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Coming off the most successful season in program history, one that saw the Panthers win their first-ever Sun Belt Conference champion-ship as well as winning the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, FIU returns 15 starters in 2011 as it looks to build upon last season’s success.

Led by Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year Mario Cristobal, FIU was picked to win the Sun Belt in the preseason coaches’ poll. Going into the second season under offensive coordinator Scott Satterfield, the offense will be more explo-sive than ever. On defense, Cristobal brought in Todd Orlando, who had previously served as defensive coordinator at UConn. With Orlando’s big-game experience, the defense shouldn’t skip a beat.

QuarterbacksAfter breaking nearly every FIU single-season

passing record, senior signal-caller Wes Carroll returns in 2011 looking to lead the Panthers to another Sun Belt championship. Carroll had a stellar 2011, that saw him throw for an FIU-record 2,623 yards and 16 touchdowns. As the 2010 season went on, Carroll got better and better, throwing for 10 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions over FIU’s final six games, helping the Panthers win four of the six. Earlier in the season, Carroll showed just how prolific a passer he can be when he completed an FIU single-game record 35 passes against

Maryland, including connecting on 12 consecu-tive attempts, which is also an FIU record. In that game, Carroll set the third-best mark in FIU history by throwing for 355 yards. With a full sea-son in offensive coordinator Scott Satterfield’s offense now under his belt, Carroll figures to improve on his impressive FIU debut season.

Backing up Carroll will be a few unproven but supremely talented arms. Redshirt freshman Jake Medlock is a physically gifted quarterback who spent last season learning the ins-and-outs of Satterfield’s offense. Along with Medlock, several newcomers including Akil Dan-Fodio and Loranzo Hammonds figure to compete for the backup quarterback spot.

Running BacksThe Panthers broke nearly every FIU single-

season rushing record in 2010 behind a punish-ing, explosive and versatile attack. Four running backs ran for over 290 yards in 2010, as the Panthers shattered the FIU single-season rush-ing yards record by racking up 2,438 yards on the ground, which placed the Panthers 27th in the country in rushing offense.

All four of those running backs are back in 2011. Senior Darriet Perry leads the way for the Panther running backs, as he set an FIU single-season record with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2010. Perry, considered the “power” back of the bunch, ran for 839 yards in 2010, which is the second-best single-season total in FIU history. Perry’s 21 career rushing touchdowns are also second all-time, and his 1,333 rushing yards rank fourth on the career list. Perry also displayed his versatility by hauling in 12 passes for 137 yards.

Junior speedster Darian Mallary ran for 679 yards in 2010, at an impressive 5.6 yards per carry pace. Like Perry, Mallary showed versatil-ity as he led all backs with 22 catches and 178 receiving yards out of the backfield.

Redshirt Junior Jeremiah Harden was ham-pered by nagging injuries in 2010, but still man-aged to race for 351 yards and one score.

Sophomore Kedrick Rhodes showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman season, finishing with 293 yards on just 40 carries for a very impressive 7.3 yards per carry average.

Rounding out the running back corps are three extremely talented returners in Robert Boswell, Brandon Bennett and Torrance Seymour, as well as freshman Shane Coleman.

A strength in 2010, the depth at running back is even stronger in 2011 and should once again make FIU’s one of the nation’s best units.

Wide ReceiversFIU set a single-season record with 2,698

passing yards in 2010, thanks largely to an incredibly talented and deep group of receivers.

It’s no secret who leads the way for the FIU receivers. All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate T.Y. Hilton is back for his senior season, already holding nearly every FIU receiv-ing record imaginable. The 2010 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year caught 59 passes for 848 yards and five touchdowns in 2010. He also ran for 282 yards and four touchdowns.

Hilton holds FIU records for catches in a game (11), receiving yards in a game (199), receiv-ing yards in a season (1,013) and receiving touchdowns in a season (7). The Miami native is second all-time at FIU in receiving yards (252 behind first place) and touchdowns (5 behind first place). Hilton is also FIU’s all-time all-pur-pose yardage leader by a wide margin, leading the way with 5,602 all-purpose yards, which is almost 2,500 more than the next best total.

Wayne Times, Jacob Younger and Ariel Martinez are the other veterans of the receiving core. Times, a junior, caught 28 passes in 2010 for 341 yards and one touchdown. Younger, a redshirt junior, hauled in 16 passes for 151 yards. Martinez lost most of the season to an injury, but he is healthy in 2011 and looking to make an impact.

The rest of the receivers are young, but extremely talented. Glenn Coleman, Willis Wright and Jairus Williams all saw limited action in 2010, combining for just five receptions. However, big things are expected out of that trio. Coleman, a sophomore from Louisiana, has good size at 6-2 and very good speed. His

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physical tools have translated to success on the practice field, as he has impressed coaches since the spring. Willis Wright, a sophomore, is one of the most talented receivers to come to FIU. An ESPN Top-150 recruit in 2010, Wright is poised to step up in 2011 and have a breakout season. Williams, a redshirt sophomore, has the tools to be one of the most dangerous receivers in the conference. Standing 6-5, Williams is also one of the fastest players on the team.

