FIU Panthers (3-2; 1-1 SBC)
vs. Akron Zips (1-4; 0-2 MAC)
Saturday, October 8, 2011 • 2:00 p.m. (ET)
InfoCision Stadium (30,000) • Akron, Ohio
Series: First Meeting
Radio: WHIM-1080 AM (Tony Calatayud, pbp/Rick Sanchez, color)
Gameday Central
THE GAME - FIU and Akron face off this week in a matchup of two teams looking to get back in the win column after disappointing losses. The Panthers are coming off back-to-back losses to Louisiana and Duke, which came on the heels of a three-game winning streak to start the season. Akron dropped a 31-23 decision to conference foe Eastern Michigan.
DON'T PICK ON ME - FIU quarterback Wes Carroll has been incredibly accurate this year for the Panthers, completing 62.3% of his passes. Even more impressive has been his ability to take care of the football, as he hasn't thrown an interception all year. In fact, Carroll has thrown 120 consecutive passes without an interception, dating back to the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (12/26/10). Carroll's efficiency rating of 147.73 is second among all Sun Belt Conference QBs.
LET'S GO CARROLLING – FIU quarterback Wes Carroll set program records in 2010 for passing yards (2,623), passing touchdowns (16), completions (226) and total offense (2,615). The 2011 season is off to another great start for Carroll who has completed 71-of-114 passes (62.3 %) for 924 yards and six touchdowns.
Carroll had his best game of the year, and arguably the best of his career, against Duke (10/1) where he completed 25-of-39 passes for 348 yards and three scores.
IT TAKES TWO, BABY - Against Duke (10/1), FIU went back to its two-pronged attack on the ground as Darriet Perry and Kedrick Rhodes combined to carry 29 times for 163 yards. Perry led the way with 102 rushing yards and 32 receiving yards while Rhodes added 61 on the ground and 60 in the receiving game.
TIGHT PASSES - Coming into the game against Duke (10/1), FIU tight ends had combined for just three catches. Against the Blue Devils, FIU's tight ends Colt Anderson and Jonathan Faucher caught three passes for 62 yards and one score. The touchdown came courtesy of Faucher who hauled in a 15-yarder.
HILTON IS BACK - Hampered by injuries, T.Y. Hilton was limited to just six catches and 62 yards combined against UCF and Louisiana. Against Duke,. Hilton wasted no time showing that he is back as he hit the Blue Devils for 102 receiving yards on five catches, including a 63-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter
STUFFED -The FIU defense has been stingy against the run this season, allowing just 107 rushing yards per game, which ranks 32nd in the country and first in the Sun Belt Conference. Against Duke (10/1), FIU allowed a season-low 49 rushing yards.
THE CAGE IS ROCKING – Through four home games, the Panthers are averaging over 18,000 fans per home game, including an Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium record 22,682 in FIU's homecoming game against Duke (10/1). The home field advantage has been felt by FIU's opponents as they have committed 32 penalties for 272 yards, many coming on offsides and delays of game.
The Akron Zips
-The Zips are coming off a 23-31 loss to conference foe Eastern Michigan.
-Zips quarterback Clayton Moore has thrown six touchdowns this year, but he has also thrown five interceptions.
-Moore's favorite target is wideout Keith Sconiers, who has caught 24 passes this year for 420 yards and a team-best four touchdowns.
-On the ground, Akron is led by Jawon Chischolm who has carried 102 times, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and finding the endzone twice.
-On defense Akron is led by junior linebacker Brian Wagner who leads the squad with 59 tackles.
-Akron's defense has yet to come up with an interception, but opposing passers have only completed 50% of their throws.
