MIAMI (NOV. 22, 2018) – We all know why we're here, every single last one of us. Panther Tracks should not have to explain why this weekend's game is important, but just incase all the Tryptophan you've consumed today gave you memory loss, Panther Tracks has you covered. So, put the turkey leg down, quiet the family and don't you dare think about grabbing another piece of that sweet, sweet pecan pie, because here are this week's five reasons you should see the Panthers on Saturday. CUE THE HOUSE LIGHTS!
Survive and Advance
Most things are not as easy as they seem to be. Most online purchases have hidden fees, the line is always long at your favorite dinning establishment and there is always traffic on the Turnpike. In this case, it really is that easy. If FIU scores more points than Marshall on Saturday, the Panthers win the Conference USA East division and will play for the C-USA title the following weekend.
We will not dwell on what happens if the scenario that was just described doesn't happen, but we will leave you with something else. If the Panthers take care of business and Middle Tennessee takes down West Division champion UAB, there is a very slight chance that FIU will host the 2018 C-USA Championship Game. Yes, there is a chance, but you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning or being bitten by a shark. If you want this to happen, start praying to the same computer gods that gave a certain Florida school a national championship last year.
King James' Royal Panther Air Force Strikes Again
Mo' games. Mo' records falling. Last weekend in Charlotte, we saw that FIU pass offense have a very efficient day though the air with
James Morgan throwing for 268 yards on 24-of-31, which also included
Maurice Alexander gaining 26 yards through the air on a trick play. Morgan's fourth quarter TD pass to
Anthony Jones gave the graduate transfer 26 touchdowns on the season passing a guy named Ken Dorsey's (wonder what he's up to these days) for most touchdown passes in a single season thrown by a
Butch Davis-coached quarterback. Meanwhile, back in the FIU record book, Morgan's 268 yards against Marshall placed him in sole possession of fourth-most passing yards in a season by a Panther quarterback.
You might think that fourth place is a long way off. Well, it's not. After seeking assistance from the FIU math department (shouts to those guys), we have calculated that Morgan needs 248 yards to break McGough's 2017 total of 2,798. His average is 231.8 yards per game and Marshall's pass defense ranks 61st in the nation. Do what you will with that information, but come out to The Cage on Saturday and see what happens.
Swag Surfing With Sage
All season long
Sage Lewis, very quietly, has been one of the best defensive players in Conference USA. All that changed on Saturday when the redshirt junior scooped up a fumble and returned it for 61 yards for a touchdown that ultimately proved to be the difference. When Sage isn't in the end zone or breaking up passes (he has nine pass break ups this year), he's collecting tackles like you're collecting seconds and thirds at the Thanksgiving meal today.
Everyone here at Panther Tracks has even been tackled by Sage at least once this season. While only the on-the-field take downs count in record books, he still has plenty of them to go around. Lewis, who already holds the single-season solo tackles record, only needs three tackles to break Keyonvis Bouie's record of 119 tackles in 2006. We think he has this one in the bag.
Butchin' Around
Can we all take a minute and talk about the big cat in charge?
Butch Davis has been absolute money in his second year, no matter where he is. At Miami (1996), Davis led the team to a 9-3 record and a share of the Big East title, while at North Carolina (2008) he turned around the Tar Heels for an 8-5 mark and earned the program's first ranking in almost seven years. Davis was also the last coach to take the Cleveland Browns, yes those Cleveland Browns, to the playoffs. When did he do it? 2002. His second year by the lake.
This trend didn't stop with FIU either. Just to refresh your memory, FIU is tied for the most wins in program history, in the driver's seat for the division title and has a shot to win a conference championship -- something one former
Butch Davis coached team hasn't done since 2000. No matter what happens during the rest of the season, we can all agree that the man can coach ball.
Mascot Analysis: Marco
Was anybody else aware of the large bison population living in the West Virginia mountains? The award-winning investigative team here at Panther Tracks was not either. I guess every region has it's own mysterious animal sightings. The Pacific Northwest has Bigfoot, the Southwest has the Chupacabra and West Virginia apparently has Bison sightings. To each their own, right?
The basic gist of Macro the Bison is that him and the rest of his stow away Bison friends get together to toss things around and that's how they became the Thundering Herd. Of course, there are other parts of the story, but those can only be shared privately. Sources close to Roary have confirmed that Macro does enjoy vacationing in South Florida and, in particular Key Biscayne. So if you live in that area beware of a Bison roaming about looking for leftover Thanksgiving meals or just call Roary. He'll take care of him.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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