Pushing those returners will be a great group of newcomers and returners who redshirted in 2010. Freshmen T.J. Lowder, Richard Burrows, Clinton Taylor and Dominique Rhymes will join 2010 redshirts Michael Curry, Rockey Vann, Mike Jean-Louis and Mitch Wozniak in vying for playing time.

Offensive LineFIU returns three of the five starters that made

FIU’s offensive line one of the best in the Sun Belt Conference in 2010. The Panthers offen-sive line was ranked 30th in the country and first in the conference in sacks allowed, as well as 28th in the country and second in the conference in rushing yards-per-game. After FIU’s win over Troy, the entire offensive line was awarded a Helmet Sticker on ESPN.com after opening up holes for the rushing game to the tune of 448 yards on the ground.

Preseason All-Sun Belt selection Caylin Hauptmann will again man the left tackle posi-tion, and he’s joined by right guard Curtis Bryant and right tackle Rupert Bryan. Versatile junior Giancarlo Revilla is one of three players look-ing to step in and replace four-year starter Brad Serini at center. Revilla, along with Ceedrick Davis and Donald Senat have all seen time at

center for the Panthers in practice. Kevin Van Kirk is back after missing all of 2010 with an injury, and he figures to compete for the other starting spot on the offensive line.

Competition will be hot and heavy for spots along the offensive line, as returners David Delsoin, David Istanich, Jordan White and James Wiggins will all have to battle with new-comers Prince Matt, Bryan Cruz, Zach Soto, Paul Lungren and Shae Smith for playing time.

Tight EndsArguably the Panthers’ most experienced

group, FIU’s tight ends are led by a pair of versatile seniors in Jonathan Faucher and Colt Anderson. Faucher was third on the team with three receiving touchdowns in 2010, and has always been considered one of the team’s best special teams contributors. Anderson, consid-ered by many one of the best pure athletes on the team, is a former quarterback, which

gives him invaluable knowledge of the offen-sive game. Anderson made just three catches in 2010, but he averaged over 13 yards per-reception. At 6-4 and 250 pounds, redshirt junior Joey Harris might be the most physical of all the tight ends. Junior Delpe, a redshirt sophomore, is another big, physical tight end that can do big things for the running game.

Joining this veteran group is a very talented, very physically gifted freshman in Ya’Keem Griner who stands 6-4.

Defensive LineMost of FIU’s defensive line is back in 2011,

and it figures to be a much more physical group with playmakers all along the line.

Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference defensive end Tourek Williams leads the way for this unit. Williams, a 2010 All-Sun Belt selection, regis-tered six sacks last season to go along with 13.5 tackles for loss. Since his arrival at FIU, Williams has shown tremendous progress and he is now poised to break out as one of the Sun Belt’s elite defenders.

Junior Josh Forney and sophomore Isame Faciane are two of the frontrunners to man the defensive tackle spots. Forney started all 13 games for the Panthers last season, and is one of the leaders of the defense. Faciane, who played defensive end as a freshman, has packed on more than 40 pounds and is making the move to the inside.

The other defensive end spot, a spot vacated by Jarvis Wilson who had a team-best 9.5 sacks in 2010, will see a competition between veteran James Jones and sophomore Greg Hickman. Jones, a senior, has been hampered by injuries throughout his FIU career, but is healthy and ready to contribute in 2011. Hickman got off to a red-hot start in his FIU career, picking up a sack

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in each of his first two games in 2010. Like any coach will tell you, however, there are

no guaranteed starting spots on a football team, and this unit is no different. The Panthers boast a deep group of linemen that can all step in and get the job done. Veterans like Kasey Smith, Andrew Mattox, Andre Pound and Jason Fitch will all see plenty of time on the inside along with youngsters like Jerrico Lee. On the outside, sophomore Paul Crawford along with a few new-comers will push the veterans as Aaron Nielsen, Cody Horstman, Lars Koht and Derrick Thorpe all bring tremendous talent and promise to FIU.

LinebackersFIU’s tradition of having good linebacker corps

has carried over into 2011, as the Panthers boast another impressive group of defenders.

Winston Fraser is back for his redshirt junior season after starting all 13 games in 2010. Fraser, a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection, was second in 2010 among returners with 72 tackles, including nine for loss and one sack.

Juniors Markieth Russell and Kenny Dillard played in all 13 games in 2010, including two as a starter for Russell and four for Dillard. This duo is superbly talented and will battle for a starting job along with Fraser. Another veteran in the mix for a starting position is redshirt senior Chris Edwards. Last season Edwards saw action in 10 contests.

A veteran to college football, but a newcomer to FIU, that figures to make a big impact is JUCO transfer Jordan Hunt. The former Co-Lin standout got to FIU in the spring and has impressed his coaches and teammates alike.

