Canes Warning
Fansided

Miami football schedule includes three teams listed as on the rise

By Alan Rubenstein

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver Percy Harvin #1 of the Florida Gators tries to leap over a pile of blockers while taking on the Miami Hurricanes at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver Percy Harvin #1 of the Florida Gators tries to leap over a pile of blockers while taking on the Miami Hurricanes at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /
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The Miami football team’s victory over FIU last season was nowhere near as close as the final score. The Hurricanes first-team defense dominated the Panthers and did not play in the fourth quarter. FIU had 48 total yards and three first downs through the first three quarters.

The Panthers finished the game by scoring all 17 of their points in the fourth quarter. Miami led 31-0 after three and coasted in the fourth. The Panthers finished the game with 187 total yards and seven first downs. Manny Diaz was not happy with the performance of his defense in the final 15 minutes.

As head coach Diaz is likely to remind his team the importance of playing the game for 60 minutes. FIU should enter this season’s game at Marlins Park with confidence after how they played in the fourth quarter. The game will be the first time the Miami football program returns to the site of the Orange Bowl.

The Panthers had 170 yards passing in last year’s game. FIU had 139 passing yards in the fourth quarter against Miami’s reverses. The Hurricanes lost three-quarters of their secondary from 2018.

Many of the defensive backs who played in the fourth quarter last season will be starters this year. FIU will be confident against players they already succeeded against. Athlon projects FIU to challenge in the Conference USA Eastern Division.

"FIU has posted just four winning seasons since joining the FBS level in 2004. Two of those have come under coach Butch Davis, who has guided the Panthers to back-to-back bowl games and 17 victories over the last two years. Another postseason trip and a chance to contend for the Conference USA East Division title is within reach once again in 2019. FIU’s offense will return quarterback James Morgan, who threw for 26 touchdowns and 2,727 yards in his first season with the program. Napoleon Maxwell departs at running back, but the ground game is in good shape thanks to the return of D’Vonte Price (560 yards) and Anthony Jones (338). CJ Worton departs after a successful senior year (37 catches for 627 yards), but Morgan has plenty of capable targets to utilize on the outside, including Austin Maloney (30 for 610 yards), Maurice Alexander (40 catches), Bryce Singleton (29) and tight end Sterling Palmer (25). The Panthers allowed only eight sacks last fall. Even though standout guard Jordan Budwig departs, this offensive line should remain one of the best in Conference USA. FIU’s defense took a step forward on the stat sheet last season and only four of the top 12 tacklers are gone. Linebacker Sage Lewis is one of C-USA’s top returning defenders after recording 132 stops last year. Replacing Edwin Freeman at linebacker, Emmanuel Lubin at cornerback and tackle Anthony Johnson will be the top priorities in spring ball for coordinator Brent Guy."

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