FIU: (0-4, 0-0 C-USA) (0-3 home)
	Florida Atlantic: (1-3) (0-2 away)

 

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Date: Oct. 1, 2016
 Location: Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium (FieldTurf) (20,000) in Miami, Florida.
 Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
 Press Box Phone: 305.348.1898
 Television: beIN Sports - Matt Martucci (play-by-play), Brett Romberg (color analyst) and Jordan Daigle (sideline) will call the action.
 Radio: AM 790 The Ticket (WAXY AM 790) - Josh Appel (play-by-play) and Wes Carroll (color analyst) on the call. Fans can listen by tuning into 790 on their AM dial or by logging onto either www.FIUSports.com or www.theticketmiami.com
 Live Stats: www.FIUSports.com
 Live Video Streaming: beINSportsconnect.tv
 Tickets: 305.FIU.GAME (348.4263) -or- www.FIUSports.com
 Records: FIU enters Saturday's game with an 0-4 record following a 53-14 loss to UCF on Saturday, Sept. 24. Florida Atlantic comes into this week's action with a 1-3 mark after a 31-27 loss versus Ball State on Saturday, Sept. 24.
 FIU Interim Head Coach Ron Cooper: Cooper (Jacksonville State, 1983) is in his first season as interim head coach (0-0, .000) and 10th season overall as a head coach (44-56, .440). Cooper is 22-33 as an FBS head coach and 22-23 as an FCS head coach. He has never faced Florida Atlantic.
 Florida Atlantic Head Coach Charlie Partridge: Partridge (Drake, 1995) is in his third season at Florida Atlantic (7-21, .250). Partridge is 1-1 all-time versus the Panthers.
 Series History: Saturday will mark the 15th meeting all-time between the two programs with FAU holding a 10-3 edge in the series history (10-4 actual on-field record - FIU vacated a win due to NCAA sanctions). The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a 31-17 win for the Owls on Oct. 31, 2015, in Boca Raton, Florida.

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Saturday will mark the 15th edition of the annual Shula Bowl as FIU hosts Florida Atlantic in the Conference USA opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on beIN Sports with Matt Martucci (play-by-play), Brett Romberg (color analyst) and Jordan Daigle (sideline) calling the action. Fans can also listen to the game on AM 790 the Ticket, the Panthers' official radio broadcast home for the 2016 season. Josh Appel (play-by-play) and Wes Carroll (color analyst) will be in the booth all season long.
 
With the non-conference portion of the schedule complete, the Panthers can now turn their focus towards league play and the visiting Owls. The last time FAU made a visit to Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium, the Panthers handed the Owls a 38-10 loss (Oct. 2, 2014). During that contest, FIU's defense forced four turnovers, including a 100-yard fumble return by Richard Leonard. Having faced each other in each of the last 14 years, FAU holds a 10-4 edge in the series history with FIU winning three of the last five meetings.
 
The Panthers will look to rebound following a rough outing against UCF last week in which FIU recorded 189 yard of total offense. During the team's outing versus the Knights sophomore Anthony Jones registered his first rushing touchdown of the season, while freshman Stantley Thomas grabbed his first collegiate touchdown. 
 
The Panthers are led offensively by running back Alex Gardner, who comes into this week's action averaging 5.1 yards-per-carry. The Jacksonville, Florida, native has rushed for a team-high three touchdown this season and is tied for No. 3 all-time at FIU in career scores (13). Senior Jonnu Smith recorded two catches versus UCF to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 36 (second-longest streak in school history – 44-straight by Cory McKinney - 2002-2005).
 
Defensively, FIU is led by junior Anthony Wint, who is coming off an 11-tackle performance versus UCF. The Homestead, Florida, native is second in Conference USA in tackling, averaging 10.9 tackles-per-game. Fellow linebacker Treyvon Williams tied his career-high in tackles last week (13), while notching career-highs in sacks (2.0) and tackles for loss (3.0). On the year both Wint and Williams have recorded a combined for 85 tackles – the most by any teammates in C-USA.  
 
This will mark Interim Head Coach Ron Cooper's first game at the helm. Cooper has never faced the Owls. 
 
Game Notables
-  Saturday will be the fourth home game for the Panthers this season.
-  Saturday will mark the first conference game for both schools this season.
-  FIU will look to improve to 1-4 on the year.
-  FIU will look to improve to 18-37 all-time in the month of October.
-  Saturday will mark the first game for Interim Head Coach Ron Cooper at FIU.
-  Saturday will mark Cooper's 101st game as a college head coach (both FBS and FCS).
-  Saturday will mark the 15th meeting all-time between FIU and Florida Atlantic.
-  FAU leads the series history, 10-3 (10-4 actual on-field record. FIU vacated a win due to NCAA sanctions).
-  FIU has won three of the last five meetings with the Owls.
-  FIU is 22-36 all-time versus teams from Conference USA.
-  Saturday will mark FIU's 94th televised game all-time (25-68).
-  Saturday will mark the Panthers' second game on beIN Sports (0-1).
-  FIU will be looking to record its 34th home victory all-time on Saturday.
-  Saturday will mark the 171st game in FIU history.
-  Saturday will mark Coach Cooper's first meeting with the Owls.
 
