(03-27-2009 09:20 AM)Joel Wrote:  Wright would be a steal, this shows how committed Cristobal and Co. are at getting the guys they want. It really is amazing. It should serve as a warning for all schools in Florida at what we are trying to build here. You don't think UCG isn't worried about this? They are, and their fans are, too. The pieces just keep on coming and they are falling into place faster than anyone might have suspected!

Ok Im missing the Acronym here?

Unless its University of Coral Gables?

Anthony Gaitor becoming face of FIU defense

(03-27-2009 09:35 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  

(03-27-2009 09:20 AM)Joel Wrote:  Wright would be a steal, this shows how committed Cristobal and Co. are at getting the guys they want. It really is amazing. It should serve as a warning for all schools in Florida at what we are trying to build here. You don't think UCG isn't worried about this? They are, and their fans are, too. The pieces just keep on coming and they are falling into place faster than anyone might have suspected!

Ok Im missing the Acronym here?

Unless its University of Coral Gables?

Yep....

Today's practice was called off early due to thunder and lightning. But from what I saw today, the offense is looking better than ever. The defensive line was sporadic, but when they looked good, they looked darn good.

Perry looks like he is going to really come out of the gates this season. He has really grown into a man with Coach Moore's strength program.

Columbus High School stopped by the stadium for today's practice. They are loaded with talent and one guy to watch would be Jakhari Gore, their RB who is a heck of a prospect.

Today was the spring game and the defense won.

Lots of turnovers for the offense.

Hilton looked good and so did Mertile, Frierson had a couple of nice catch and runs.

A lot of recruits were there, including Michaelee Harris from Northwestern.

(04-03-2009 08:51 PM)posterchild Wrote:  Today was the spring game and the defense won.

Lots of turnovers for the offense.

Hilton looked good and so did Mertile, Frierson had a couple of nice catch and runs.

A lot of recruits were there, including Michaelee Harris from Northwestern.

Pretty good day at The Cage....Willis Wright, Shawn Corker, and Ivan McCartney were there as well... this makes it 4 of Florida's best Wide Receivers were in attendance..

FIU defense stands tall in the spring game
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com

A good portion of the FIU defense missed spring practice with injuries, but fans wouldn't have known it watching the Golden Panthers' front seven in the team's annual Blue/White Spring Game on Friday night at FIU Stadium.

With a steady rush and relentless tackling, the defense dominated the offense to win the spring game 43-21.

''The defense took it to the offense, and I think it started up front,'' FIU coach Mario Cristobal said. ``It was a spring of just emphasizing getting off the football, creating push, disrupting the line of scrimmage. It had its effect [Friday]. The defense came out and pushed the offense around.''

Linebacker Scott Bryant gave a preview of the defensive barrage to come on the game's second play.

Bryant broke through the offensive line and tackled running back Darriet Perry in the backfield for a 5-yard loss.

The defense had five sacks and led 13-1 after the first quarter. The offense was awarded one point for getting three consecutive first downs.

''The defense improved throughout the whole spring,'' Bryant said. ``It was just amazing how we just came out and dominated the O-line. The front seven had to step it up.

``We had to set the tempo . . . and we did.''

FOUR INTERCEPTIONS

The defense, which received one point for each three-and-out, one point for each sack and three points for each turnover, got its first of four interceptions during the second quarter.

Safety Derrick Clark, who has had a terrific spring, intercepted quarterback Wayne Younger and returned it 60 yards to the offense's 10-yard line to make it 17-1 for the defense.

''Overall, the defensive line created those types of situations for us,'' Cristobal said of his defense forcing turnovers. ``The quarterback was hurried, had to leave the pocket. He had to force the ball, and when you force the ball, usually great things don't happen.''

The offense started to show some life late in the second quarter. Quarterback Paul McCall connected with Ty Frierson for a 44-yard pass to the defense's 26. The series ended with a 25-yard field goal by Dustin Rivest.

McCall completed 14 of 22 passes for 202 yards. Frierson led the receivers with four catches for 66 yards.

The defense led 24-5 at halftime.

The second half was more of the same for the defense, with the exception of the offense scoring two touchdowns. Mississippi State transfer quarterback Wesley Carroll led the scoring drives.

BATTLING BACK

Carroll, who was 11 of 17 for 110 yards and a touchdown, meticulously drove the Panthers down the field with short passes, and running back Brandon Paquette scored from 5 yards out.

Late in the fourth quarter, Carroll found receiver Junior Mertile in the corner of the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown pass.

''The competitive spirit comes out when you see that you're down,'' McCall said. ``You hate to have to wait that long, but we got going.

``We have to finish down in the red zone, and we know that as an offense. We just got to do a better job of that.''

(04-03-2009 11:30 PM)FIUFanatic Wrote:  

(04-03-2009 08:51 PM)posterchild Wrote:  Today was the spring game and the defense won.

Lots of turnovers for the offense.

Hilton looked good and so did Mertile, Frierson had a couple of nice catch and runs.

A lot of recruits were there, including Michaelee Harris from Northwestern.