Other newcomers, including Elijah Maxey and Luis Rosado, along with redshirt sophomore Caleb Vincent will also be vying for playing time

at the linebacker spot. Defensive BacksLed by All-Conference safety and leading tack-

ler Johnathan Cyrpien, the FIU defensive backs are yet another very deep unit with playmakers all over it. Cyprien, a junior from Miami, is a physical presence at the safety spot with a real nose for the football. Already one of the confer-ence’s best defenders, Cyprien is expected to take his game to another level and become one of the nation’s elite safeties.

The other safety spot will likely be manned by senior Chuck Grace, who played in all 13 games in 2010. Grace is looked upon by his teammates as a leader both on and off the field, but on the field he has always been a standout. Playing most of his career as a reserve, Grace is ready to step in to the role of starter and make an impact. Newcomers Tevin Blanchard and Lyndon Edwards along with returners Terrance Taylor and Justin Halley, Antwoine Bell and Sam Gervais will all be battling for plays at the safety spot.

Jose Cheeseborough, a sophomore, started every game at corner for FIU in 2010. “Cheese” is back in 2011 and ready to hold on to his role as a starter. Opposite Cheeeborough, returners like Junior Mertile, Sam Miller and Emmanuel Souarin will compete for the starting job. Mertile, who switched to defense in the middle of 2010, led the Panthers with three interceptions last year, including one for a touchdown in his first game after making the switch from wide receiver to cornerback. Miller played in 11 games as a freshman, earning invaluable experience in just his first year on campus. Souarin, a redshirt junior, played in all 13 contests last year, start-ing three of them, and had one interception to go along with five breakups and six passes

defended. Challenging all those returners is a group of

newcomers hungry for playing time. Blanchard, a transfer from Itawamba CC, can play both corner and safety and figures to play his way onto the field. Freshman Richard Leonard, who like Blanchard has been here since the spring, is not only one of the fastest players on the team, but also one of the most talented. The speedster from Miami figures to challenge for a starting spot right away.

Special TeamsHead Coach Mario Cristobal always preaches

the importance of special teams to a football team, and never was that more evident than in FIU’s victory in the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Not only did T.Y. Hilton get FIU back into the game with a kickoff return for touchdown, but junior kicker Jack Griffin’s field goal as time expired gave FIU the win.

Hilton will be back returning kicks and punts in 2011, and you can expect fireworks whenever he touches the football. FIU’s all-time leader in kick and punt return yardage and touchdowns, Hilton is one of the nation’s elite return men. Opposite Hilton on kickoff returns will be a vari-ety of explosive playmakers like Wayne Times, Junior Mertile and Richard Leonard to name a few.

The kicking game will be led by Griffin, who topped the Sun Belt with 17 field goals last year. A member of the Groza Award Watchlist, Griffin was the only Sun Belt kicker to not miss a PAT in 2010, going 45-45 on the season.

The punting duties were handled by Josh Brisk in 2010, and he returns in the same role this season. Brisk will have competition for his role as Griffin is also a talented punter.

Dylan Lynch handled kickoffs for the Panthers last year, and he should do so again this sea-son. However, Griffin has made strides in that area as well and could challenge for the spot.

The long snapper position will see a new face for the first time in four years with the depar-ture of the ever-dependable Michael Davies. However, Mitch MacClugage is more than capa-ble of doing the job. In 2009, when Davies went down with an injury, MacClugage stepped in and the special teams did not miss a beat. Redshirt freshman Nick Thorstenson will serve as the

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Naples (2) ....................Jack Griffin St. John Neumann Mitch MacClugage Barron CollierNeptune Beach (1) .......Derrick Thorpe Fletcher Senior HighNew Smyrna Bch. (1) ...Andrew Mattox Spruce CreekOcala (1) .......................Kedrick Rhodes Trinity CatholicOcoee (1) .....................Rockey Vann OcoeeOrlando (1) ...................Aaron Nielson FreedomPanama City (1) ...........T.J. Lowder BaySeminole (1) .................Austin Tottle OsceolaStarke (1) ......................Ya’Keem Griner BradfordTallahassee (1) .............Jerrico Lee GodbyTampa (2) .....................Chuck Grace Hillsborough Gregory Hickman Tampa Bay TechTitusville (1) ..................Jacob Younger AstronautVero Beach (2) .............Cody Horstman Vero Beach Senior Andre Pound Sebastian RiverWilliston (1) ...................Jordan White WillistonWinter Springs (1) ........Cain Elliot Winter Springs

GEORGIA (1)Valdosta (1) ..................Darriet Perry Lowndes

ILLINOIS (1)South Hollans (1)..........Joshua Forney Marian Catholic

LOUISIANA (2)New Orleans (1) ...........Glenn Coleman West JeffersonSlidell (1) ......................Isame Faciane Salmen

