GAMEDAY CENTRAL

THE GAME - This week the Panthers travel to College Station, Texas, for a meeting with the Texas A&M Aggies. FIU is coming off a tough 19-14 loss to another BCS conference opponent, Rutgers, in which the Panthers dominated in nearly every statistical category, but were done in by turnovers and penalties.

The Aggies come into the game with a 2-0 record after defeating Louisiana Tech, 48-16. This will be FIU's fifth-ever matchup against a Big-12 team, the last being a 40-10 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks on August 30, 2008.

TENACIOUS D - In their first game under the direction of new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, the FIU defense looked absolutely dominant. The Panthers D allowed just 172 yards of offense, which ranks second in the country in total defense.

FIU was especially dominant against the run, allowing just 76 yards on the ground on 38 attempts (2.0 YPC). Last year against Rutgers, Joe Martinek ran for 121 yards. This year, the bruising back had no success as he carried 14 times for just 28 yards.

YOU CAN'T RUN AND YOU CAN'T PASS - FIU's defense was dominant in all aspects of the game against Rutgers. After allowing just 76 rushing yards and 96 passing yards, FIU ranks 15th nationally in rushing defense and sixth in pass defense.

THREE AND OUT - The Panthers defense did a great job getting the Rutgers offensive unit off the field. FIU held Rutgers without a first down in the first quarter and just eight first downs overall.

CYP, GAITOR AND LIL' CANADA GET IT DONE - Coming into the season, big things were expected out of Jonathan Cyprien, Anthony Gaitor and Toronto Smith. After one game, the defensive trio seems to be ready to fulfill those expectations. Jonathan Cyprien opened the season with nine tackles against the Scarlet Knights, including one for a loss. Anthony Gaitor picked off a pass, his 10th-career interception. Toronto Smith, the heart and soul of the FIU defense, led all tacklers with seven unassisted stops and nine overall.

RUNNING START - Making his FIU debut, Jeremiah Harden lived up to the offseason hype by racking up 88 yards on just 15 carries for an average of 5.9 yards per carry. Harden also caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown reception came in the third quarter to put the Panthers ahead, 14-13. Harden set the tone early for FIU's rushing game, picking up 11 yards on his first carry of the contest. For the game, the Panthers outrushed Rutgers 176-76 at a pace of 4.6 yards per carry, compared to 2.0 for the Scarlet Knights.

NEW AND IMPROVED O-LINE - The FIU offensive line went through a major overhaul this offseason. Not only did Alex Mirabal take over as new offensive line coach, but FIU lost three starters off last year's O-line. With the addition of Caylin Hauptmann, the emergence of Cedric Mack, Giancarlo Revilla and Rupert Bryan, and of course, Rimmington Watchlist member Brad Serini, the FIU offensive line was dominant against Rutgers, allowing just one sack and opening up gaping holes for the running game.

HICKMAN IS THE MAN- This offseason, several FIU freshmen got plenty of media attention. One man that didn't get that publicity was Greg Hickman. After last Saturday's performance against Rutgers, that should change. The freshman linebacker led all players with two tackles for loss, and recorded FIU's only sack of the ballgame.

DISRUPTIVE FORCES - The Panthers defense recorded seven tackles for loss against Rutgers, and seven Panthers got in on the TFL action. Hickman (2), Cyprien (1), Aaron Davis (1), Winston Fraser (1), Gaitor (1), Jarvis Wilson (0.5) and Toronto Smith (0.5) all recorded tackles for losses.

A LOOK AT THE AGGIES

• The Aggies come into the contest with a record of 2-0, winning convincingly both times by scores of 48-7 & 48-16.
• Last time out, against Louisiana Tech, A&M racked up 565 yards of total offense. The offensive onslaught came both through the air and on the ground as the Aggies ran for 216 yards and passed for 349.
• Quarterback Jerrod Johnson led the offensive attack as he had 349 yards passing and four touchdowns.
• After a slow start, the Aggies turned it on in the second half, starting with Johnson connecting on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Fuller, who finished with 160 yards receiving, to push the lead to 28-10 early in the third quarter. That was Fuller's 19th-career touchdown reception, which ties a 42-year-old school record. He is tied with Bob Long, whose record has stood since 1968.
• The A&M special teams also got in on the scoring with a 54-yard punt return for touchdown by Dustin Harris.
• Texas A&M's defense, which ranked among the nation's worst last season, turned in another strong performance. The Aggies allowed just 269 yards and forced seven fumbles and had two interceptions.

FIU IN THE LONE STAR STATE

The FIU Panthers hold a 2-2 all-time record in games played in Texas.

10/9/04 at #5 Stephen F. Austin (W) 31-24

9/10/05 at #19/21 Texas Tech (L) 3-56

10/7/06 at North Texas (7 OT) (L)

10/4/08 at North Texas (W) 42-10 16,781

FIU VS. THE BIG XII

The FIU Panthers hold an 0-4 all-time record against Big XII teams

9/3/05   at Kansas State (L) 21-35

9/10/05 at #19/21 Texas Tech (L) 3-56

9/22/07 at Kansas (L) 3-55

8/30/08 at Kansas (L) 10-40