MIAMI (March 20, 2019) - Football returned to FIU on Wednesday as
Butch Davis and the Panthers opened spring practice. Mother Nature delayed the start of the spring season for FIU, with the originally scheduled Tuesday start being pushed back to Wednesday morning.
FIU had a few guests on Wednesday morning, as former Panther quarterback
Alex McGough stopped by, while NFL Pro Bowler Robert Quinn was also in attendance.
Entering its 18th year of football in 2019, the FIU Panthers are coming off a program-best nine wins a season ago. FIU capped 2018 with a 35-32 victory over Toledo in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl to finish the season 9-4 overall. Under legendary head coach
Butch Davis, the Panthers have earned back-to-back bowl appearances and 17 wins in the last two years.
FIU returns 17 players who earned All-CUSA honors in 2018, with Newcomer of the Year
James Morgan headlining that group.
The senior quarterback took the C-USA by storm in his first season in Miami, while eviscerating FIU's single-season passing records in the process. Morgan broke FIU's single-season record for passing yards (2,727), passing touchdowns (26), highest pass efficiency (157.6), most touchdowns responsible for (27) and total offense per play average (7.67). Morgan also claimed numerous awards in addition to C-USA Newcomer of the Year, earning C-USA Honorable Mention, C-USA Spirit of Service Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List, Davey O'Brien Great 8 List and Manning Award Stars of the Week for Oct. 15.
Joining Morgan for the headliners is senior linebacker
Sage Lewis. The senior also set his fair share of records in 2018, breaking FIU's single-season marks for most tackles (132) and most solo tackles (83). Lewis claimed All-CUSA First Team honors at the end of the season, in addition to earning Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors on Nov. 19.
FIU had a few newcomers in the crowd too, with mid-year enrollees
Alexy Jean-Baptiste,
Josh Turner,
Maleek Williams,
Henry Omu and
Logan Gunderson getting their first look in Blue & Gold threads.
The coaching side also had a few fresh faces, with newly hired and Co-Defensive Coordinator
Jerod Kruse leading the pack. FIU also made changes with
Jeff Copp taking Co-Defensive Coordinator and linebacker duties,
Kenard Lang coaching the defensive line and
Bryn Renner overseeing the cornerbacks.
The Panthers will be back in action on Thursday morning, as FIU rounds out the first week of practices at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Friday and Saturday.
2019 SPRING GAME
The 2019 FIU Football Spring Game will take place on Friday, April 12, under the lights at Riccardo Silva Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and admission is FREE to the public. The FIU Greeks will hold a championship game during halftime in conjunction with the Spring Game festivities.Gates open at 6 p.m. All alumni and fans are encouraged to enter through Gate 9 (north side of the stadium). FIU students are encouraged to enter through Gate 8 (north side of the stadium).
Following the game, fans will have the opportunity to take part in an on-field meet and greet and have the chance to collect autographs with this year's Panthers squad, scheduled to begin at approximately 8:30 p.m.
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.