MARYLAND (1)Upper Marlboro (1) .......Giovani Francois Wise

MISSISSIPPI (2)Aberdeen (1) ................Tevin Blanchard AberdeenMeadville (1) .................Jordan Hunt Franklin

NEBRASKA (1)Omaha (1) ....................Colt Anderson Omaha Westside

NEW YORK (1)Brooklyn (1) ..................Jeremy Jermin Nassau JC

OKLAHOMA (1)Midwest City (1) ............Jason Fitch Star Spencer

PENNSYLVANIA (1)Johnstown (1) ...............David Istanich Greater Johnstown

SOUTH CAROLINA (1)North Augusta (1) .........Loranzo Hammonds Jr. North Augusta

TEXAS (2)Carrollton (1) ................Paul Crawford HebronDenton (1) ....................Jacob Witt Denton Guyer

ALABAMA (1)Mobile (1) .....................Denzell Perine Davidson

CALIFORNIA (2)Los Angeles (1) ............Caylin Hauptmann College of the CanyonsSylmar (1) .....................James Wiggins Sylmar

FLORIDA (74)Apopka (1) ....................Larvez Mars ApopkaBelle Glade (1) .............Rupert Bryan, Jr. Glades CentralBoca Raton (1) .............Justin Halley Boca RatonBradenton (1) ...............Michael Curry Bradenton PrepChiefland (1) .................Joey Harris ChieflandCocoa (1) ......................Jarrell McGee ND C of Science JCDade City (1) ................Mitch Wozniak PascoDaytona Beach (1) .......Kasey Smith SeabreezeFt. Lauderdale (8) .........Brandon Bennett Pem. Pines Charter Josh Brisk American Heritage Wesley Carroll St. Thomas Aquinas David Delsoin Sheridan Hills Christ. Jonathan Faucher Cypress Bay Jeremiah Harden St. Thomas Aquinas Kevin Van Kirk Santa Rosa J.C. Caleb Vincent HollywoodGainesville (1) ..............Luis Rosado GainesvilleGreen Cove Spr. (2) .....Robert Boswell Fleming Island Shane Coleman ClayJacksonville (5) .............Jose Cheeseborough Robert E. Lee Ceedrick Davis Forrest Dylan Lynch Fletcher Elijah Maxey Raines Jake Medlock FletcherLakeland (1) .................James Jones Lake GibsonMarco Island (1) ...........Nick Thorstenson LelyMiami (30) ....................Antwoine Bell Miami Senior Curtis Bryant South Miami Michael Cal Columbus Jonathan Cyprien North Miami Beach Junior Delpe North Miami Kenneth Dillard Miami Northwestern Christopher Edwards South Dade Lyndon Edwards Miami Northwestern Winston Fraser Booker T. Wash. Sam Gervais La Salle T.Y. Hilton Miami Springs Mike Jean-Louis North Miami Derrick Jones, Jr. Miami Springs Richard Leonard Killian Darian Mallary Gulliver Prep Ariel Martinez Coral Park Junior Mertile North Miami Sam Miller La Salle Giancarlo Revilla Killian Dominique Rhymes Miami Northwestern Markeith Russell North Miami Beach Donald Senat Miami Northwestern Torrence Seymour Varela Emmanuel Souarin Norland Clinton Taylor Miami Northwestern Terrance Taylor Archbishop Carroll Wayne Times Miami Northwestern Jairus Williams Miami Central Tourek Williams Norland Willis Wright Miami Springs

CITY PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL CITY PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL

