FIU Panthers (5-5; 5-1 SBC)
vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (4-7; 4-3 SBC)
Saturday, November 27, 2010 • 3:30 p.m. (ET)
FIU Stadium (20,000) • Miami, Fla.
Gameday Central
Series: ASU leads, 4-1
Last: 10/24/09 – FIU 10, at ASU 27
Radio: 790 The Ticket (Jeremy Marks-Peltz, pbp/Jorge Sedano, color)
TV: Sun Belt Network (Joe Block/pbp, Cole Cubelic/analyst, Sandra Golden/sideline)
THE GAME - The Panthers host the Arkansas State Red Wolves with a chance to not only become bowl-eligible for the first time in FIU history, but with the opportunity to lock up the program's first Sun Belt Conference championship.
Last year in Jonesboro, the Red Wolves beat the Panthers 27-10. However, last time these teams met in Miami, the Panthers came away with a thrilling 22-21 victory. The game-winning score in that contest came on what has come to be known as "The Hilton Heave," a play where T.Y. Hilton threw a touchdown pass to Junior Mertile.
SACK LUNCH - Against Louisiana (11/20), the Panthers tied a program-record with seven sacks. The assault was led by Jarvis Wilson's three sacks, which is one shy of the FIU record. Wilson now leads the Panthers with 7.5 sacks, two short of the FIU single-season record. As a team, the Panthers have also set a single-season program-record with 29.0 sacks. The Panthers are now ranked 10th in the country with 2.9 sacks per game.
TWO WAYS - Junior Mertile (No.2) had played in 23 games as a wide receiver going into FIU's game against Louisiana (11/22). Against the Cajuns, not only did Mertile play cornerback for the first time in his collegiate career, but the redshirt sophomore intercepted a pass and returned it 26-yards for a touchdown.
THREE-LING - Darriet Perry scored a season-high three rushing touchdowns against Louisiana (11/22) to give him 10 for the year and 15 in his career. Both marks are second-best in FIU history.
Mr. 5000 - T.Y. Hilton's 49-yard reception in the third quarter of FIU's game against Louisiana (11/22) put him over the 5,000 all-purpose yard mark, making him the first player in program-history to achieve that milestone. Hilton finished the game with 5,006 career all-purpose yards.
ROAD WARRIORS - With its 38-17 victory at Louisiana (11/22) FIU notched its third road win of the season, marking the best road record for the Panthers in program history.
THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING - FIU's victory over Louisiana (11/22) was the program's first at Cajun Field. The week before, the Panthers secured their first-ever victory over Troy. FIU's three road victories are the most-ever for the program, and with a win against Arkansas State, FIU would assure itself of the program's first-ever .500 season.
RUN LIKE THE WIND - At the time, the 448 rushing yard performance against Troy (11/13/10) put FIU's season total at 1,758. After rushing for 155 yards against Louisiana (11/22), the Panthers have now rushed for 1,913 yards, FIU's highest single-season total, surpassing the previous mark of 1,429 set in 2007. With that performance, FIU has now rushed for over 150 yards in seven games this year, including the last six. The Panthers' 191.30 rushing yards-per-game are far and away the most ever for FIU. The Panthers previous high is 132.7 set in 2004. FIU is also currently ranked 27th in the country in rushing.
