MIAMI (Sept. 3, 2019) - FIU football opens the Conference USA slate at home on Saturday, Sept. 7 as the WKU Hilltoppers visit Riccardo Silva Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET.

For complete game notes, click here. 

SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS 
WKU lost to FCS foe Central Arkansas to open the season last Thursday night, as the Hilltoppers were topped 35-28. WKU was leading 28-14 to open the 4th quarter, but UCA rallied to score the next 21 points. WKU had a couple of impressive offensive performances despite the loss, as QB Steven Duncan finished with 304 yards passing and a score, while Gaej Walker rushed for 152 yards on the ground and found the endzone twice.

LAST TIME AGAINST WKU
The two squads last met on Oct. 27, 2018 in Bowling Green as FIU earned an impressive 38-17 victory over WKU to become bowl eligible. James Morgan led FIU on offense after passing for three touchdowns, while earning 171 yards through the air. D'Vonte Price had a huge game as well, with 119 yards on the ground and two scores. Stantley Thomas-Oliver III was a menace in the secondary, earning one interception, breaking up four passes and collecting six tackles.

FIU IN HOME OPENERS
FIU has earned a 6-11 record for home openers. The Panthers are 2-2 in their last four home openers, with their last victory in a home opener coming in 2017 against Alcorn State (game played in Birmingham due to Hurricane Irma). 

C-USA OPENERS FOR THE PANTHERS
FIU is 5-1 in Conference USA openers since joining the league in 2013, having won its last three games. The lone loss came to La Tech in 2015.

MORGAN EYES MORE GLORY
James Morgan enjoyed a breakout season in his first year with the Panthers and helped FIU to a school-record nine wins, while setting a single-season record for passing touchdowns (26) and finishing with the second-most passing yards (2,727) in school history. Morgan's 157.6 passing efficiency rating broke the single-season record at FIU, while ranking first overall in C-USA and 11th overall in the NCAA as he finished the year with C-USA Newcomer of the Year and Honorable Mention laurels. Entering 2019, Morgan has earned a spot on the Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O'Brien Award and Wuerffel Trophy Watch Lists to name a few.

CAREER HIGH FOR THOMAS-OLIVER
Stantley Thomas-Oliver III had a career-high nine tackles against Tulane last time out, with the defensive back having a very active night in the secondary. Thomas-Oliver's best game of last season came against WKU, as he earned a career-high four pass breakups to go along with an interception and six tackles. 

UP NEXT
FIU stays home next weekend as the Panthers host New Hampshire on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET. For more information, or to order your tickets by phone, please call (305) FIU-GAME or click here. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
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