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No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School 1 Willis Wright WR 6-2 200 So. Miami, Fla./Miami Springs2 Junior Mertile DB 6-1 197 R-Jr. Miami, Fla./North Miami3 Richard Leonard CB 5-9 170 Fr. Miami, Fla./Killian3 Larvez Mars LB 5-11 210 R-So. Apopka, Fla./Apopka4 T.Y. Hilton WR 5-10 183 Sr. Miami, Fla./Miami Springs5 Wayne Times WR 5-11 167 Jr. Miami, Fla./Northwestern6 Jeremiah Harden RB 5-9 200 R-Jr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas7 Jonathan Cyprien S 6-1 205 Jr. North Miami Beach, Fla./North Miami Beach8 Loranzo Hammonds Jr. QB 6-1 195 Fr. North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta9 Giovani Francois DE 6-1 235 Fr. Upper Marlboro, Md./Wise9 Kedrick Rhodes RB 5-10 190 So. Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic10 Glenn Coleman WR 6-2 205 Fr. New Orleans, La./West Jefferson11 Akil Dan-Fodio QB 6-4 212 Fr. Stone Mountain, Ga./Redan11 Denzell Perine DE 6-3 215 Fr. Mobile, Ala./Davidson 12 Jake Medlock QB 6-3 210 R-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher13 Wesley Carroll QB 6-1 204 R-Sr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Miss. St./St. Thomas Aq.14 Demarkus Perkins DB 6-2 200 So. Bradenton, Fla./Highland CC/Bradenton Southeast15 Colt Anderson TE 6-4 220 R-Sr. Omaha, Neb./Omaha Westside15 Jacob Witt LB 6-1 190 R-Jr. Denton, Texas/Denton Guyer/Nicholls State16 Fred Porter QB Fr.17 T.J. Lowder WR 5-11 178 Fr. Panama City, Fla./Bay18 Jeffrey Fulwood DB 6-0 185 Fr. Riviera Beach, Fla./Suncoast20 Shane Coleman RB 5-7 190 Fr. Green Cove Springs, Fla./Clay 21 Chuck Grace DB 5-9 185 Sr. Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough22 Markeith Russell LB 6-1 210 Jr. North Miami Beach, Fla./North Miami Beach23 Richard Burrows WR 6-4 177 Fr. Palm Bay, Fla./Bayside23 Terrance Taylor DB 6-1 185 R-So. Miami, Fla./Archbishop Carroll24 Emmanuel Souarin CB 5-11 175 R-Jr. Miami, Fla./Norland25 Jordan Hunt LB 6-1 288 Jr. Meadville, Miss./ Co-Lin CC/Franklin26 Darian Mallary RB 5-8 175 Jr. Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep27 Jose Cheeseborough DB 5-9 160 R-Jr. Jacksonville, Fla./Robert E. Lee28 Darriet Perry RB 5-9 200 Sr. Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes29 Tevin Blanchard CB 6-0 180 Jr. Aberdeen, Miss./Itawamba CC/Aberdeen30 Jonathan Faucher TE 6-3 233 Sr. Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay31 Clinton Taylor WR 5-9 175 Fr. Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern32 Justin Halley DB 6-2 185 R-Fr. Boca Raton, Fla./Boca Raton33 Cain Elliot S 6-2 215 R-So. Winter Springs, Fla./Winter Springs33 Zach Schaubaut TE 6-2 220 R-Jr. Chipley, Fla./Air Force34 Robert Boswell RB 5-8 173 So. Green Cove Springs, Fla./Fleming Island34 Winston Fraser LB 6-1 232 R-Jr. Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington35 Elijah Maxey LB/S 6-0 210 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Raines36 Brandon Bennett RB 5-9 205 R-Fr. Miramar, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter36 Jarrell McGee CB 5-11 190 Sr. Cocoa, Fla./ND College of Science JC37 Derrick Jones, Jr. CB 5-9 180 R-So. Miami Springs, Fla./Miami Springs38 Jack Griffin K/P 6-1 195 Jr. Naples, Fla./St. John Neumann39 Sam Miller DB 5-10 180 So. Miami, Fla./La Salle40 Josh Brisk P 5-10 196 Jr. Cooper City, Fla./American Heritage41 Kenneth Dillard LB 6-1 213 Jr. Miami, Fla./Northwestern42 Caleb Vincent LB 6-3 210 R-Fr. Hollywood, Fla./Hollywood43 Antwoine Bell DB 5-11 186 Jr. Miami, Fla./Miami Senior44 Brandon Taylor LS 6-0 250 Fr. Slidell, La./Northshore 45 Evan Davis DB 6-0 185 Fr. Cottondale, Fla./Cottondale46 Luis Rosado LB 6-2 210 Fr. Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville47 Michael Cal K/P 5-9 175 R-Sr. Miami, Fla./FAU/Columbus47 Sam Gervais DB 5-10 180 So. Miami, Fla./La Salle48 Kasey Smith DT 6-3 262 R-Jr. Daytona Beach, Fla./Seabreeze49 Junior Delpe TE 6-4 246 R-So. North Miami, Fla./North Miami49 Dylan Lynch K/P 6-3 215 So. Jacksonville Beach, Fla./Fletcher50 David Delsoin OL 6-6 288 R-Fr. Hollywood, Fla./Sheridan Hills Christian51 Derrick Thorpe DL 6-4 260 Fr. Neptune Beach, Fla./Fletcher Senior High52 Nick Thorstenson LS 5-11 200 R-Fr. Marco Island, Fla./Lely53 Giancarlo Revilla OG 6-2 267 Jr. Miami, Fla./Killian54 Rupert Bryan, Jr. OL 6-2 276 Jr. Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central55 Gregory Hickman LB 6-1 270 So. Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Tech56 Christopher Edwards LB 6-1 217 R-Sr. Naranja, Fla./South Dade57 Kelby Maynor LB Fr. West Palm Beach, Fla./Berean Christian

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15 Colt Anderson TE43 Antwoine Bell DB36 Brandon Bennett RB29 Tevin Blanchard CB34 Robert Boswell RB40 Josh Brisk P54 Rupert Bryan, Jr. OL61 Curtis Bryant OL23 Richard Burrows WR47 Michael Cal K/P13 Wesley Carroll QB27 Jose Cheeseborough DB10 Glenn Coleman WR20 Shane Coleman RB92 Paul Crawford DL63 Bryan Cruz OL84 Michael Curry WR7 Jonathan Cyprien S11 Akil Dan-Fodio QB72 Ceedrick Davis OL45 Evan Davis DB49 Junior Delpe TE50 David Delsoin OL41 Kenneth Dillard LB56 Christopher Edwards LB8 Lyndon Edwards S33 Cain Elliot S