Ron Cooper Named Interim Head Coach
On Sunday, Sept. 25, Ron Cooper was named interim head coach of the FIU football team. Cooper, who entered the year as the team's defensive coordinator also served as the team's defensive backs coach in 2015.
 
This marks Cooper's fourth head coaching stint (Eastern Michigan – 1993-1994; Louisville – 1995-1997; Alabama A&M – 1998-2001). Saturday will mark his 101st game as a collegiate head coach (FBS and FCS).
 
Familiar Faces
The 2016 FIU schedule features no first-time opponents on it. This marks the first time in FIU history that the Panthers will not face at least one first-time opponent in a season. In the 15-year history of FIU football, the Panthers have faced 61 different schools from 23 different states as well as the District of Columbia.
 
Versus the Sunshine State
Saturday's game with Florida Atlantic will be the second of two-straight versus teams from the state of Florida. The Panthers have faced a total of seven schools from the Sunshine State and own a 6-22 record versus those schools. FIU has the most victories over Florida Atlantic (4) followed by two versus UCF.
 
Shula Bowl XV
Saturday will mark the 15th edition of the annual Shula Bowl between FIU and Florida Atlantic. Despite the winning last year's contest, 31-17, FIU has taking three of the last five meetings between the two teams. Saturday will be the seventh Shula Bowl held at Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium with the series tied a 3-3 in those contests. 
 
Series MVPs

Year	FIU MVP	FAU MVP
2002	Jerrid Lundstedt (RB)	Jared Allen (QB)
2003	Adam Gorman (RB)	Jared Allen (QB)
2004	Cory McKinney (WR)	Jared Allen (QB)
2005	Ben West (RB)	Thomas Parker (WR)
2006	Chandler Williams (WR)	Rusty Smith (QB)
2007	A'mod Ned (RB)	Rusty Smith (QB)
2008	Paul McCall (QB)	Rusty Smith (QB)
2009	Daunte Owens (RB)	Alfred Morris (RB)
2010	T.Y. Hilton (WR)	Lester Jean (WR)
2011	Kedrick Rhodes (RB)	Alfred Morris (RB)
2012	Jake Medlock (QB)	William Dukes (WR)
2013	Markeith Russell (LB)	Martin Wright (DE)
2014	Richard Leonard (CB)	Lucky Whitehead (WR)

Thomas' First TD
Freshman Stantley Thomas registered his first collegiate touchdown receptions during FIU's contest with UCF on Saturday, Sept. 24. The reception was a 17-yard strike from Alex McGough during the fourth quarter.
 
Dynamic Duo
Linebackers Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams have combined for 85 total tackles through the team's first four games. That is the most by and pair of players from a Conference USA team this season as they are the only teammates that rank in the top five among all league players. Wint, who had 11 tackles versus the Knights, leads FIU with 43 tackles. The Homestead, Florida, native ranks No. 2 in the conference and No. 9 nationally in tackles-per-game (10.8). Williams, who tied his career high in total tackles versus UCF (13), is second on the team with 42. The Miami product is tied for No. 3 in the conference and No. 13 nationally in tackles-per-game (10.5).
 
TO in the Return Game
Junior wide out Thomas Owens has returned five punts for 80 yards this season, good for an average of 16.0 yards-per-return. That is good for the top average in the conference and No. 14 nationally.
 
Consecutive Catches - 36
Senior Jonnu Smith enters Saturday's game with a pass reception in 36-consecutive games. That is the seventh-longest streak in the nation.
 

Player, School	Games
Robert Davis, Georgia State	40
Corey Davis, Western Michigan	40
Zach Pascal, Old Dominion	40
Zay Jones, East Carolina	39
Taquan Mizzell, Virginia	37
Nate Phillips, Arizona	37
Jonnu Smith, FIU	36
Ronnie Moore, Bowling Green	34
River Carcraft, Washington State	32
JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC	31
Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech	31
Jordan Westerkamp, Nebraska	30
KD Cannon, Baylor	30
DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State	30
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford	29
Corey Jones, Toledo	28
Cam Serigne, Wake Forest	28
Allen Lazard, Iowa State	27
Victor Bolden Jr., Oregon State	27
Thomas Sperbeck, Boise State	26
Fred Ross, Mississippi State	26
Artavis Scott, Clemson	26
Amara Darboh, Michigan	24
Jordan Villamin, Oregon State	24
Keon Hatcher, Arkansas	23
Jerico Richardson, Nevada	23
Tanner Gentry, Wyoming	23
James Washington, Oklahoma State	23
Travis Rudolph, Florida State	22
Nicholas Norris, Western Kentucky	22
Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky	21
Jake Maulhardt, Wyoming	21

 
In October
FIU will play five games during the month of October this season. The Panthers enter Saturday's gmae with Florida Atlantic with a 17-37 record all-time during the 10th month of the year.   
 
