MIAMI (Nov. 13, 2020) – FIU returns to the football field this Friday night, as the Panthers host the Florida Atlantic Owls at Riccardo Silva Stadium.
Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET, with the game set to air nationally on CBS Sports Network. 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 OWLS
FAU enters the game with a 3-1 mark, with all action coming in conference play. The Owls have downed Charlotte, UTSA and WKU in the first year of the Willie Taggart era. The lone loss this season for FAU came at the hands of ranked Marshall on the road, losing a 20-9 decision to the Herd.
FAU has been led by its defense in 2020, with the Owls ranking second in the league and 20th in the nation for its 317.0 yards allowed per game this season. Jaylen Joyner and Leighton McCarthy have combined for 9.5 sacks this season to propel the Owl pass rush, ranking first in C-USA and 13th in the country.
FIU ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK
FIU’s game against FAU this Friday, Nov. 13, will appear on CBS Sports Network. The Panthers have appeared eight times on the platform, winning a pair of games over Miami and UCF. FIU’s most recent home win on CBSSN came over the Miami Hurricanes, as the Panthers took a 30-24 decision at Marlins Park.
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. Price has earned 8.89 yards per carry this season, which ranks second overall in the nation and tops the league. The senior is averaging 103.7 rushing yards per game this season, which ranks fourth in the conference and 27th overall in the nation.
RICHARD GOING SOLO
Safety Richard Dames tops the conference and ranks 18th in the nation with his 6.3 solo tackles for game this season. He has earned 18 in just three games. The other half of the Dames Twins, Rishard, has posted 3.3 solo tackles per game and has earned 10 so far in the first three outings.
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 ranks second in the conference and sixth in the nation. The sophomore was ranked second in the country earlier this season, after his 200.0 all-purpose yard average, but following the game against Jacksonville State his total took a dip to 135.00 per game. That new mark ranks 25th in the nation.
PUNT RETURN DEFENSE
The Panther punt defense has allowed just -3.67 yards per return this season, ranking second in the nation for that category. Additionally FIU ranks second in the conference and 21st nationally for net punting, averaging 42.12 per attempt.
NEXT UP
FIU hits the road next weekend as the Panthers travel to WKU on Saturday, Nov. 21. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. ET and set to 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.
