stadium in Troy, Alabama. I will be on-line around 6:45 p.m. Miami time on Saturday.

This just does not get old.....Congrats, once again to Yarimar Rosa for her 4th SBC Volleyball Player of the Week Award. It's the 9th in her career (a Sun Belt record) and YR is looking later this season to earn her 3rd All-American honor in 3 years at FIU.

Got a chance to finally see the Panther intro video (was busy during USF game to notice) that is played on the Jumbotron before the Golden Panthers take the field and must say that is one impressive intro piece with AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" playing in the background and the live-looking Panther jumping from building to building and stomping through the opponents helmet on the FIU Stadium field. Kudos to Ed Filomia, who put the video together.

Reminder the GPP Q & A's are now in the comments section.

WIN A GPP BLOG Leaderboard (through 6 games; scores for FIU/Troy must be in by 6:59 p.m. GPP Time on Saturday)

6-0 (points differential)

FIUChris (111); CJ (118); Baltimorepanther(125); Ultimate FIU Fan (134).

5-1

FIUVoice (105); Clawing Cancer (108); FIUJM (113); FIUBlue82 (116); NYCFIUFan (117); Puma (120); Gazi (121); FIU Love (122); esteban688 (124); FIU0406 (126), The OC Panther (126); Gold (127); FIUPantherFan (128), TheChampionUnderdog (128); FIUBlueandGold (135); TNGoldenPanther (136); alt7787 (141).

4-2

outofthecage88 (110); Fomenter (129); FIU Fanatic (143); gpantera (148); Max (150); FIUfantastic (163).

3-3

FIUrulez (143); fiufan751 (153); Quijote (156); U24/7 (161); SouthPaw (166); MIA/NY Josh (174); CrazyCane (209).

GPP 5-1 (143).

The GPP doesn't hand out mid-season awards, but will have a mid-season review + 1 game of the Golden Panthers next week during FIU's bye week. For now, this question will tie you over:

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Off The Field With: Scott Bryant

Let's take a little break from the regular blog news-type postings to try something different. Would like to start up a new feature on the GPP where occasionally we'll take some time out to talk off the field/court/diamond with a Golden Panther. First up: linebacker Scott Bryant.

GPP: When coach Cristobal took over at FIU he installed a dress code for when you guys travel. So who is the best dressed player on the team?

SB: It's a three-way tie between James Jones, Jarvis Wilson and Artis Warthen. They come with their gator shoes on. Real sharp dressers all three of them. I just put on my shirt and tie and get on the plane.

GPP: What was the game day atmosphere like for the first game at the new FIU Stadium?

SB: It was crazy. It was intense. It was surprising not to be able to hear football calls on the field and hear players say "What was the call?" We were like "It's so loud out here".

GPP: You went to Lakeland High, home of the Dreadnaughts. When you first heard of the mascot's name did you have to go on-line and find out what a Dreadnaught was?

SB: I had to go on-line and find out what exactly is a Dreadnaught. I thought about dreads. I thought about it being naughty. No, was wrong on both. A dreadnaught is a battleship.

GPP: Since you arrived at FIU you have been real good doing interviews and public speaking. But I'm sure you've had a slip up at some point during an interview. What was it?

SB: Forgetting the question. I try to pull things out of my head to answer the question that sometimes I tend to think too hard and I forget the question. I'll stop and ask "What was the question again?"

GPP: If you were to try another sport at FIU what would it be?

SB: Baseball. I played outfield and first base in high school. I don't remember my average, but I was a pretty solid hitter.

GPP: Speaking of solid hitters, who is the greatest linebacker ever?

SB: Ray Lewis. He's a leader and he's non-stop about what he does. The intensity and hard work is just obvious. The team follows him and looks up to him and he's confident in what he does.

  GPP: Which famous person have people told you that you resemble?

SB: I get jumped about Booker T (near right), the wrestler from the WWE. He has dreads. People are always like "Booker T, Booker T".

GPP: There is a lot of wrestling interest on this current FIU team? You have Andy Leavine, who came up with the name "The Divine Leavine" for when he pursues a wrestling career. Michael Dominguez is a wrestling fan and when they were younger Coach Cristobal and his brother had two tag team names: The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Flying Plantain Brothers. Which one of those two names would you pick if you were coach's wrestling manager?

SB: I like the Burritos. It's just hot down here and that's what Burritos are.

GPP: Here is the million dollar question FIU fans on the GPP have wanted to know for a long time: Which nickname do you prefer Scott "Buzzsaw" Bryant or Scott "El Oso" Bryant?

SB: I'm going to go with "El Oso", because a bear is unstoppable and once he has you in contain you're going down.

GPP: So what would your wrestling name be?

SB: The Outstanding Oso.

**On the next "Off The Court": FIU's two-time All-American Yarimar Rosa

GOLDEN PANTHER PAWSE

**Reminder, the WIN A GPP BLOG scores for FIU/North Texas have to be in by 6:59 p.m. GPP Time on Saturday.

Still going to do the question/answer session of the Pawse in the comments section inside the post, but wanted to keep the Pawse here to separate other blog stuff from the main post.

The GPP Worldwide Readership keeps rolling with a new state and a new country joining the Prowl. In our last couple of polls, readers have chimed in from Honolulu, Hawaii and Venezuela. Someone in Venezuela did not like any of our choices for T.Y. Hilton nicknames. Over in the 50th state of union and 34th state of the GPP, someone thinks overconfidence could be the biggest hurdle FIU must overcome against North Texas.

On to the scorecard: The GPP is read in 34 STATES: ALA, ARI, CA, COL, FLA, GA, HI, IDAHO, IL, IND, IOWA, KAN, KY, LA, MASS, MD, MICH, MIN, MISS, MO, NEB, NC, NJ, NY, OH, ORE, PA, RI, SC, TEN, TEX, VA, VER, WIS.

15 COUNTRIES: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Brazil, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Venezuela.

1 DISTRICT: Washington, D.C. and 1 TERRITORY: Puerto Rico.

So let's poll it up and see what you good people think and also vote on the new GPP feature.

Be blogging to you from Denton, Texas at some point Friday with the FIU/NT game preview and predicted score. And don't forget we'll try a LIVE GPP BLOG from Saturday's game.

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