Sep 07, 2008
After a bad loss to Iowa, two things have become apparent; the team needs to start moving the ball offensively as well as start their Sun Belt Conference schedule ASAP because these non-conference affairs are getting out of hand.
The Golden Panthers made Iowa, a team that was expected to be slightly above average, look like the powerhouse that they have been perennially. Offensively, the Hawkeyes had no problem moving the chains as they finished with 512 total yards of offense as opposed to FIU’s 218. It was evident early on that Iowa had their pick to gain yards either threw the air or on the ground. A 35-0 halftime lead is a pretty good indicator that the Iowa offense was having their way. Three of the 5 scores were touchdown passes as the FIU defense clearly couldn’t stop Hawkeye quarterback Ricky Stanzi. On the afternoon, the Golden Panthers failed to record a sack on Stanzi who finished 8-for-10 with 162 yards and three touchdown passes.
Offensively, FIU struggled terribly and didn’t even reach the red zone on the day. The quarterback situation has become cloudy again as sophomore Wayne Younger relieved starter Paul McCall and fared better of the two. He finished 11-for-20 with 107 yards and no interceptions and had 29 rushing yards. Junior Paul McCall had another poor performance by going 8-for-16 with 2 interceptions.
Its safe to say that FIU has reached a crossroads in terms of this position battle, while initially the dual quarterback role was viewed a positive weapon; it could now possibly be a detriment. After two contests that have produced anemic offensive outputs, you have to assume that the first step in developing a foundation for the offense to succeed is to finally name a quarterback and to stick to the chosen one.
Yes, both are stronger in different areas but you have to believe that it could possibly be a reason why the offense has been stunted. If Saturday’s contest was any indicator, Younger showed that he is still capable of being a full-time starter despite criticism of a weak arm and a not fully healed clavicle. It’s evident that Paul McCall is a very intelligent signal caller but that characteristic has failed to transcend on the field.
The receiving game is the other area of concern for FIU. There has been no player to stand out as the quintessential go-to player. Against Kansas, the best statistics for a receiver was 2 receptions for 21 yards. On Saturday, freshman Junior Mertile and T.Y. Hilton led the way in yardage as both accumulated a total of 39 yards with Mertile catching 5 passes as opposed to Hilton snatching 2.
Whether it’s the speedster Hilton or Mertile, if the offense is going to advance, someone has to separate themselves from the bunch. The cast of possibilities are talented but have yet to create that desired separation.
Thankfully, the Kansas and Iowa road games are over and done with. Despite the next contest against South Florida, a team that is currently 2-0 and was one of the surprise stories of college football last season, the schedule starts to soften much to the content of FIU.
While South Florida is up there with Kansas and Iowa as one of the more daunting teams on the schedule, it’s a home game with very special circumstances. Right now, home field advantage is the only positive thing to look forward to in that game at this point in time.
For the Golden Panthers, its time to use this bye week to the fullest. It is a good thing that these road trips against strong teams are over but at the same time, the team needs to improve on both sides; the numbers don’t lie.
The non-conference schedule is perplexing because its includes historically strong teams against a program that is not only 6 years old, but in only its third year in the FBS.
If FIU plays their Sun Belt Conference games close like they did for the most part last season, the games against top-tier teams truly are a good appetizer. Right now, that assessment cannot be made because that portion of the schedule has not arrived.
Losing to Kansas and Iowa was certainly a possibility considering the makeup of both teams but the glaring weakness of FIU was exploited in both games. That weakness is of course the offense and like I stated last week, if there is no improvement this team will struggle tremendously. The effort, desire and determination are without a doubt there and Mario Cristobal is absolutely the man to lead this team in the right direction but the players simply have to improve.
To improve not only against non-conference opponents but in all areas of the game, especially the offense. If last week represents FIU’s last game of the above mentioned variety, the Golden Panthers should be alright.