In a game where the national spotlight shined brightly after 18 players were either suspended or dismissed from the team following its last game against Miami, and playing in front of the largest crowd ever to witness an FIU intercollegiate athletic event, FIU (0-8) more than held its own over the first 30 minutes against Alabama (6-3), before falling 38-3, Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.

In front of an announced Homecoming crowd of 92, 138, the Golden Panthers gave Alabama a first half fight, but not surprisingly, wore down in the second and fell for the eighth time this season, tying a program record.

Josh Padrick completed eight-of-24 passes for 134 yards while true freshmen Jeremy Dickens caught four passes for 100 yards and running back Chance Attaway rushed 13 times for a team-high 23 net yards--both in starting assignments.

"Guys like Jeremy Dickens may not have been starters for us but they has played a lot this season," said FIU head coach Don Strock. "We've played at least 18 players out of this year's class this season so it's not like they haven't had the playing time, just not as extensive as in this game."

Kenneth Darby led Alabama with 70 rushing yards on 10 carries, but it was FIU's lack of any sustained offense that set up most of the Crimson Tide's scoring.

Alabama, a traditionally run-oriented offensive, opened the game throwing against FIU's mostly untested defensive backfield and that strategy paid instant dividends when a pass-interference call and a 21-yard pass completion over the first three plays set Alabama up with a first-and-10 from the FIU 42.

Ken Darby then ran 33 yards to the FIU  nine. But as it has done so many times this season, despite adversity, the Golden Panthers defense stopped third and fourth-down runs from the one, holding Alabama scoreless on its first possession.

A 16-yard third-down pass completion from Padrick to Dickens got the Golden Panthers away from the shadow of the end zone but they could muster little more and after a 33-yard punt, Alabama had its second possession, starting at the FIU 43. Once again, a defensive stand gave the offense the ball.

And this time the offense clicked. On a third-and-10 from the FIU 10, Padrick found Dickens in full stride for a 68-yard completion to the Tide 22. Daunte Owens ran the ball to the 20 and three plays later, a Dustin Rivest field from 37 yards out gave the Golden Panthers a 3-0 lead after one quarter.

Special teams helped Alabama take a 7-3 lead with 10:11 to play in the second quarter. A Chris Cook punt attempt was blocked and gave the Crimson Tide the ball at the FIU 33-yard. On first down, Wilson hit full back Le'Ron McClain for a 24-yard gain to the nine and then connected with McClain again for the final nine yards and a score.

Alabama took a 10-3 lead into the intermission on a Jamie Christensen 46-yard field goal.

The second half did not start well for FIU although the results weren't immediately recorded on the scoreboard. After the defense held Alabama on its opening possession, linebacker Alexander Bostic III when down on the punt and was taken to the locker room for evaluation. And then, on a second-and-10 situation on offense, Padrick went down hard after an Alabama blitz and hobbled off to the sideline, replaced by backup Paul McCall.

The Golden Panthers were forced to punt and, for only the second time in school history, it was returned for a touchdown. This time, UA's Javier Arenas, returned the punt 65 yards for the score and a 17-3 lead.

Moments later, with McCall still at the controls, Attaway coughed up the ball on FIU's first turnover of the day with Alabama's Simeon Castille recovering the fumble and returning it to the Golden Panthers' eight-yard. Bostic returned to the field, but the turnover proved too generous.

On a fourth-and-goal from the one, Alabama, sensing the turn of momentum, scored on a plunge up the middle by Tim Castille and an insurmountable, 24-3, lead with 7:14 to play in the third quarter.

Another FIU miscue moved Alabama to a 30-3 advantage with 10:18 to play. Padrick's attempted pass to Dickens sailed through his hands and into the waiting arms of Ramzee Robinson who retuned the pick 34 yards for a score.

A partially-blocked 10-yard punt set up Alabama's final score?a six-yard pass from back-up quarterback Matt Caddell to Jimmy Barnes from six yards out.

"We obviously came in shorthanded dressing only 52 players, but I was proud in the way they hung in there, especially in the first half," Strock said. "My concern in the second half was getting worn down and Alabama made some plays?an interception, punt return and a fumble recovery at the 10. Making those kind of mistakes, especially on the road, is not conducive to winning. But overall, we played hard and I'm very proud of them."

FIU will now enter its second and final bye week before playing its final four games?all against Sun Belt Conference opponents?beginning Saturday, Nov. 11 against Louisiana-Monroe at FIU Stadium. For tickets and information, call the FIU ticket office toll free at (866) FIU-GAME or (305) 348-4263 in Miami-Dade County.