Florida Intl Golden Panthers

Head Coach

Mario Cristobal	2nd year
07-08	1-11
Sun Belt	1-6
FCR	119

Previous Season Wins

Sun Belt Previews –by Tom Farrelly

Head Coach - Mario Cristobal returns for his second season and when your 1-11 with the nations 118th ranked offense there’s no place to go but up. FIU has hired Bill Legg to be the new offensive coordinator; he comes from Purdue and look for the Golden Panthers to install the spread offense this fall. They return 9 starters on the offense so experience will not be the problem, its production.

Quarterback - At quarterback sophomore Wayne Younger is the returning starter but junior Paul McCall has as of now won the staring spot coming out of spring. Last year Younger threw for 1,357 yards but had 17 interceptions and only 9 TD’s, he is an outstanding runner having rushed for 536 yards last season. McCall did the Golden Panthers to their lone win last season, on the year he threw for 413 with 5 TD’s and only one interceptions, he’s the runner that Younger is but is capable of taking off when the need arises. Look for MCCall to benefit more with FIU going to the spread this fall.

Running Backs - The running backs are an experienced group, senior A’Mod Ned has led the Golden Panthers in rushing the last two season and his backup will be fellow senior Julian Reams. Ned ran 581 yards and two TD’s and also caught 16 passes while added 274 yards. Look for the quick Ned to get more chances to catch the ball out of the backfield to better utilize his quickness. Also returning is junior John Ellis who line up at the fullback but will primarily a blocker and will catch an occasional pass.

Receivers - On the outside all three starters return with junior Jeremy Dickens in the slot and at wide receiver sophomore Greg Ellison and junior Elliott Dix. The trio combined for 49 receptions for 722 yards and five scores. Dickens missed significant time last year but showed this spring he could be the go to guy, Ellison and Dix have the speed to stretch the field but have yet to do it on game day. Sophomore Marquis Rolle has the speed and size to be in the rotation and off his spring performance he could be the starter come the opener. Miami transfer senior Eric Kirchenberg will be at tight end, he should be a great addition to the passing attack for the Golden Panthers this fall.

Offensive Line - The O-Line returns three starters led by juniors Andy Leavine at left tackle and at right guard Joe Alajajian, at center sophomore Brad Serini a rising star. Newcomers will be junior Mario Caraballo at right tackle and at left guard senior Dustin Gibson. Leavine has shown improvement against the pass rush and is maturing into a solid left tackle, while Serini will be a force in the run blocking for the nest three seasons. Looking to break into the rotation will be redshirt freshman Juan Gonzalez and JUCO All-American Cedric Mack.

Defensive Line - They ranked 105th against the run and return only two starters but there is some depth and they’ll have a decent rotation. At defensive end junior Artis Warthen and sophomore Sody Pellicer will start and with senior Reggie Jones, who led the team with sacks and redshirt freshman Ricky Booker who looked good this spring they should be able to generate a better pass rush. Inside the tackles will be returning starter senior Jarvis Penerton and senior Daniel Chacreton, who missed part of the season was a force when given the chance, better run defense is a must in 08’.

Linebackers - At linebacker two starters return led by juniors Scott Bryant on the weakside, he led the team in tackles with 91 and Mannie Wellington who’ll be in the middle where he chipped in with 57 tackles. They’ll be joined senior Ryan Martinez who’ll be on the strongside, it’s an extremely undersized unit that will struggle against the run but and need to be active against the run and applying pressure up field.

Defensive Backs - Only one starter returns and he’ll be at one corner, sophomore Anthony Gaitor, he experienced typical freshman frustrations but has to better utilize his quickness, at the other corner will junior Dezeriah Johnson. Returning at strong safety will be senior Jeremiah Weatherspoon who missed the 07’ season with an injury but was impressive this spring and appears ready, at free safety look for junior Ashyln Parker to start.

Special Teams - The new placekicker will be junior Carlos Munera and he’ll handle the punting duties as well. Look for seniors Jeremiah Weatherspoon and Julian Reams to handle the kick returns and on the punt returns sophomores Anthony Gaitor and Greg Ellingson.

Schedule - Yeah right, open at Kansas go to Iowa and then get South Florida at home, 0-3. Only five home games but they do close at home against Western Kentucky. Look for the Golden Panthers to make some progress and they’ll definitely put more points on the board, FIU will win 1 game this season.