Florida International Golden Panthers
Sun Belt
Florida International had high expectations heading into the 2011 campaign. This was a team coming off their first ever bowl appearance. And they won that bowl game against Toledo. With quite a few starters returning on both sides of the ball, FIU was poised to win the Sun Belt. It did not work out that way, but Coach Mario Cristobal still led his squad to a solid season and another bowl berth.
2011 Record: 8-4, 5-3
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Little Caesars Bowl vs. Toledo (W 34-32)
Big Wins: 9/9 at Louisville (24-17), 9/17 UCF (17-10)
Bad Losses: 9/24 Louisiana (31-36), 11/5 at Western Kentucky (9-10)
Coach: Mario Cristobal (24-37 at Florida International, 24-37 overall)
Bowl Record: 1-0 at Florida International, 1-0 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Scott Satterfield
Defensive Coordinator: Todd Orlando
Strengths:
The Golden Panthers are known for their defense and it starts by getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. FIU does not have a couple dominating pass rushers like they did last season, but just about everybody on the team has the ability to tally a tackle when defensive coordinator Todd Orland dials up a blitz. Those blitzes that come from every direction will keep the opposition off balance and that has helped the Golden Panthers pick off 13 passes during the regular season. Justin Halley has a habit of making the big plays in the secondary, but Jose Cheeseborough, Sam Miller, Jonathan Cyprien and Richard Leonard are all very productive defensive backs. Winston Fraser is the leader of the linebackers and totaled 107 tackles on the season. Jordan Hunt has emerged as fine linebacker as well and will make most tackles that come his way…as long as Fraser does not get there first.
Weaknesses:
Florida International has a nice, balanced offense, but it has not been spectacular this season. However, T.Y. Hilton is spectacular. The wide receiver can do it all and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. And Coach Cristobal will get the ball into Hilton’s hands as much as possible. Hilton caught 64 passes for 950 yards and seven touchdowns. He is also one the best kick and punt returners in the nation and the opposition would always be wise to kick away from Hilton. He will even get a few carries on end-arounds in an effort to give him even more opportunities. Quarterback Wesley Carroll averages just over 200 passing yards per game, but he does keep the interceptions down and that is usually all FIU needs from their senior signal caller. Running back Kedrick Rhodes pretty much came out of nowhere to run for 1,121 yards and eight scores on the year. FIU also has Darriet Perry in the backfield and he has turned into the short yardage back. The offense has been steady, but Hilton is the only really explosive player on the field and sometimes that has been an issue for Florida International.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Kedrick Rhodes, RB, 1,121 yards
Passing: Wes Carroll, QB, 2,224 yards
Receiving: T.Y. Hilton, WR, 950 yards
Tackles: Winston Fraser, LB, 107
Sacks: Greg Hickman, DE, 5.0
Interceptions: Justin Halley, S, 4
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 150.42 (68th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 219.25 (69, 6)
Total Offense: 369.67 (80, 6)
Scoring Offense: 26.25 (67, 3)
Rushing Defense: 120.92 (21, 3)
Pass Defense: 226.67 (61, 3)
Total Defense: 347.58 (32, 3)
Scoring Defense: 19.42 (16, 1)
Turnover Margin: .42 (30, 2)
Sacks: 2.83 (14, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.08 (19, 2)
