MIAMI (Oct. 14, 2020) – FIU hits the road for the second time this season, as the Panthers travel to the Charlotte 49ers for a Saturday night showdown.
Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. ET at Jerry Richardson Stadium and will be aired nationally on ESPNU. Fans can also listen to “Voice of the Panthers” AJ Ricketts on radio via Caracol 1260AM.
For this week’s complete game notes, click here.
SCOUTING THE 49ERS
Charlotte picked up its first win of the season last time out, as the 49ers pulled away from host North Texas in a 49-21 victory. Chris Reynolds led the 49ers through the air, racking up 290 yards on 15-of-22 passing and a pair of scores. Aaron McAllister gained 140 yards on the ground and a touchdown, while also being on the receiving end of a 71-yard score.
LAST TIME VS. CHARLOTTE
FIU rushed its way to a 48-23 victory over Charlotte on Oct. 12, 2019 as the Panthers had two running backs cross the century mark. FIU trailed 10-7 entering the second quarter, but scored 21-unanswered points as the Panthers took control of the game for good. Former Panther backs Anthony Jones (117) and Napoleon Maxwell (114) each eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground, while QB James Morgan tossed a pair of touchdowns and threw for 160 yards.
FIU ON ESPNU
FIU’s road tilt at Charlotte this Saturday will appear on ESPNU, marking the third-straight game the Panthers will have played on the network. The appearance this Saturday will be just the 10th overall for the football program. FIU is 1-8 on the network, with its only win coming in a 34-24 victory over FAU in 2012.
ALL-PURPOSE FLEX
After opening the year with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, sophomore Lexington “Flex” Joseph has turned heads. Joseph has averaged 33.5 yards per kickoff return this season, which tops the conference and ranks seventh in the country. Overall, the sophomore has earned 368 kickoff return yards which is the most in the nation. The sophomore has not only made his presence felt on special teams, but also on the offense as he has averaged 200.0 all-purpose yards per game. That total ranks third in the country.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Senior D’vonte Price opened the season with a pair of 100-yard rushing games. Price earned a career-best 148 yards on the ground at Liberty, before his 112 versus MTSU. Price has had TD runs of 65, 30 and 65 yards, which gives him a 10.0 yards per carry average. That tops the C-USA and ranks fourth in the country. Additionally, Price has earned 130.0 yards rushing per game this season, which leads the league and ranks fifth in the nation.
TWO BACKS OVER 100
Shaun Peterson and D’vonte Price each eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark against Middle Tennessee. The occurrence marked just the eighth time an FIU running back pair has each earned over 100 yards rushing in a single game. Overall, it is the fourth time during the Butch Davis era that it has happened.
PANTHER RUSHING ATTACK
FIU has had great success running the ball so far this season, with the Panthers averaging 219.0 yards per game. That total ranks 13th in the nation and second in C-USA.
PANTHERS BEHIND THE LINE
FIU’s defense has earned 18 tackles for loss this season in only two games, to give the Panthers a 9.0 TFL average per contest. That total is tied for ninth-highest in the nation and second best in C-USA. The Panther duo of Jason Mercier and Tevin Jones lead FIU with 2.5 each so far this year.
NEXT UP
After Saturday’s road battle at Charlotte, the Panthers return home to Riccardo Silva Stadium to face Jacksonville State on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET. The non-conference matchup will air on ESPN3.
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.
