FIU Panthers (2-0; 1-0 SBC)
vs. UCF Knights (2-0; 0-0 C-USA)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 • 6:00 p.m. (ET)
Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium (18,000) • Miami, Fla.
Series: First Meeting
TV: ESPN3.com (Kevin Corke, pbp/ Rene Ingoglia, color)
THE GAME – The Panthers are off to the best start in program history, having dispatched of the Louisville Cardinals last week, 24-17, to move to 2-0 for the first time ever. This week, FIU faces another first-time foe in the UCF Knights, who are coming off a big 30-3 win over Boston College.
The eyes of the nation will once again be fixed on FIU as the Panthers' matchup against the UCF Knights will be broadcast on ESPN3.com. Playing its first game ever against a Conference USA opponent, FIU will look to move to 3-0 and for the first time ever, win two out-of-conference games in one season.
HILTON4REAL – After an offseason filled with accolades, much pressure and expectations were placed on FIU's Heisman hopeful, T.Y. Hilton. The senior from Miami has more than delivered through his first two games. Last week, playing in front of a national ESPN audience, Hilton showed the world why he's considered one of the most dangerous players in the country as he torched the Louisville Cardinals for an FIU-record 201 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. For his efforts, Hilton was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week.
After a quiet first quarter, Hilton struck seemingly out of nowhere when he caught a pass on a slant route and darted past the entire Cardinal defense for a 74-yard touchdown. On FIU's next possession, with the Panthers facing third-and-long, Hilton split the Louisville defense and caught a pass over the middle before out-running both safeties into the endzone for an 83-yard score. The two touchdowns are the third- and fourth-longest receiving scores in FIU history.
At the end of the day, despite Louisville Head Coach Charlie Strong emphasizing the importance of stopping Hilton, FIU's Heisman hopeful had 268 all-purpose yards, giving him 551 yards through two contests.
In FIU's season opener against North Texas (9/1), Hilton racked up nation-best 283 all-purpose yards, 12 yards shy of his own school record (295 vs. Louisiana - 11/1/08).
Hilton wasted no time showing why he was named the Preseason Sun Belt Conference Co-Player of the Year as he took the opening kickoff 62 yards to set up the FIU offense with a short field. On FIU's next drive, Hilton scored on the first play when he left a defender in the dust for a 60-yard touchdown catch. Hilton finished the contest with 132 receiving yards on seven catches, 49 rushing yards on two attempts, 92 yards on two kickoff returns, and 10 yards on a pair of punt returns.
For his efforts, Hilton was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week, and the Sun Belt Player of the Week by Rivals.com. Hilton was also awarded a Helmet Sticker by ESPN.com and was named a CollegeFootballPerformance.com Honorable Mention WR performer.
BCS BUSTER - With its win against Louisville (9/9), FIU busted into the win column against teams from automatic qualifying conferences. Previously the Panthers had been 0-22 against “BCS teams.”
MR. WORLDWIDE – After his second touchdown catch against Louisville on Sept. 9, “TY Hilton” became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter (@Hilton4Heisman).
WINSTON'S TURN – The linebacker position has always been one of strength for the Panthers. In 2011, redshirt junior Winston Fraser is the veteran and he's off to a scorching start. The 2010 Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference selection opened the season with 11 tackles against the Mean Green, eight of them unassisted and one for loss. Against Louisville, Fraser had eight tackles, six of them unassisted. More importantly, however, was a play he made to set the tone of the game as he gave FIU an early 7-0 lead with a 71-yard interception return for touchdown in the first quarter. The 71-yard return is tied for the fourth-longest in FIU history.
KICKOFF WITH A BANG – For the first time since 2004 (at Youngstown St.), and the first time as an FBS (Division I) program, FIU opened its season with a victory. The Panthers blasted the North Texas Mean Green on Sept. 1 to open the season with a 'W' and in the process set a program record for points in a season opener by putting 41 points on the board. FIU followed up with a 24-17 victory at Louisville (9/9), putting FIU at 2-0 for the first time in school history.
LET'S GO CARROLLING – FIU quarterback Wesley Carroll returns for his senior season after breaking nearly every FIU single-season passing record in 2010. Carroll has set program records 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 20-of-43 passes (69.8 %) for 441 yards and three touchdowns.
DP's RUN FOR THE RECORDS – Darriet Perry's 16 rushing touchdowns in 2010 are not only the most rushing touchdowns in FIU history for a single season, but also the most single-season touchdowns ever by a Panther. In 2011, DP will make a run at the all-time record in both categories. After scoring two touchdowns against North Texas (9/1) Perry now has 23 rushing touchdowns, which is just one behind Rashod Smith's school record for rushing TDs (24) and five behind teammate T.Y. Hilton for the most touchdowns ever at FIU (29).
