FIU Panthers (1-4; 1-0 SBC)
vs. North Texas Mean Green (1-5; 1-2 SBC)
Saturday, October 16, 2010 • 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Fouts Field (30,500) • Denton, Texas
Gameday Central
Series vs. UNT: FIU leads, 3-2 Last: 11/14/09 – at FIU 35, NT 28
Radio: 790 The Ticket (Jeremy Marks-Peltz, pbp/Jorge Sedano, color)
TV: Sun Belt Network/ESPN3.com (Joe Block , pbp/Cole Cubelic, analyst/Sandra Golden, sideline)
THE GAME - Coming off their first win of the season, the FIU Panthers travel to Denton, Texas to face the North Texas Mean Green. The Panthers will look to build on their Sun Belt Conference opener victory over WKU last week in Miami.
FIU is riding a three-game winning streak against the Mean Green, with all three games taking place in different stadiums. Last year the Panthers beat the Mean Green at FIU Stadium. In 2008 FIU took one from UNT at Fouts Field, and in 2007, FIU ended the season with a 38-19 victory over UNT in the last college football game ever played at the legendary Orange Bowl.
FINDING TRACTION - The FIU running game had its best night in nearly three years, picking up 235 yards on the ground, the best total since FIU had 264 yards against Louisiana on November 17, 2007. FIU also scored four touchdowns on the ground, which is tied for the most-ever in a game by FIU.
OOH...AHH - Darian Mallary, nicknamed "Ooh" for his ability to make people miss, had a breakout game against Western Kentucky (10/9/10). Mallary set a career-high with 97 rushing yards on just nine carries for an ooh-inspiring 10.8 yards per carry.
GAITOR BAIT - Known as one of the best pass defenders in the conference, Gaitor's biggest contributions in FIU's victory over WKU came behind the line of scrimmage. With WKU driving towards a potential game-tying touchdown, Gaitor made a stop behind the line of scrimmage on an end-around that put WKU in a 4th-and-8 situation after a loss of four yards. Two drives earlier, Gaitor forced WKU to punt after sacking Kawaun Jakes on third down. On the season, Gaitor now has career-highs of 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
After picking off five passes in 2008, Anthony Gaitor had just two interceptions in 2009. Already in 2010, Gaitor has picked off two passes, which ranks second in the country. Gaitor's latest interception was a big one as he took it 54 yards for a touchdown that gave FIU a 20-6 lead over the Texas A&M Aggies. Gaitor also sacked Jerrod Johnson, forcing a fumble that FIU recovered and turned into a field goal that gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead at the time.
PAYDIRT FOR DP - Darriet Perry found the endzone once against WKU (10/9/10) after scoring two rushing touchdowns against Pitt (10/2/10). Perry has now scored five rushing touchdowns, which matches his total from his first two seasons. Perry now has 10-career rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the third-best total in FIU history. Rashod Smith holds the record with 24.
ELLING$ON - "Money Plays" are defined as plays resulting in a first down or touchdown. This season, senior wideout Greg Ellingson has been FIU's go-to "Money Man." Ellingson leads the team with 14 such receptions (13 1st downs/ 1 TD). Through his career, Ellingson has been one of FIU's most consistent and reliable receivers. This season has been no different as he leads the team with 250 receiving yards on 16 receptions. Ellingson now has 1,666 career receiving yards, which is the fifth-best total in FIU history.
