FIU: (0-0, 0-0 C-USA) (0-0 away)
UCF: (0-0, 0-0 AAC) (0-0 home)
 
Date: Sept. 3, 2015
 
Location: Bright House Networks Stadium (Bermuda Grass) (44,206) in Orlando, Fla.
 
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
 
Press Box Phone: 407.822.0386
 
Television: CBS Sports Network (CBS SN) - Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Corey Chavous (color analyst) and Lauren Gardner (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.espndeportesmiami.com/com
 
Live Stats: www.UCFKnights.com
 
Live Video Streaming: N/A
 
Tickets: 305.FIU.GAME (348.4263) -or- www.FIUSports.com
 
Records: Thursday's contest will mark the season openers for both FIU and UCF.
 
FIU Head Coach Ron Turner: Turner (Pacific, 1977) is in his third season at FIU (5-19, .208) and 12th season overall as a head coach (47-80, .370). Turner is 0-1 all-time versus the Knights.
 
UCF Head Coach George O'Leary: O'Leary (New Hampshire, 1969) is in his 12th season at UCF (81-60, .574) and 19th season overall (133-93, .588). O'Leary is 2-1 all-time versus FIU.
 
Series History: Thursday will mark the fourth meeting all-time between FIU and UCF with the Knights holding a 2-1 edge in the series history. The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a 38-0 win for UCF on Sept. 7, 2013 in Miami, Fla.
 
Game One – FIU Travels to UCF for Season Opener Thursday
The 2015 season kicks off on Thursday as FIU travels to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Knights. The game is set for 6 p.m. from Bright House Networks Stadium and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Corey Chavous (color analyst) and Lauren Gardner (sideline) calling the action. Fans can also listen to the contest on 1210AM ESPN Deportes with Mike Levine (play-by-play) and Wes Carroll (color analyst) on the call.
 
FIU enters the 2015 season, coming off last year's 4-8 record in which the team lost four games in the final minute by three points or less. Returning 98.7 percent of its total rushing yards (1,482-of-1,502), 83.3 percent of its passing yards (1,680-of-2,016), 66.1 percent of its total receptions (113-of-171), 59.6 percent of its receiving yards (1,208-of-2,016) and 87.0 percent of its total scoring from the 2014 season (240-of-276), FIU comes into this season looking to build off of last year's improvements.
 
Offensively, the Panthers return starting quarterback and All-Conference USA Freshman selection Alex McGough, who tossed 1,680 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. The Tampa native also rushed for four scores in 2014. McGough's 14 passing TDs were third-most in school history, while his yards through the air ranked No. 10 all-time at FIU.
 
In the backfield, the duo of senior Anthon Samuel and sophomore Alex Gardner return for the Panthers. The pair combined for 1,164 yards on the ground (582 yards each) with Samuel finding the endzone five times and Gardner earning All-C-USA Freshman honors.
 
FIU's biggest offensive threat Jonnu Smith looks to build off of an impressive sophomore season. The John Mackey Award Watch List selection led the nation among tight ends in yards (710), receptions (61) and touchdowns (8). A First-Team All-C-USA honoree and SI.com All-America Honorable Mention, Smith set the school record for receiving touchdowns in a single season. The Ocala, Fla., product enters Thursday's game having registered a catch in 24-straight contests.  
 
FIU's defense had a stellar 2014 campaign. The Panthers ranked No. 35 in the nation in total defense (363.8 ypg), No. 40 in scoring defense (24.8 ppg), No. 28 in Third Down Conversion Defense (35.8 percent), and scored a conference-best six defensive touchdowns (No. 2 in the nation), including a school-record five interceptions for TDs.
 
Senior Richard Leonard has been the face of the defense during the offseason. The First-Team All-C-USA selection in 2014 and preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List honoree, picked off five passes and recovered four fumbles last season. The C-USA's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year was a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week and a two-time C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week last season, becoming the first player in C-USA history to accomplish this feat.
 
On the defensive line, FIU will be led by a pair of defensive ends that have been recognized as two of the top defensive ends in all of college football. Seniors Michael Wakefield and Denzell Perine were named to the Preseason Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.  Wakefield was a Second-Team All-C-USA selection, notching 8.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, while Perine was an All-C-USA Honorable Mention after tallying 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
 
The special team's focus has been on Leonard, who ranks in the top five in nearly all return records in the FIU record books, including the most punt return yards in a season (309 in 2014). Kicker Austin Taylor enters his junior season having converted 23-of-33 field goal attempts and 40-of-42 extra point attempts during his career.
 
