MIAMI (Oct. 30, 2018) – FIU looks to continue its best start in program history on Saturday, Nov. 3 as the Panthers welcome the Florida Atlantic Owls to the Riccardo Silva Stadium at 7:30 ET.
For the complete game notes,
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FAU PREVIEW
FAU has stumbled out of the gate to start 2018, with the Owls owning a 3-5 record this season. FAU owns wins over Air Force (33-27), Bethune Cookman (49-28) and Old Dominion (52-33). Devin Singletary leads the Owls offensive attack, ranking first in the C-USA after gaining 837 yards on the ground this season.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE OWLS
Florida Atlantic won last year's meeting, 52-24, clinching the C-USA East Division and earning the right to host the 2017 title game. Jason Driskel threw four TD passes and Singletary ran for 164 yards and two scores for the Owls, while
Alex McGough threw two touchdowns for the Panthers.
LAST TIME OUT
FIU exploded for 24 second half points including a 58-yard touchdown scamper by D'vonte Price in the fourth quarter to seal the Panthers' second-straight bowl eligible season.
EARLY BOWLING FOR FIU
FIU won its sixth game against WKU on Oct. 27, marking the earliest that a Panther squad has become bowl eligible in program history. This is only the fourth time FIU has been bowl eligible and second-straight season under head coach
Butch Davis.
KING OF THE JUNGLE
FIU is 4-0 in C-USA play for the first time since joining the league in 2013. The 4-0 start in league action is FIU's best in any conference period, dating back to its Sun Belt days.
THE BOWL PICTURE SO FAR
Bowl eligible (4): FIU, LA Tech, North Texas, UAB
Only one win needed (2): Marshall, Middle Tennessee
In the hunt (4): Charlotte, FAU, USM, UTSA
LATE-GAME PANTHERS
Over the course of the 2018 season, the Panthers have outscored foes 62-20 in fourth quarter. Before last week's two scores given up to WKU, the Panthers had not allowed a fourth quarter touchdown since the 2017 bowl game. Furthermore, if the Panthers hold a lead heading into the fourth quarter, FIU is 5-0 this season.
MOVING THE CHAINS
FIU has moved the chains on third downs this season, converting 50-of-106 attempts to earn a 47.2% conversion rate. That total ranks first in the C-USA and 16th in the nation.
BACK ON STADIUM
FIU is 3-1 all-time on Stadium, with all four games coming last season. The Panthers' only loss has been to FAU on their last appearance on the network.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Sophomore
D'Vonte Price has gashed opposing defenses recently, rushing for 198 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns over the past two games. Price leads the team in yards rushing with 427, averages 6.8 yards per rush and has found the endzone five times this season.
THROW IT TO WORTON
Redshirt junior
CJ Worton has been highly productive this season, catching 24 passes for 499 yards. Worton averages 20.8 yards per catch, which ranks second in the league.
LEWIS AMONG NATION'S BEST
Redshirt junior
Sage Lewis has earned 88 tackles this season, averaging 11.0 tackles per contest. That total ranks second in the C-USA and 16th in the nation.
UP THE CHARTS
James Morgan has thrown 19 touchdowns this season, which is the second-most in a single season at FIU. The number is only behind
Alex McGough's 21 set in 2015.
GOLDEN YEAR
Graduate transfer
James Morgan has had a great year for FIU this season, ranking among the top of most C-USA passing categories.
Category - Total (C-USA Ranking) (NCAA Ranking)
TDs Responsible For - 20 (2nd)
Passing TDs - 19 (2nd)
Passing Yards - 1,768 (5th)
Completion Percentage - 65.2% (5th)
Passing Yards Per Attempt - 8.8 (1st) (13th)
Passer Rating - 166.3 (1st) (9th)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
