Football home schedule filled with exciting matchups, student promotions


21603952995_59390592aa_kBy Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17 

The question on the minds of most FIU football fans: Will this be the year?

It’s been five years since the Panthers made it to a bowl game, but as Head Coach Ron Turner enters his fourth season at the helm of the program there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

For fans, the 2016 home schedule is filled with exciting matchups against big-name opponents, in-state rivals and late-season conference showdowns.

And for students in particular, there are plenty of promotions that will heighten the experience, including a free All-You-Can-Eat wristband for the first 500 students to enter FIU Stadium and a free Android tablet for students who attend all seven home football games this season (check out FIUSports.com for more details).

Here is a game-by-game breakdown of all seven home games at FIU Stadium this upcoming season:

indiana 2SEPT. 1 – INDIANA (7:30 p.m.)

The Panthers open up the 2016 season at home with a nationally televised rematch against Big Ten Conference foe Indiana.

Late turnovers and couple of big Hoosier plays dealt the Panthers a tough 36-22 loss last season. This year, the Panthers are hoping to return the favor and open the season with a huge non-conference victory.

The Hoosiers will be without last year’s starting quarterback (Nate Sudfeld) and main rushing threat (Jordan Howard) but return a number of a key skill players who will put the FIU defense to the test. Indiana’s defense is still a question mark, which means there may be a lot of scoring in the home opener.

All employees can purchase up to four tickets for the game at $1 apiece as part of Faculty, Staff & Retirees Appreciation Day and each ticket purchased comes with a free FIU camouflage hat.

MARYLAND 1SEPT. 9 – MARYLAND (7:30 p.m.)

The Panthers welcome another Big Ten opponent, the Maryland Terrapins, a week after their home opener for a Friday night showdown. Under new head coach DJ Durkin, a former protégé of Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh, the Terrapins will give the Panthers another early season test with a strong run defense.

But with a shaky secondary, FIU quarterback Alex McGough, tight end Jonnu Smith and other receivers may have a chance to make some big plays and give the Panthers a fighting chance to earn a statement win at home.

ucf 1SEPT. 24 – UCF (7 p.m.)

Since their first meeting on the gridiron at FIU in 2011, FIU and UCF have cultivated an intense in-state rivalry that both fan bases look forward to almost every year. This year, the Panthers will host the Knights at “The Cage” with the all-time series tied at two wins apiece.

Last season, the Panthers opened up the season in Orlando and blocked a potential game-winning field goal in the final moments to secure a 15-14 win against the Knights. With a new head coach in Scott Frost, UCF is hoping for a little bit of payback.

The Panthers will have to find a way to stop a crop of rising stars on the Knights’ roster, including receiver and 2015 American Athletic Conference rookie of the year Receiver Tre’Quan Smith, in order to earn bragging rights for another year.

fauOCT. 1 – FLORIDA ATLANTIC (7 p.m.)

The Panthers and Owls have been bitter rivals since both programs began in the early 2000s. Shula Bowl XV will be the latest installment in the rivalry, and it will be an important game for both teams for several reasons.

FIU and FAU are both considered sleeper picks and could surprise onlookers in the east division of Conference USA. This game will be the first conference matchup for both teams and may help the winner make the case that they will be a force to be reckoned with in C-USA.

After the Panthers’ hopes of securing bowl eligibility took a major hit in a disappointing loss to the Owls in Boca Raton last season, FIU will be looking for revenge at home.

la tech 1OCT. 22 – LOUISIANA TECH [Homecoming] (7 p.m.)

After a pair of conference road games, the Panthers return to Miami for a Homecoming Game matchup against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

The good news for FIU: they won’t have to worry about stopping running back Kenneth Dixon, now in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, who ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers last September.

The Bulldogs will also be looking to replace their starting quarterback and a number of starters and defense, which might give the Panthers an opportunity to earn their first win ever over Louisiana Tech.

MTSU 1OCT. 29 – MIDDLE TENNESSEE (7 p.m.)

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and their high-powered passing game led by quarterback Brent Stockstill (son of head coach Rick Stockstill) roll into town in late October for what should be an exciting, high scoring matchup.

This game could have important implications for the Panthers and Blue Raiders as they jockey for prime position in the East Division standings heading into the final month of the season. And with a tough road game the following week against defending C-USA champion Western Kentucky, a win would give the Panthers a much-needed boost.

MARSHALL 1NOV. 19 – MARSHALL (7 p.m.)

Coming off a bye week, the Panthers will welcome C-USA powerhouse Marshall to close out FIU’s home schedule. With a 33-8 record over the last three seasons, the Thundering Herd have proved to be one of the conference’s toughest opponents.

In four all-time matchups, including FIU’s St. Petersburg Bowl matchup in 2011, the Panthers have yet to defeat Marshall. Last year, the injury-riddled Panthers suffered a 52-0 loss to Marshall on the road.

With bowl eligibility potentially at stake, this year’s meeting could have big postseason implications for the Panthers.

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