Thursday's game will mark the Panthers' third road game to start the season in the last four years. FIU is also looking to snap a string of three-straight losses to start the season. It will mark the fourth meeting all-time between FIU and UCF and first visit by the Panthers to Bright House Networks Stadium since the 2012 season (a 33-20 loss on Sept. 15, 2012).
 
Game Notables
-  FIU opens the season with 4-of-5 contests on the road.
-  Thursday will mark the 25th game for Head Coach Ron Turner at FIU.
-  Thursday will mark Turner's 128th game as a college head coach.
-  Thursday will mark FIU's fourth meeting all-time with UCF.
-  FIU is 0-1 versus the Knights in Orlando.
-  FIU will be looking to record its 18th road victory all-time on Thursday.
-  Thursday's will mark the 155th game in FIU history.
-  Thursday will mark the 81st televised game in FIU history.
-  Thursday will mark the second game in FIU history to be televised on CBS Sports Network.
-  FIU will be looking to snap a two-game losing skid to the Knights.
-  Thursday will mark just the fifth time FIU will open the season in the state of Florida (2-2 all-time).
-  FIU will be playing in its eighth Thursday contest all-time (4-3) and third Thursday contests to start the season (2-0 all-time).
 
A Quick Look at UCF
UCF is coming its second-straight American Athletic Conference title and third-straight bowl appearance after going 9-4 in 2014.
 
The Knights are led by running back William Stanback, who rushed for 697 yards on 189 carries with 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Holman completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 2,952 yards and 23 touchdowns.
 
UCF's defense ranked No. 5 nationally (298.5 yards-per-game), allowing 104.3 rushing yards-per-game (No. 6 nationally) and 19.2 points-per-game (No. 9 nationally).
 
24 and Counting
Junior Jonnu Smith enters Thursday's game having caught a pass in 24-straight games. That currently ranks tied for No. 12 among all active players, nationally.
 
Thursday Game
FIU's contest with UCF will mark the Panthers' eighth Thursday contest in school history. In FIU's previous seven Thursday contest, the Panthers have gone 4-3. It will also mark just the third time FIU will start the season on a Thursday, having won its previous two outings, including a 41-16 win over North Texas to start the 2011 season (Sept. 1).
 
Record Watch - Richard Leonard
Senior Richard Leonard enters this Thursday's game ranked No. 3 in career kick returns (57), No. 3 in career kick return yards (1,518) and No. 2 in total return yards (2,286) in the FIU record books.
 
Road Trip
With only four road games during the 2014 season, FIU will play seven games away from Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium, including four of its first five games to start the season.
 
On CBS Sports Network
Thursday's contest will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and will mark just the second time in school history that FIU will play in a game air on this station. The only other time FIU has appeared on CBS SN, the Panthers hosted UCF on Sept. 5, 2013. The Knights won that contest, 38-0.
 
High Percentages Returning
FIU returns 98.7 percent of its total rushing yards (1,482-of-1,502), 83.3 percent of its passing yards (1,680-of-2,016), 66.1 percent of its total receptions (113-of-171), 59.6 percent of its receiving yards (1,208-of-2,016( and 87.0 percent of its total scoring from the 2014 season (240-of-276).
 
The Defense Made its Mark in 2014
In 2014, FIU's defense made an impact. The Panthers ranked No. 35 in the nation in total defense (363.8 ypg), No. 40 in scoring defense (24.8 ppg), No. 28 in Third Down Conversion Defense (35.8 percent), and scored a conference-best six defensive touchdowns (No. 2 in the nation), including a school-record five interceptions for TDs.
 
New Faces on the Coaching Staff for 2015
The FIU Coaching staff added five new members this past offseason.  Ron Cooper (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Secondary), Matt House (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), Tim Harris, Jr. (Running Backs), Tem Lukabu (Defensive Line) and Greg Moss (Cornerbacks) joined Turner's staff this past spring. That makes eight assistant coaches in Turner's three years at FIU move on to other opportunities in both the college and professional ranks. From NFL clubs like Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Carolina to college programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Southeastern Conference and the American Athletic Conference
 
First-Time Opponents in 2015
- FIU will faced four first-time opponents in 2015.
- In its history, 2002-14, FIU is 16-41 in first-time meetings with its 57 all-time opponents.
- Three of FIU's four first-time opponents will be visiting Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium this season.
 
