FIU Spring Game Pictures

[MiRi]

It was a beautiful day and night at FIU. There was a very nice crowd. It was nice to spend some time with our friends (Fanatic, Roman, GPantera). It was also nice to chat with a couple of FIU football alumni (James Knapp & John Haritan). After the game, we (finally) got to meet Coach Cristobal.

Here's some pics and then the link to the rest will follow.


Roary was having a great time.




Mario and the guys walking through the Panther Path.


(Hopefully) our new starting QB, Paul McCall.





Link to album: public.fotki.com/cubanprncs81/fiu_sports/football-1/2008-season/fiu-spring-game/

[FIUFanatic]

As usual, thanks for the pictures, Miri and MaXx.....Likewise, it was great to share some moments with you guys over there. The event was another PR success, in my opinion, with (reported by FIU's department) more than 3,000 in attendance, breaking last year's number.

In my estimation, this event has the possibilities of setting up a very nice tradition over the years. The setup at the Soccer stadium was also very conducive to this event. Good hits and some nice passes, especially very early in the scrimmage.

[FIUFanatic]

Also saw a lot of what seemed to be local potential recruits for the following recruiting year....A succesfull event in my estimation....

[ffiiuufiu]

Did anybody catch #58 pound one of the Linebackers into the ground? He grabbed him by his helmet and kept slamming his own team mate into the field. It was right towards the final seconds.

[MaXx]

Nope didn't see that.

Although I was impressed with Paul McCall, towards the end of the scrimmage he completed a short pass to the running back (I think it was Ned). McCall then sprinted down field to throw blocks for his running back. Even the PA announcer noticed and mentioned it. You love seeing that kind of effort from your QB.

[blkpanther]

WHOOO HOOO Gold pants. Some board members will be happy! Now lets get back to the blue berrys

[yippee]

Apr 18, 2008 23:57:50 GMT -5 ffiiuufiu said:

Did anybody catch #58 pound one of the Linebackers into the ground? He grabbed him by his helmet and kept slamming his own team mate into the field. It was right towards the final seconds.

actually he kinda choked him. and it was 58 choking 54. pretty intense Leavine got thrown outta the game when that happened.

did anyone see McCall lay out Marshall McDuffee?? what a hit!!! a QB nailing a safety, wow.

[mjgpanthers1]

Yup, great job by Matt Winston helping to put this thing together.

Also, I got a pretty sweet baseball jersey from the garage sale. I think it was a steal (no pun intended) for $40.

[kevinkagy]

Great pictures as always!

[FIUPantherFan]

Posted on Sat, Apr. 19, 2008
FIU's defense bounces back in scrimmage
BY PETE PELEGRIN
FIU quarterback Paul McCall fired a pass down the middle of the field that receiver Jeremy thingyens snared and sprinted in for a 63-yard touchdown on the third play of the FIU Blue & Gold Spring Game on Friday night.
In the game's third series, quarterback Colt Anderson connected with receiver Marquis Rolle up the sideline for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

The rout was on for the Golden Panthers offense (blue).

Or so it seemed.

The FIU defense (gold) made some adjustments and recovered to stymie the offense and win the game 29-18 in front of an FIU spring game record crowd of more than 3,000 at the FIU soccer stadium.

''A lot of fireworks early on both sides,'' FIU coach Mario Cristobal said. ``But the defense came out in the second part of the scrimmage and really put it on the offense in a big time way: pressure on the quarterback, got the ballcarriers on the ground, forced some turnovers, did a nice job.''

In FIU's two spring scrimmages, the offense, with its revamped spread scheme, controlled the defense.

But between McCall and Anderson's touchdown passes, the defense gave a glimpse of what was ahead.

In the second series, the offense tried the deep pass again, but safety Jeremiah Weathersthingy got the first of his two interceptions.

''We just had to warm up,'' Weathersthingy said. ``We weren't ready for the deep ball. They kind of shocked us with that, because in practice they didn't really throw a lot of deep balls.

``We just had to get ready and settle down.''

Did they ever.

After Anderson's touchdown gave the offense a 14-3 lead, the defense stopped the offense on nine consecutive possessions before a missed field-goal attempt late in the fourth quarter.

The defense finished the scrimmage with stops on 10 of the last 11 series.

''[The defense was] really fired up,'' thingyens said. ``Because the first couple of [scrimmages] we were kind of taking it to them. They turned their heads around when we were playing well. That helped them, because nobody wants to play bad on this team. Everybody's goal is to be the best that they can be. When they see us doing good, that motivates them to do better.''

In the scrimmage, points were awarded to the defense for scoring touchdowns, causing turnovers, forcing a three-and-out by the offense, sacks and missed field-goal attempts. The offense got points for scores and converting three consecutive first downs.

Linebacker Jarvis Wilson set up the defense's lone touchdown by stripping the ball from quarterback Darold Hughes near the goal line, where several defenders pounced on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown.

By halftime, the defense narrowed the offense's advantage to 15-13.

In the fourth quarter, two sacks by Quentin Newman and sacks by Jonathan Betancourt and Reggie Jones, plus interceptions by Marcelus Manear and Weathersthingy, sealed the victory.

Despite not being able to play in their new stadium, which is under construction, for the second consecutive year, the Golden Panthers drew more fans to their spring game.

''[FIU] is growing and it's growing fast,'' Cristobal said. ``We have some great fans and that fan base is growing. It's a young program. It's good to see when there are ooohs and aaahs and there's all kinds of cheers. We had a good time tonight.''