CRUNCH TIME
Like every college football team in the nation, FIU has
yet to write its script for the 2018 season. However, unlike
Who will fill the void created by the loss of several key players remains to be seen
many teams, the Panthers have plenty of roles available for
By Pete Pelegrin
Bowl team. Due to graduation, the Panthers said goodbyes
leading men. Coming off one of the most successful seasons in FIU football history, the Panthers enter their 17th campaign on the gridiron with competition at several key positions all over the field. Last year’s team matched the program record for wins in a season with eight. (The 2011 team also won eight games.) And for the first time since 2011, last year’s team returned to the postseason in what was head coach Butch Davis’ first season at FIU. FIU lost many instrumental cogs from its 8-5 Gasparilla to their leading passer (Alex McGough), leading rusher (Alex Gardner), leading receiver (Thomas Owens), top four tacklers (linebackers Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams and safeties Bryce Canady and Niko Gonzalez) and interception leader (Brad Muhammad). Still, thanks to Davis and his coaching staff’s recruiting prowess, the cupboard is not bare entering 2018. FIU has a deep running back and receiving corps plus a combination of experience and promising youth along the offensive line. The defensive line and linebackers have an intriguing mix of brawn and quick playmakers. A quick glance at the secondary shows athletic, tall, rangy defenders.
Inquiring minds want to know Possibly the number one question entering training camp in August and leading into the season opener against Indiana on Sept. 1: Who will be the starting quarterback? McGough broke just about every FIU passing record during his illustrious four-year career before being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2018 NFL Draft last April. This season FIU will have a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2014. The leading candidates to be under center are Bowling Green graduate transfer Quarterbacks Christian Alexander (left) and James Morgan
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