FIU and the Sunshine State
- In its 14-year history, FIU has played against eight of 10 FBS or FCS programs in Florida.
- FIU will play two Sunshine State schools in 2015 (UCF and Florida Atlantic).
- FIU has played Bethune-Cookman (0-4), Florida (0-1), Florida A&M (0-0/2-0#), Florida Atlantic (3-9/4-9#), Jacksonville (1-0/2-0#), Miami (0-2), UCF (1-2) and USF (0-2). [# - wins from 2003-05 were vacated].
- The only FBS or FCS schools FIU has not faced are Florida State and Stetson, which just brought back its football program in 2013.
 
This Could Be A Big Year for Mr. Smith
Junior Jonnu Smith enters his junior season as No. 2 all-time among tight ends at FIU in career receptions (100) and career receiving yards (1,098). He is coming off a 61-reception, 710-yard season (both single-season records for tight ends), while his eight receiving touchdowns in 2014 set the school mark for receiving scores in a season, breaking the previous mark set by T.Y. Hilton (2008 & 2011) and Cory McKinney (2002).
 
Budwig to Miss Season
Junior Jordan Budwig will miss the season due to shoulder surgery. The Davie, Fla., native played and started at left guard for the Panthers in all 12 games last season.
 
Injury Bug Hits the Backfield
The FIU backfield took a hit during fall camp as sophomore running back Napoleon Maxwell will miss the 2015 season with a knee injury. Maxwell rushed for 254 yards on 55 carries with one touchdown during his freshman campaign.
 
Leonard on Thorpe Watch List
Senior cornerback Richard Leonard was been named to the 2015 Preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List announced on July 13. Leonard is listed among 42 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing eleven conferences.
 
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
 
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 10, 2015 on ESPN.
 
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 in Oklahoma City, OK.
 
Wakefield and Perine Named to the 2015 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List
The Rotary Lombardi Award Committee released the 2015 watch list for this year's Rotary Lombardi Award and seniors Michael Wakefield and Denzell Perine have been selected, the committee announced on July 14.
 
Smith on Mackey Watch List
Junior Jonnu Smith has been named to the 2015 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List announced on July 8. Smith is one of 33 student-athletes named to the preseason watch list for the nation's top tight end.
Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2015 John Mackey recipient will be announced on December 9, 2015 and then presented live on December 10, 2015 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.
       
Phil Steele Likes Eight Panthers
Phil Steele's 2015 Preseason All-Conference USA Teams were announced on June 1 and FIU football had eight players that were recognized. Junior Jonnu Smith, senior Michael Wakefield, senior Denzell Perine and senior Richard Leonard were named a first-team selection, while sophomore Anthony Wint received second-team honors and junior Jordan Budwig, senior Clinton Taylor and senior Davison Colimon were named to the fourth team.
 
Not to Be Outdone, Athlon Recognizes Nine
Athlon Sports' 2015 Preseason All-Conference USA Teams were announced on June 10 and FIU football had nine players recognized. Junior Jonnu Smith, seniors Michael Wakefield and Richard Leonard were named a first-team selection, while junior Jordan Budwig and seniors Aaron Nielsen, Denzell Perine and Davison Colimon received third-team honors. Juniors Treyvon Williams and Austin Taylor were named to the fourth team.
 
Preseason Defensive POY; Four Preseason All-C-USA Selections
Four Panthers have been recognized in this year's 2015 preseason Conference USA Football awards, as chosen by the league's 13 head coaches on July 14.  Senior Richard Leonard has been named the league's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, juniors Jordan Budwig and Jonnu Smith and senior Michael Wakefield earned preseason all-conference honors.
 
100 Catches and Counting
Junior Jonnu Smith enters Thursday's contest with 100 catches for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns for his career. He is just the eighth player and second tight end to have over 100 catches and over 1,000 yards receiving. 
 
McGough Climbing the Charts
After just one season under center, sophomore Alex McGough is already in the school's top 10 in career completions (138), attempts (274), passing yards (1,680) and passing touchdowns (14).