FIU: (3-3, 1-1 C-USA) (1-3 road)
Middle Tennessee: (2-4, 1-1 C-USA) (2-1 home)
 
Date: Oct. 17, 2015
 
Location: Horace Jones Field at Floyd Stadium (Synthetic) (30,788) in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
 
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
 
Press Box Phone: 615.898.2312
 
Television: FOX Sports Net (FSN) - Mark Followill (play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (color analyst) and Lesley McCaslin (sideline) will call the action.
 
Radio: 1210 ESPN Deportes (WMNA 1210 AM) - Mike Levine (play-by-play) and Wes Carroll (color analyst) on the call. Fans can listen by tuning into 1210 on their AM dial or by logging onto either www.FIUSports.com or www.1210ESPNdeportes.com
 
Live Stats: www.goBlueRaiders.com
 
Live Video Streaming: N/A
 
Tickets: 305.FIU.GAME (348.4263) -or- www.FIUSports.com
 
Records: FIU enters Saturday's game with a 3-3, 1-1 C-USA record following a 52-12 win over UTEP on Saturday, Oct. 10. Middle Tennessee enters Saturday's action with a 2-4, 1-1 C-USA record following a 58-28 loss to WKU on Saturday, Oct. 10.
 
FIU Head Coach Ron Turner: Turner (Pacific, 1977) is in his third season at FIU (8-22, .267) and 12th season overall as a head coach (50-83, .376). Turner is 3-1 all-time versus the Blue Raiders.
 
Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill: Stockstill (Florida State, 1982) is in his 10th season at Middle Tennessee (59-59, .500). Stockstill is 6-3 all-time versus the Panthers.
 
Series History: Saturday will mark the 11th meeting all-time between the two programs with Middle Tennessee holding a 6-4 edge in the series history. The last meeting between the two schools resulted in a 38-28 win for the Panthers on Nov. 15, 2014, in Miami, Fla.
 
Game Seven – FIU Faces Familiar Foe in Middle Tennessee this Weekend
The Panthers are coming off one of the most-lopsided victories in school history with a 52-12 win over the UTEP Miners last Saturday and will be looking to carry that momentum into this weekend's visit to Murfreesboro, Tenn., as the Panthers clash with the Blue Raiders on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. ET as the game will be broadcast on FOX Sports Network (FSN). Mark Followill (play-by-play), Brian Baldinger (color analyst) and Lesly McCaslin (sideline) will call the action.  Fans can also listen to the game on 1210AM ESPN Deportes with Mike Levine (play-by-play) and Wes Carroll (color analyst) on the call.
 
The Panthers racked up 518 yards of total offense last Saturday as they handed the Miners a 52-12 loss during FIU's C-USA home opener. The 518 yards were the most by an FIU squad under Head Coach Ron Turner and were the most since the Panthers put up 522 yards versus Middle Tennessee on Oct. 13, 2012. The Panther scored on each of their first five possessions and posted six-straight touchdowns before recording the team's first punt of the game. FIU set a school-record for points in a half, totaling 42 in the first half on Saturday.
 
Sophomore Alex McGough completed 13-of-17 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. The 270 yards through the air were a career-high for the second-year signal caller. McGough connected with sophomore Thomas Owens for a 43-yards touchdown – the sixth time this season the two have connected for a score – and followed that with a 14-yard strike to junior Jonnu Smith.
 
Sophomore Alex Gardner scored his fourth rushing touchdown on Saturday, gaining 56 yards on 10 carries. Gardner also led the team in receiving for the third-straight game, recording five catches for a career-high 96 yards.
 
Defensively, FIU held the Miners to 12 points – a season low for the Panthers – as UTEP was forced to punt eight times. FIU held UTEP to 272 total yards of offense, including just 117 yards through the air. Senior Jeremiah McKinnon recorded his second interception of the season and second pick six of his career with a 31-yard return of a Ryan Mertz pass this past weekend. The interception for a touchdown was the first for a Panther since McKinnon's 71-yard return for a score at North Texas last season (Nov. 22, 2014). The Miami, Fla., native also recorded three tackles, including one tackle for loss.
 
Senior linebacker Jephete Matilus led FIU with nine tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss versus the Miners. Senior Richard Leonard notched seven total tackles on Saturday – three shy of his career high. The Panthers recorded 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, including redshirt freshman Mark Bruno, who record 2.0 tackles for loss.
 
On the year, FIU is averaging 26.5 points-per-game (No. 85 in the nation) while gaining 383.5 yards of total offense-per-game (No. 85 in the nation). The Panthers have the No. 38-ranked passing offense in the nation, averaging 255.2 yards-per-game through the air. McGough enters Saturday's game having completed 135-of-206 passes for 1,399 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Tampa native has thrown for 200-or-more yards in five games this season and has found the endzone in each of FIU's six games this season. McGough ranks among the top passers in the nation in both categories – No. 28 in the nation in passing yards and No. 16 in the country in touchdown passes.
 
