By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

FIU certainly had its share of contributors to last Saturday's 30-29 win over Charlotte.

The Panthers' comeback occurred because of a pair of long passes from Alex McGough to Thomas Owens and Austin Maloney to set up touchdowns; Napoleon Maxwell had a 38-yard run to spur the game-winning field goal drive; and the FIU defense shut down the 49ers run game in the second half to just 72 yards.

However, just as important in the victory was something that may not have been as apparent or something "hidden".

Before Charlotte started its final drive to possibly sneak out a win, FIU punter Stone Wilson was called to punt from the Panthers 42 with less than five minutes to play in the game and FIU leading 30-29.

Wilson pooched his punt -- and like a masterful golf wedge shot to the green -- the FIU punter dropped the kick on the 49ers 2 leaving Charlotte with at least 78 to 80 yards to go for a good chance at the winning field goal.

The 49ers with a shaky kicking game – kicker Nigel Macauley was 0 for 3 from 40 yards or more this season before Saturday – needed every yard they could get. Charlotte drove to the FIU 31 before Macauley missed a 48-yard field goal that helped FIU go to 3-1.

The "hidden yardage" on special teams that so many football coaches talk about helped the Panthers.

"It certainly is the difference and we talk about it," said FIU special teams coach James Vollono of the hidden yardage on Wilson's punt. "We said it in camp to be a situational master. If we call for a pooch punt we need [Wilson's] best and we got his best. The team relies on him just like they rely on Alex McGough or any of our players. It was great to see him come through in the clutch and really help the team."

For his efforts last Saturday, Wilson was named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week. Wilson had a 45.8-yard per punt average against the 49ers, hit a long of 56 yards and placed two punts inside the 20.

"When I got it inside the 2 was when it hit me that this could change the game for us," Wilson said. "Charlotte could have had a better shot at the field goal if they drive the same amount of yards from a better starting field position."

The performance last Saturday is just a glimpse of the solid season Wilson is having. Earlier this season against Central Florida, Wilson had a 67-yard punt tying former FIU punter Josh Brisk for the third longest punt in FIU history. Chris Cook holds the FIU record with a 71-yard punt against Troy in the Orange Bowl in 2007.

"I believe so," said Wilson, when asked if he thinks this is his best season punting. "But that's because I have never had a special teams like this with Sean Young, Jose Borregales and Hunter Arbit. Hunter has given me great snaps every time I ask for it. Sean has given me great competition and is making me better every day. Jose will be in my head telling me to calm down and remember the fundamentals."

Indeed, the FIU specialists have helped the Panthers tie the best start (3-1) in the program's 16-year history. The 2011 FIU team also started 3-1. With a win Saturday at Middle Tennessee, FIU will have the best start in its history.

Besides Wilson, Borregales is five of six in field goals and a perfect eight for eight in extra points. Young had four touchbacks on six kickoffs against Charlotte and Arbit has had crisp, clean snaps.

"I think the specialists group as a whole you have to give them credit," Vollono said. "It's great that Stone won that award but it really goes to the whole group. Stone had a great game and that's a reflection of his hard work. We are playing hard and there are errors here and there. We are so close in every phase of being dominant. Every day we are taking those steps to being dominant and shoring up the little details."