MIAMI (Oct. 2, 2019) - FIU football welcomes UMass on Saturday, Oct. 5 as the Panthers and Minutemen square off for the fifth-straight season. 

Kickoff between the Panthers and Minutemen is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET, with the game set to air on ESPN3. For complete game notes, click here. 

SCOUTING THE MINUTEMEN
UMass enters Saturday's contest with a 1-4 record, having earned its first win of the season following a 37-29 victory over Akron last week. The quarterback position for UMass has been by committee, with the Minutemen starting three different QBs this season. Michael Curtis had the most recent success, throwing for two touchdowns and 173 yards. Cole McCubrey leads the Minutemen on defense, with 39 tackles on the year while earning a forced fumble. 

FIU ON ESPN3
FIU has already appeared on ESPN3 twice this season, with the season opener against Tulane and the matchup versus New Hampshire airing on the platform. The Panthers are 5-16 all-time on ESPN3 and 1-1 this year.

PANTHERS EXCEL IN THE PUNT RETURN DEFENSE
FIU is tied for first in the nation for its defensive efforts in the punt game. The Panthers are tied with Appalachian State for the nation's lead with -2.25 average allowed this season. 

SECURE THE BAG
The Panthers have done a great job at not turning the ball over this season, with FIU ranking second in the C-USA and 15th in the nation for that category. So far this season, FIU has only given the ball away four times. 

MORGAN SETS CAREER HIGH IN RETURN
James Morgan returned to the field for FIU against Louisiana Tech, as the quarterback threw for a career-high 394 yards. Morgan also tossed a pair of scores versus the Bulldogs, while rushing for his second career touchdown as well. 

BOOMIN' FROM THE SOONER STATE
JC transfer Tommy Heatherly has had a great start to his career at FIU, with the Oklahoma native dominating the punting game. The junior has earned a 44.1 average for punts this season, with seven over 50 so far for the year and a long of 60 against New Hampshire. Heatherly has also hit four punts inside the 20. Heatherly ranks second in the league for his 44.1 average and 25th in the nation. 

AIN'T NO MALONEY ABOUT IT
Senior Austin Maloney has averaged 20.7 per reception this season, which ranks third in the conference and 19th in the nation. Last time out, the Panther set a career-high in receiving yards with 113 versus Louisiana Tech.

UP NEXT
This Saturday's game against the Minutemen marks the first of a three-game homestretch for the Panthers with UMass (Oct. 5), Charlotte (Oct. 12 and UTEP (Oct. 19) all visiting Riccardo Silva Stadium. For more information, or to order your tickets by phone, please call (305) FIU-GAME or click here. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
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