Gardner comes into this weekend's action with 361 yards on 94 carries and four touchdowns. The Jacksonville, Fla., native ranks No. 9 in the conference in rushing, averaging 60.2 yards-per-game. McGough is second on the team with 149 yards rushing this season, following by freshman Anthony Jones (132) and senior Anthon Samuel (101).
 
Gardner leads the team in receptions (31) and has already set the school record for catches in a season by a running back. His 313 yards receiving also are a school record for receiving yards by a running back in a season. Owens is one catch behind Gardner (30) and has caught a touchdown pass in five-straight games. The Boynton Beach, Fla., native has 392 yards receiving and six touchdowns. His six touchdown catches are tied for sixth in the FIU record books for TD receptions in a season. Smith, who is third on the team with 21 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns, has caught a pass in 30-straight games.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, FIU is allowing 21.2 points-per-game (No. 41 in the nation) as the opposition is gaining 363.7 yards-per-game in total offense (No. 50 in the nation). FIU comes into Saturday's game with the No. 5-ranked defense in the red zone, nationally (66.7 percent).
 
Sophomore Anthony Wint leads all Panthers with 45 total tackles (22 solo). The linebacker has recorded 4.0 tackles for loss and one interception on the year. Leonard is second on the team with 36 total tackles. Senior Michael Wakefield leads FIU with 7.0 tackles for loss, while fellow defensive end senior Denzell Perine is second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss. Perine has a team-high 4.0 sacks entering the game against Middle Tennessee.
 
McKinnon has recorded a team-high two interceptions, including his 31-yard return for a touchdown last weekend. McKinnon also leads the team with six pass breakups.
 
Saturday will mark the 11th meeting all-time between FIU and Middle Tennessee with the Blue Raiders holding a 6-4 edge in the series history. The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a 38-28 win for the Panthers on Nov. 15, 2014, in Miami.
 
Coach Tuner will be looking for his fourth win all-time versus the Blue Raiders, holding a 3-1 mark all-time from the team from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
 
Game Notables
-  Saturday will mark FIU's fifth road game of the season.
-  FIU will look to improve to 4-3 and win the team's second-straight game.
-  FIU will look to improve to 2-1 in C-USA action this season.
-  Saturday will mark the 31st game for Head Coach Ron Turner at FIU.
-  Saturday will mark Turner's 134th game as a college head coach.
-  Saturday will mark the 11th meeting all-time versus FIU and Middle Tennessee.
-  The Blue Raiders hold a 6-4 edge in the series history.
-  FIU won the last meeting between the two team, 38-28 (Nov. 14, 2015)
-  FIU will be looking to record its 19th road victory all-time on Saturday.
-  Saturday will mark the 161st game in FIU history.
-  Coach Turner is 3-1 all-time versus Middle Tennessee.
-  Saturday will mark the team's first appearance on FSN.
-  Saturday will mark the team's 87th televised game.
-  Sophomore Thomas Owens enters Saturday having caught a touchdown pass in five-straight games.
-  Junior Jonnu Smith enters Saturday having caught a pass in 30-straight games.
 
A Quick Look at Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee fell behind early and could never recover against rival WKU during a 58-28 setback here at Houchens-Smith Stadium Saturday, Oct. 10.
 
The loss ended the Blue Raiders' four-game win streak against their C-USA rival and provided the Hilltoppers (5-1, 3-0) with their first win against Middle Tennessee at home since 1989. The four previous contests between the teams were decided by a combined 12 points and two games required overtime.
 
The 2015 installment was decided by intermission as WKU bolted to a 52-14 halftime advantage against the Blue Raiders (2-4, 1-1).
 
There were positives, such as Middle Tennessee's play in the second half when it kept WKU out of the end zone and held the 'Toppers to six points. Quarterback Brent Stockstill broke the school's freshman passing record. Stockstill was 28-of-43 for 296 yards and three touchdown passes. With the 296 yards against WKU, Stockstill now has 1,803 total passing yards on the season which breaks the previous mark of 1,763 yards set by Kelly Holcomb in 1991.
 
The receiving duo of Ed Batties and Richie James had another stellar day. James finished with seven catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns, while Batties totaled nine receptions for 44 yards and a score. Trey Pettis added five catches for 62 yards.
 
Senior tailback Jeremiah Bryson led the ground attack with 76 yards on 14 carries, including a touchdown. Bryson finished with 203 all-purpose yards as he added 124 kickoff return yards.
Quay Watt led the defense with 10 tackles, nine solo, and Kevin Byard added seven total tackles, five solo.
 
Record Watch - Richard Leonard
Senior Richard Leonard enters this Saturday's game ranked No. 2 in career kick returns (69), No. 2 in career kick return yards (1,789) and No. 2 in total return yards (2,653) in the FIU record books.
 