99 Isame Faciane DL30 Jonathan Faucher TE90 Jason Fitch DL96 Joshua Forney DT9 Giovani Francois DE34 Winston Fraser LB18 Jeffrey Fulwood DB47 Sam Gervais DB21 Chuck Grace DB38 Jack Griffin K/P80 Ya’keem Griner TE32 Justin Halley DB8 Loranzo Hammonds, Jr. QB6 Jeremiah Harden RB86 Joey Harris TE71 Caylin Hauptmann OL55 Gregory Hickman LB4 T.Y. Hilton WR91 Cody Horstman DE25 Jordan Hunt LB66 David Istanich OT87 Mike Jean-Louis WR94 James Jones DE37 Derrick Jones, Jr. CB74 Lars Koht DL98 Jerrico Lee DL3 Richard Leonard CB

17 T.J. Lowder WR62 Paul Lungren OL49 Dylan Lynch K/P65 Mitch MacClugage LS26 Darian Mallary RB83 Ariel Martinez WR58 Prince Matt OL93 Andrew Mattox DL35 Elijah Maxey LB/S57 Kelby Maynor LB36 Jarrell McGee CB12 Jake Medlock QB2 Junior Mertile DB39 Sam Miller DB95 Aaron Nielsen DE11 Denzell Perine DE14 Demarkus Perkins DB28 Darriet Perry RB16 Fred Porter QB75 Andre Pound DT53 Giancarlo Revilla OG9 Kedrick Rhodes RB82 Dominique Rhymes WR46 Luis Rosado LB22 Markeith Russell LB33 Zach Schaubaut TE59 Donald Senat OL

42 Torrence Seymour RB48 Kasey Smith DT76 Shae Smith OL68 Zach Soto OL24 Emmanuel Souarin CB44 Brandon Taylor LS31 Clinton Taylor WR23 Terrance Taylor DB51 Derrick Thorpe DL52 Nick Thorstenson LS5 Wayne Times WR67 Kevin Van Kirk OG89 Rockey Vann WR42 Caleb Vincent LB77 Jordan White OL79 James Wiggins OT81 Jairus Williams WR97 Tourek Williams DE15 Jacob Witt LB85 Mitch Wozniak WR1 Willis Wright WR88 Jacob Younger WR

ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School 58 Prince Matt OL 6-4 275 Fr. Bradenton, Fla./Manatee 59 Donald Senat OL 6-2 271 R-Fr. Miami, Fla./Northwestern61 Curtis Bryant OL 6-2 283 R-Sr. Miami, Fla./South Miami62 Paul Lungren OL Jr. Miami, Fla./Ferguson63 Bryan Cruz OL 6-4 265 Fr. Miami, Fla./Dade Christian 65 Mitch MacClugage LS 5-8 200 Jr. Naples, Fla./Barron Collier66 David Istanich OT 6-4 285 Jr. Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown67 Kevin Van Kirk OG 6-3 285 R-Sr. S.W. Ranches, Fla./Santa Rosa J.C.68 Zach Soto OL 6-6 278 R-Fr. Miami, Fla./Monsignor Pace69 Austin Tottle OG 6-4 300 R-So. Seminole, Fla./Osceola71 Caylin Hauptmann OL 6-4 312 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif./College of the Canyons72 Ceedrick Davis OL 6-4 305 So. Jacksonville, Fla./Forrest74 Lars Koht DL 6-5 240 Fr. Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach75 Andre Pound DT 6-3 295 R-Jr. Vero Beach, Fla./Sebastian River76 Shae Smith OL 6-4 281 R-Jr. Bennington, Neb./Bennington HS/Nebraska-Omaha77 Jordan White OL 6-4 330 R-Fr. Williston, Fla./Williston79 James Wiggins OT 6-4 270 R-Sr. Sylmar, Calif./Sylmar80 Ya’keem Griner TE 6-4 200 Fr. Starke, Fla./Bradford81 Jairus Williams WR 6-5 187 R-So. Miami, Fla./Miami Central82 Dominique Rhymes WR 6-4 205 Fr. Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern83 Ariel Martinez WR 6-3 215 R-Sr. Miami, Fla./Coral Park84 Michael Curry WR 6-1 185 So. Bradenton, Fla./Bradenton Prep85 Mitch Wozniak WR 6-3 190 R-Fr.. Dade City, Fla./Pasco86 Joey Harris TE 6-4 250 R-Jr. Chiefland, Fla./Chiefland87 Mike Jean-Louis WR 5-10 180 R-Jr. Miami, Fla./North Miami88 Jacob Younger WR 6-2 175 R-Jr. Titusville, Fla./Astronaut89 Rockey Vann WR 6-1 170 R-So. Ocoee, Fla./Ocoee90 Jason Fitch DL 6-3 275 R-Jr. Midwest City, Okla./Star Spencer91 Cody Horstman DE 6-3 265 Fr. Vero Beach, Fla/Vero Beach Senior High92 Paul Crawford DL 6-9 245 So. Carrollton, Texas/Hebron93 Andrew Mattox DL 6-1 271 R-So. New Smyrna Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek94 James Jones DE 6-1 248 Sr. Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson95 Aaron Nielsen DE 6-4 235 Fr. Orlando, Fla./Freedom 96 Joshua Forney DT 6-2 270 Jr. South Hollans, Ill./Marian Catholic97 Tourek Williams DE 6-4 230 Jr. Miami, Fla./Norland98 Jerrico Lee DL 5-11 270 So. Tallahassee, Fla./Godby99 Isame Faciane DL 6-3 290 So. Slidell, La./Salmen

