By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

The last two seasons FIU has had a rough time of it against UMass losing twice in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Panthers hope a change of venue and an improved FIU team will make the difference this time.

Two years ago in a 24-14 loss to UMass, FIU totaled just 188 yards of offense. Last season in a 21-13 defeat the Panthers scored just one touchdown.

FIU (7-4) seeks a program-record tying eighth win on Saturday but it won't be easy despite the Minutemen (4-7) having a below .500 record.

UMass started the season 0-6 but all six losses were by 10 points or less and four of the six losses were a one possession loss against some good competition.

UMass lost by three at Hawaii in the season opener, lost by eight to Temple coached by former FIU defensive coordinator and current Owls coach Geoff Collins. UMass also lost by four points to Tennessee, who was then-receiving votes in the Top 25.

Since then the Minutemen have won four of their last five games and their lone loss to then-No. 21 Mississippi State, who UMass led 20-13 at halftime.

"Early in the season they got off to a tough start but they played some good teams," FIU coach Butch Davis said. "They were in the fight completely against Tennessee. Their most recent loss was against Mississippi State and that was an unbelievable fight and Mississippi State had their hands full."

Any thoughts of an easy regular season finale for the Panthers before their bowl game have been erased by the Minutemen's play down the stretch of the season.

Like WKU, UMass has a solid quarterback in Andrew Ford, who is 23^rd in the nation in passing efficiency. Ford picked apart the FIU defense last season with 278 yards and three touchdowns. This season Ford has 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions – which ties him for the third fewest interceptions in the nation.

Ford's top two targets are receiver Andy Isabella (925 yards, 9 TDs) and one of the top tight ends in the country in Adam Breneman (715 yds, 3 TDs). The Minutemen can also run the ball with Marquis Young, who is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has 857 rushing yards with 8 TDs.

One key to UMass's turnaround has been turnovers. The Minutemen defense only had two (one fumble recovery, one interception) in the first six games of the season. In the last five games the UMass defense has 16 turnovers (five fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions).

"One of the biggest differences has been their defense," Davis said. "Early in the season I think they had only created one turnover and now they got 16. They have been doing a lot of good things in the secondary and putting pressure on the quarterback. We got to get ourselves prepared."

UMass, which last played two weeks ago at BYU, had four interceptions against the Cougars in a 16-10 win.

Cornerbacks Lee Moses (4 INTs) and Isaiah Rodgers (3 INTs) lead the UMass secondary. Each player has a pick six this season.

Linebacker Bryton Barr tops UMass with 93 tackles. Defensive lineman Da'Sean Downey leads the Minutemen with six sacks.

The early 12 p.m. kickoff could play a factor Saturday. FIU's earliest kickoff this season was 2:30 p.m. at Marshall. UMass has played two 12 p.m. games this season at Tennessee and at Mississippi State. The Panthers have three days to prepare for this game. The Minutemen have been off for the last two weeks.