Pretty good day at The Cage....Willis Wright, Shawn Corker, and Ivan McCartney were there as well... this makes it 4 of Florida's best Wide Receivers were in attendance..

Frank Gore came to visit the spring game. He sat next to me... i heard him and his friends say " Damn! The stadium is nice. Very very nice." I was so proud!

Gore was there because of his old coach at UM. Coach Cassano, that is his bud. A lot of recruits recognized that, very good thing for FIU and our appeal to these recruits, they realize that some of our coaches used to coach some of the best players in college football and the NFL.

He told me that his cousin is Ty Feirson #80 WR and that is why he came.

Read that as well, still is a good thing, as Gore was seen by many talking with Cassano before and after the game.

nice!! Very good to see that kind of attention from NFL players. Plus i heard him and his entourage saying "Damn! This stadium is nice! Very nice!" Also very encouraging!

This was my first spring practice ever. Defense was really awesome.

I might be the only one, but I was pleasantly surprised with the turnout. I was expecting a lot less. And good move to give away tickets for the baseball game. Great game against WKU.

By the way, I renewed my season tickets! Actually last year I had 2 seats, now I have 5 seats. I'm recruiting fans!

GO F I U!!

I heard a lot of people requested season tix. This was definitely a nice experience. ALlthough some may not understand why our offense didn't look so good. The defense came out and played the best they had all spring. It was really a treat to see the guys on the DL getting the job done.

(04-07-2009 12:53 AM)posterchild Wrote:  I heard a lot of people requested season tix. This was definitely a nice experience. ALlthough some may not understand why our offense didn't look so good. The defense came out and played the best they had all spring. It was really a treat to see the guys on the DL getting the job done.

Got my season ticket order form a few days ago and already mailed my payment out.

BTW, the FIU board seems to be back.

Here are some pics:



Construction on the New Fieldhouse should be completed by the end of June.









He's gonna be a pain to block:




Final Score:

790 to air FIU football
By PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com

FIU football is switching radio stations this fall and will have its games broadcast on 790 The Ticket beginning with the season opener at Alabama on Sept. 12.

"We're very excited to have the opportunity to be on 790 The Ticket -- the number one sports station in South Florida," said FIU athletic director Pete Garcia, whose program signed a three-year contract with 790. "We're the only college team on 790. It's the beginning of a great relationship as we continue to build the FIU athletic department."

When Golden Panthers games conflict with Marlins or Panthers games, FIU can be heard on WMCU 1080.

Last year FIU football was heard on 940 WINZ.

The football broadcasts will have new announcers as FIU chose not to retain color analyst Randy Kassewitz and sideline reporter Michael Mandich.

Last year's play-by-play announcer, Jeremy Marks-Peltz, is considered a candidate for the FIU play-by-play job on 790.

The new announcers are expected to be named later this summer.

(04-23-2009 12:18 PM)FIU Panther Fan Wrote:  790 to air FIU football
By PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com

FIU football is switching radio stations this fall and will have its games broadcast on 790 The Ticket beginning with the season opener at Alabama on Sept. 12.

"We're very excited to have the opportunity to be on 790 The Ticket -- the number one sports station in South Florida," said FIU athletic director Pete Garcia, whose program signed a three-year contract with 790. "We're the only college team on 790. It's the beginning of a great relationship as we continue to build the FIU athletic department."

When Golden Panthers games conflict with Marlins or Panthers games, FIU can be heard on WMCU 1080.

Last year FIU football was heard on 940 WINZ.

The football broadcasts will have new announcers as FIU chose not to retain color analyst Randy Kassewitz and sideline reporter Michael Mandich.

Last year's play-by-play announcer, Jeremy Marks-Peltz, is considered a candidate for the FIU play-by-play job on 790.

The new announcers are expected to be named later this summer.

I like 790 EXCEPT for Dan lebetard (SP?) If he would talk about SPORTS instead of the rest of the mindless dribble he spews hed be ok. At least when Stugottz (SP?) has the show he talks about sports.

Just to let you guys know...the FIU forum is back up. There was some loss of information, but its working again!

Come visit sometime.

MC Q&A with FIU's Miami Herald blogger Pete Pelegrin...check it out...Q & A with FIU Coach Mario Cristobal ("MC"), Pt. 1

Quote:FIU Fanatic: What aspect/aspects of FIU in general, do you believe has/have been the best one(s), or most successful, in order to "sell" a recruit why he HAS to come to FIU?

MC: There are several. Like any business in the world: location, location, location. We all learned that in high school or in college. That’s number one. Number two when you set foot on campus it wows you, because FIU is an impressive place from top to bottom. From the classroom settings to the new facilities that are being built which are state-of-the-art and some of the finest in the entire country. To the people on campus from academic support people to professors and deans to the training staff and administrative staff. And of course the coaching staff. You have some dynamic people that love FIU and want to take it to the highest level and are completely committed to it. The energy that is felt when recruits get on campus has really opened some eyes. Recruits often times say, "Wow, I never knew" and they leave here with a great impression.