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CLASS BREAKDOWN

TRUE FRESHMEN (15)RB Shane Coleman S Lyndon Edwards DE Giovani Francois TE Ya’keem Griner QB Loranzo Hammonds Jr.DE Cody Horstman CB Richard LeonardWR/DB T.J. Lowder LB/S Elijah Maxey DE/TE Aaron Nielson DE Denzell PerineWR Dominique Rhymes LB Luis Rosado WR Clinton TaylorDL Derrick Thorpe

REDSHIRT FRESHMEN (10)RB Brandon Bennett RB Robert Boswell WR Glenn Coleman OL David Delsoin DB Justin Halley QB Jake MedlockOL Donald SenatLS Nick ThorstensonLB Caleb VincentDT Jordan White

SOPHOMORES (12)DL Paul CrawfordWR Michael CurryOL Ceedrick DavisDL Isame FacianeDB Sam GervaisLB Gregory HickmanDL Jerrico LeeK/P Dylan LynchDB Sam MillerRB Kedrick RhodesWR Mitch WozniakWR Willis Wright

REDSHIRT SOPHOMORES (8)DB Jose CheeseboroughTE Junior DelpeS Cain ElliotCB Derrick Jones Jr.LB Larvez MarsDB Terrance TaylorOG Austin TottleWR Jairus Williams

JUNIORS (21)WR Antwoine BellCB Tevin BlanchardP Josh BriskC Rupert Bryan Jr.S Jonathan CyprienLB Kenneth DillardDT Joshua ForneyDL Jason FitchK/P Jack GriffinOL Caylin HauptmannLB Jordan HuntOT David IstanichLS Mitch MacClugageRB Darian MallaryDL Andrew MattoxOG Giancarlo RevillaLB Markeith RussellWR Wayne TimesOG Kevin Van KirkWR Rockey VannDR Tourek Williams

REDSHIRT JUNIORS (10)LB Winston Fraser RB Jeremiah HardenTE Joey HarrisDB Junior Mertile TE Zach SchaubautDT Kasey SmithCB Emmanuel Souarin DT Andre PoundLB Jacob Witt WR Jacob Younger

SENIORS (8)TE Jonathan FaucherDB Chuck GraceWR T.Y. HiltonWR Mike Jean-LouisDE James JonesWR Ariel MartinezCB Jarrell McGeeRB Darriet Perry

REDSHIRT SENIORS (7)TE Colt Anderson OL Curtis BryantK/P Michael Cal QB Wesley CarrollLB Christopher EdwardsRB Torrence SeymourOT James Wiggins

claSS BReakdoWn

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SUN BELT CHAMPS!In 2010, the FIU Football team reached new heights by claiming its first-ever Sun Belt Conference Championship. The Panthers re-lied on a league-best defense and the conference’s second-best rushing attack to win six-of-eight Sun Belt games and earn the program’s first-ever bowl bid.

TROUNCING THE TROJANSA year of firsts for the Panthers also included the team’s first-ever victory over the Troy Trojans. On November 13, FIU traveled to Troy and handed the Trojans their first loss on Homecoming since 1997, pounding Troy 52-35 behind 668 yards of offense, 448 of them on the ground. The victory gave the Panthers bragging rights over the Trojans, who they shared the Sun Belt Conference Cham-pionship with.

HOT ‘N READY!On December 26, the Panthers played in their first-ever bowl game, the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Despite the frigid tem-peratures in Detroit, the Panthers proved to be Hot and Ready to play as they beat Toledo 34-32 in, arguably, the most exciting game of the bowl season.

Facing a 4th-and-17 situation and down by one point, FIU picked up the first down on a “Hook and Ladder” play where T.Y. Hilton had to tight-rope down the sideline, and just barely made it past the first down marker. A few plays later Jack Griffin literally kick-started the Panthers’ celebration as he converted the game-winning field goal .