First-Time Starters
Two Panthers made their first-career starts during FIU's contest versus UCF. Quarterback Maurice Alexander and defensive end Jermain Sheriff got their first starts at FIU last Saturday.
           
FIU - Florida Atlantic Connections
Below are members of both teams that went to the same high school:
 
Hialeah (Hialeah, Florida)
FIU - Nike Gonzalez, Pol Guzman, Jermaine Sheriff
FAU - Henry Bussey III
 
Booker T. Washington (Miami, Florida)
FIU - Maurice Alexander, Darrius Scott, Jose Borregales
FAU - Ocie Rose
 
Fletcher (Neptune Beach, Florida)
FIU - Sam Medlock, Andrew Burgess, Shawn Abrams, Jacob Kraut
FAU - Kalib Woods
 
North Miami (North Miami, Florida)
FIU - Jean Estinor
FAU - Tavaris Harrison
 
Homestead (Homestead, Florida)
FIU - Anthony Wint
FAU - Rashad Smith
 
Coral Gables (Coral Gables, Florida)
FIU - Shakur Cooper, Wendell Ashley
FAU - Gregory Howell, Jr.
 
Miami Norland (Miami, Florida)
FIU - Treyvon Williams
FAU - Tony Thomas
 
Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)
FIU - Milord Juste, Hunter Arbit, James Cruise
FAU - J'Quan Napier
 
The First Academy (Orlando, Florida)
FIU - Chris Miller
FAU - Landon Scheer
 
Mandarin (Jacksonville, Florida)
FIU - Tyler Greenlee
FAU - Kamrin Solomon, Jacob Douglas
 
American Heritage (Plantation, Florida)
FIU - Kyle Perez, Scott Wade
FAU - Bradley Clement
 
North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Florida)
FIU - R.J. Harris
FAU - Marcus Clark
 
First Coast (Jacksonville, Florida)
FIU - Dallas Connell, Douglas Connell
FAU - Raekwon Williams, Alfred Ansley III
 
Oak Ridge (Orlando, Florida)
FIU - Daquane Wilkie
FAU - Chris Tooley
 
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
FIU - Kai Absheer
FAU - James Charles, Jake Stewart, Austin Bland
 
Westminster Christian (Palmetto Bay, Florida)
FIU - Tony Gaiter IV, Khairi Reaser
FAU - John Raine, Robbie Stewart
 
Atlantic Community (Delray Beach, Florida)
FIU - Thomas Owens, Shawndarrius Phillips
FAU - Chanler Raynard Ferguson
 
Plant City (Plant City, Florida)
FIU - John Broome
FAU - Cory Cotnoir
 
Mainland (Daytona Beach, Florida)
FIU - Deonte Wilson
FAU - Kevin McCray
 
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
FIU - Stone Wilson
FAU - Matt Murphy
 
Suncoast (Riviera Beach, Florida)
FIU - Davison Colimon
FAU - Matthew Weiner
 
Miami Central (Miami, Florida)
FIU - Anthony Jones, Fermin Silva, Olin Cushion III, Jordan Hinojosa
FAU - Reggie Bain
 
Lake Mary (Lake Mary, Florida)
FIU - Charlie Peterson
FAU - Sidney Smith
 
Miami Carol City (Miami Gardens, Florida)
FIU - Tyree Johnson
FAU - Nick Richardson
 
100-Yard Rusher
Junior Alex Gardner notched his sixth 100-yard game, registering 130 yards on 23 carries at UMass. The 130 yards were the second-most in Gardner's career (138 vs. Wagner - 9/6/14). The six 100-yard games rank third in the FIU record books for the most 100-yard games by a Panther.
 
New Guy on the Line
Last week sophomore Neal Mars earned his first start. The native of Orange Park, Florida, made his ninth-career appearance during FIU's game with UCF on a line that featured linemen, who have made 10-or-more starts in their career - Dieugot Joseph (18 starts), Michael Montero (17 starts), Kai Absheer (10 starts) and Trenton Saunders (12 starts). 
 
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For the latest information on Panthers football, follow us on Twitter, @FIUFootball, and check out Pete Pelegrin's in-depth coverage of FIU Athletics on his official blog, The Prowl, at www.FIUSports.com.

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2016 FIU Football Schedule
Sept. 1          INDIANA – L, 13-34
Sept. 9          MARYLAND – L, 14-41
Sept. 17         at UMass – L, 13-21
Sept. 24         UCF - L, 14-53
Oct. 1            FLORIDA ATLANTIC* [beIN]; 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 8            at UTEP; 8:00 p.m.
Oct. 15          at Charlotte; 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 22          LOUISIANA TECH* [ESPN3] (Homecoming); 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 29          MIDDLE TENNESSEE* [ESPN3]; 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 5           at WKU* [beIN]; 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 19          MARSHALL* [ASN]; 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 26          at Old Dominion* [ESPN3]; 3:30 p.m.
 
* denotes Conference USA Games
 Home games at Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium are capitalized and bolded;

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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.