FIU Football (0-4) vs. WKU Hilltoppers (0-4) - Saturday, September 9, 2010 - FIU Stadium - 3:30 p.m.

Gameday Central

Series vs. WKU: Tied, 2-2, Last: 10/10/09 – FIU 37, At WKU 20
Radio: 790 The Ticket (Jeremy Marks-Peltz, pbp/Jorge Sedano, color)
TV: Sun Belt Network (Jason Solodkin, pbp/Cole Cubueic, analyst) - Comcast Sports Southeast locally
Tickets: 305-FIU-Game

The FIU Panthers return home this week to host the WKU Hilltoppers in a matchup of two squads looking for their first victory of the year. FIU opens up Sun Belt Conference play this week after a meat-grinder schedule that saw the Panthers open up the season against four automatic qualifying BCS-conference teams. Despite FIU's 0-4 record, there's plenty of reason for optimism as the Panthers have had a chance to win every game they've played this year.

Just like FIU, WKU opened the season with games against four automatic qualifying BCS opponents. The Hilltoppers come into FIU stadium after a bye week that came on the heels of a hard-fought loss to USF on September 25. The Hilltoppers will be looking to snap a 24-game losing streak dating back to September 20, 2008 when they pounded Murray State 50-9 in Bowling Green. In that span, FIU has defeated WKU twice, once at home (27-3, 12/6/08) and once on the road (37-20, 10/10/09).

PAYDIRT FOR DP - Darriet Perry scored two rushing touchdowns against Pitt (10/2/10). Perry's two touchdown runs were his third and fourth of the season, setting a new career-high. Perry now has nine-career rushing touchdowns, which is the fifth-best total in FIU history. Rashod Smith holds the record with 24.

ELLINGSON IS MONEY - "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 13 such receptions (12 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 237 receiving yards on 14 receptions. Ellingson now has 1,643 career receiving yards, which is the fifth-best total in FIU history.

OUT OF THE GATES - The FIU defense held Pitt scoreless in the first quarter, marking the third-consecutive game in which this has happened. The Panthers are yet to allow a first quarter touchdown, with the only points scored against FIU in the first quarter coming on a field goal by Rutgers in FIU's season-opener. In the opening quarter, FIU has outscored opponents 17-3. The Panthers have also come out of halftime strong, outscoring the opposition 28-10 in the third quarter.

THE WKU HILLTOPPERS

• WKU, currently on a 24-game losing streak, is coming off a 24-12 loss at the hands of USF.
• WKU posted a season-high 314 yards of total offense against the Bulls, while allowing a season-low 283 yards.
• Kawaun Jakes threw for a season-high 221 yards, and led two fourth-quarter scoring drives against USF.
• WKU's secondary, which has allowed quarterbacks to complete nearly 75 percent of their passes, started two true freshmen, a redshirt freshman and a sophomore against the Bulls.
• WKU's offense is led by versatile running back Bobby Rainey, who has rushed for 508 yards and five touchdowns in 2010. However, against USF, Rainey was held to a season- low 64 yards on 21 carries.



• Last Meeting: FIU 37 - WKU 20 - 10/10/09 - Bowling Green, Ky.