REMARKABLE TURNAROUNDTo explain the Panthers’ rise to the top of the Sun Belt Conference one needs to look no further than the improvements in the running game and the defense. In 2010 the Panthers ranked 27th in the country in rushing offense after finishing 107th in 2009. The Pan-thers’ defense, which ranked 119th in the Nation in 2009, finished 2010 ranked 61st in the country.

DP’s RUN FOR THE RECORDDarriet Perry’s 14 rushing touchdowns in 2010 are not only the most single-season rushing touchdowns in FIU history, but they are the most single season touchdowns ever by a Panther. In 2011, DP will make a run at the all-time record in both categories as he is five away from tying Rashod Smith for the most rushing touchdowns ever (24) and seven behind teammate T.Y. Hilton for the most touchdowns ever at FIU (26)

ALL-CONFERENCE DOMINANCEIn 2010, Sun Belt Confernece honored the Panthers with a league-best 12 All-Sun Belt Conference selections. The Panthers also re-ceived the two highest individual honors as Hilton was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Mario Cristobal was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.

BACK FOR MOREIn 2011, the Panthers will be faced with the task of replacing All-Sun Belt Conference performers Anthony Gaitor, Brad Serini, Greg Ellingson and Toronto Smith along with Ash Parker and Ce-dric Mack. However, the Panthers do return 16 starters on offense and defense, including five All-Sun Belt performers in Hilton, Perry, Tourek Williams, Winston Fraser and leading-tackler Jonathan Cyprien.

BROKEN RECORDThe 2010 version of the Panthers broke all sorts of program re-cords, not the least of which was wins in a season with seven victories. Here’s a quick look at some of the records that were broken in 2010:Career TDs - T.Y. Hilton - 28Career Kick Return Yards - Hilton - 2307Career Punt Return Yards - Hilton - 428 Career Kick Return TDs- Hilton- 4Career INTs Returned for TD - Anthony Gaitor - 3Single Season Rushing TDs - Darriet Perry - 15Single Season Passing TDs - Wes Carroll - 16Single Season Total Offense - Carroll - 2615Single Season Total Points Scored - Jack Griffin/Darriet Perry - 96Single Season FGs - Griffin - 16Single Season PATs - Griffin - 45Single Season Team Rushing Yards - 2438Single Season Team Rushing TDs - 25 Single Season Team Rushing YPG - 187.5Single Season Team Total Points Scored - 374Single Season Team Total Offense - 5136Single Season Team TDs - 46Single Season Team Sacks - 33Single Game Total Yards - 668 Single Game Rushing Yards - 448 Single Game Rushing TDs - 4

Darriet Perry

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GRIFFIN FOR GROZA

FIU junior kicker Jack Griffin was named to the 2011 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Watch List. The list features 30 of the top place-kickers in college football. Don Bailey of Oklahoma State received the award in 2010, which was presented live in front of a national audience on ESPN. Griffin is the only Sun Belt player to be recognized on the watch list.

In 2010, Griffin had one of the best seasons of any SBC kicker hitting an FIU record 17-of-20 field goals and connecting on all 45 extra points, which is also an FIU record. He finished the season riding on the shoulders of his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl as time expired in FIU’s 34-32 win over Toledo, the first bowl victory in school history.

THE WORLDWIDE LEADER

In August, ESPN and the Sun Belt Conference announced that the Sep-tember 24 matchup between FIU and Louisiana would be broadcast on ESPN3. The televised contest will mark the seventh of the year for the Panthers - Sept. 1 vs. North Texas (ESPN3); Sept. 9 at Louisville (ESPN); Sept. 17 vs. UCF (ESPN3); Sept. 24 vs. Louisiana (ESPN3); Oct. 1 vs. Duke (ESPN3); Oct. 18 at Arkansas State (ESPN2); and Oct. 25 vs. Troy (ESPN2).

PANTHER PROS

Two former Panthers recently made their pro debuts as Anthony Gaitor was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Greg Ellingson signed a rookie free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both players saw action in their team’s preseason openers, with Gaitor registering a sack in his first game.

THEY’RE WATCHING YOU T.Y.

FIU senior wide receiver T.Y. Hilton has been named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award is presented to the top receiver in college football. Hilton is one of three Sun Belt Conference players to appear on the list, joining Ladarius Green from Louisiana and Dwayne Frampton of Arkansas State. Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State won the award in 2010, which was presented live in front of a national audience on ESPN.

Hilton, a senior from Miami, has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous players not only in the conference, but in the country. In his career, Hilton has returned four kickoffs for touchdown, including one in 2009 against eventual BCS National Champion Alabama, and has aver-aged 26.5 yards-per-kick return.

In August, The Louisville Sports Commission today named 50 college foot-ball student-athletes to the 2011 Watch List for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, and FIU senior and Heisman hopeful T.Y. Hilton made the list for the second year in a row.

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T.Y. Hilton

Jack Griffin