MIAMI (July 19, 2019) - FIU football's Dallas Connell has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List ahead of the 2019 season, as the reliable center earns recognition entering his final year with the Panthers. 

The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the seventeen-year old award has raised over $4.2 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. 

Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com. The winner will be recognized at the Rimington Trophy Presentation at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, January 18, 2020.  

Connell, played and started in 12 games last season, leading one of the best offensive line's in program history as the Panthers allowed a record-low eight sacks on the year to rank third in the nation. Connell helped the FIU offense rank first in average points per game (34.6), total touchdowns (58), total points (450), third-down conversion percentage (46.8), and fourth-down conversion percentage (65.2). Following the 2018 season, the Panther was named to the All-Conference USA Honorable Mention Team. 

As a reminder, season tickets for the 2019 FIU football season are now on sale. For more information, or to order your tickets by phone, please call (305) FIU-GAME.

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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.
 
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