A Look Back at the UTEP Game
-  First game of the season where FIU scored TDs on first five opening drives.
-  With the win, FIU improves to 2-1 in C-USA home openers.
-  The Panthers have evened the series with the Miners, 1-1.
-  Saturday marked FIU's 31st home victory.
-  Alex Gardner scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
-  Jonnu Smith has now caught a pass in 30-straight games.
-  Smith's 12th career TD, tied for 4th all-time at FIU with Harold Leath (2002-2004).
-  The 21 points in first quarter were the most by the Panthers since Nov. 15, 2014 versus Middle Tennessee. Both games were played at Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
-  Jeremiah McKinnon recorded his second interception of the season to start the second quarter. The 31-yard pick six was the second interception return for a touchdown of McKinnon's career (71-yard INT for TD at North Texas – Nov. 22, 2104).
-  Shawn Abrams recorded his first-collegiate catch with a 24-yard reception midway through the second quarter. 
-  Anthony Jones rushed for a 26-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. That marked his second rushing touchdown of the season and second that was for 26 yards. 
-  FIU broke the school record for points in the first half (42). Previous record was 41 points against Jacksonville on Oct. 30, 2003. 
-  First time in school history seven different players score a TD for FIU in a single game.
- The 52 points were three shy of tying the school record (55 vs. Jacksonville on Oct. 30, 2003).
- Trey Anderson connected with Shug Oyegunle for a 79-yard touchdown pass late in the game. The score was the fourth-longest in school history. 
- The 518 yards of total offense were seventh-most in school history.
- Alex McGough finished the day with 270 yards passing completing 13-of-17 passes with two touchdowns. It marked the fifth 200-yard passing game of the season for the Tampa native.
- McGough has thrown 121 passes without an interception.
 
Now That's Some Offense
During FIU's 52-12 win over UTEP on Saturday, Oct. 10, the Panthers racked up 518 yards of total offense. That is the most yardage by a team under Head Coach Ron Turner and is the most by an FIU squad since putting up 522 yards versus Middle Tennessee on Oct. 13, 2012).
 
Home (Ocean Bank) Field Advantage
Through the six games FIU has played this season, the Panthers have totaled 2,301 yards of total offense (383.5 yards-per-game). In the team's two home games, FIU has recorded 1,008 yards of total offense (504.0 yards-per-game).
 
Points... Yeah We Can Score Points
FIU posted a school-record 42 points during the first half of the Panthers' 52-12 victory over UTEP on Saturday, Oct. 10. Scoring six touchdowns in the first half, including five-straight offensive touchdowns, FIU broke the previous mark of 41 points in a half (Jacksonville - Oct. 30, 2003). The 52 points scored in the game marked the fifth time the Panthers have reached the half-century mark and were the second-most in school history (55 vs. Jacksonville - Oct. 30, 2003).
 
Good Decisions
Sophomore Alex McGough enters Saturday's game having tossed just two picks in 206 attempts this season. The Tampa native has currently thrown 121-straight passes without an interception. That is tied for the third-longest streak in FIU history.
 
C-USA Home Openers
With FIU's 52-12 win over UTEP on Saturday, Oct. 10, FIU has improved its record in C-USA home openers to 2-1. FIU dominated Florida Atlantic last season, defeating the Owls, 38-10, on Oct. 2. Two seasons ago, the Panthers dropped a 27-24 decision to UAB in the program's first C-USA contest at Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium (Oct. 12, 2013).
 
30 and Counting
Junior Jonnu Smith enters Saturday's game having caught a pass in 30-straight games. That currently ranks tied for No. 9 among all active players, nationally.
 
            Rk.       Player   School  No.                 
           1.         D.J. Foster                   Arizona State                46                                           
            2.         Alonzo Russell              Toledo                          43                                           
            3.         Tajae Sharpe                 UMass                          40 
            4.         Rshan Caesar    ULM     41                                          
            5.         Tommylee Lewis            Northern Illinois             33                                           
            6.         Bryce Treggs                California                      32                                           
            7.         Shaq Washington          Cincinnati                      31                                           
                        Rashard Higgins            Colorado State              31                                         
                        Nelson Spruce              Colorado                      31                                           
            10.        Jonnu Smith                  FIU                               30
                        Tyler Boyd                    Pittsburgh                     30                                           
                        Jordan Williams Ball State          30                                         
 
 
TO = TDs
Sophomore Thomas Owens enters Saturday's game with a team-high six touchdown receptions this season. The Boynton Beach, Fla., native has caught a touchdown pass in each of the team's last five games.
 
200+
Sophomore Alex McGough enters Saturday's game with 1,399 yards on 135-of-206 passing (65.5 percent) and 12 touchdowns. The Tampa native has thrown for over 200 yards in five of the Panthers' six contests this season.