Paws Up Preview – FIU Football vs Monmouth

Date: Saturday, September 21st

Time: 6:00 PM EST

Opponent: Monmouth Hawks (1-2)

Location: Miami, FL (South Dade Kia Field @ Pitbull Stadium)

TV Channel: ESPN+

Betting Line: FIU -14

MIAMI, FL – There are some games where the film is too tough to look at that just have to move on and forget about the past.

For FIU, their loss to Florida Atlantic last Sunday fits that description well. What looked like a competitive game early on didn’t take much time before it became one-sided. The worst part is that it wasn’t because FAU was necessarily the better team, but that they just cashed in on every FIU mistake.

Sounds similar, right?

The Panthers are amid a two-game homestand and an entire month of playing in South Florida. For their sake, winning three out of the four contests in September would go a long way as they prepare for the CUSA schedule.

Now Homecoming rolls around, and they face a Monmouth squad who have never beaten an FBS team before. Is this a trap game or a redemption arc for the Panthers?

It’s Not How You Start…

That three-play drive from FIU to start the game looked so good you could almost forget how FAU scored 38 unanswered points to put the game away.

In wet and rainy conditions that also delayed the game by almost two hours, FIU’s running game was disappointing with only 87 yards against a defensive unit that gave up over 400 the week prior.

But the big reason why FIU lost was because of their sloppiness. After not turning the ball over once against Central Michigan, they coughed the ball up five times, including three interceptions by Keyone Jenkins.

While Lyghts was only 11 yards away from breaking a single-game record, his three picks along with a fumble set up FAU with prime field position multiple times, cashing in on most of the given opportunities.

Zuberi Mobley for the Owls had himself a night with 134 rushing yards and three touchdowns, torching a defensive unit that became more and more gassed as the game went on.

FIU’s secondary did a solid job limiting explosive plays, containing FAU’s passing game to 161 yards, which is commendable.

Still, the game could have been so much closer, and even have gone in FIU’s favor if not for the turnovers. They did a lot great, like a blocked punt in the back of the end zone and 101 yards for Eric Rivers – a career-high.

Instead, it’s the seventh-straight Shula Bowl loss for FIU, who last won in 2016. Both the Panthers and Owls will square off at least until 2027, so we’ll see when they’ll finally get the better of the team from Boca Raton.

Coming From The Jersey Shore

The Monmouth Hawks of West Long Branch, New Jersey are members of the Coastal Athletic Association, which features familiar opponents such as New Hampshire, Bryant, and Maine. They also house the Delaware Blue Hens until they join Conference USA next season.

Monmouth currently stands with a 1-2 record on the season, with losses against Eastern Washington and Lafayette to begin the season, but a 51-22 thrashing of Maine last week.

There are good FCS teams, and there are bad. Currently, the Hawks are playing like a combination of the two. Their defense has been suspect, but the offense has been electric.

That all starts with their quarterback, Derek Robertson. A transfer from Maine, (Who played in FIU’s win over Maine last season) he’s put up 1,135 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Robertson is looking like one of the best passers in FCS right now, with the most touchdowns and second-most passing yards. He commands an offense full of both veterans and newcomers alike.

Both Josh Derry and TJ Speight are receivers who didn’t see massive playing time in 2023 but are making names for themselves now. With 362 and 210 passing yards respectively and five combined scores, they look to be a dynamic duo that FIU’s battle-tested secondary will have to look out for.

Monmouth’s rushing game has been average at best, and that’s got to be a good thing for a battered rush defense for the Panthers. Rodney Nelson is Monmouth’s choice for yardage, (130 so far) while Harvard transfer Sone Ntoh is their option to punch the ball in the end zone. (4 touchdowns)

The Achilles Heel for the Hawks looks to be their defense. They’ve given up 42 and 40 points to both EWU and Lafayette to start the season. While they tightened things up on defense against Maine, they still averaged 34.7 points given up per game.

Both linebacker Sam Korpi and defensive back Deuce Lee have 19 tackles which leads the team, but Monmouth has only recorded three sacks thus far and no interceptions.

Who Will Win – FIU or Monmouth?

This KINDA feels like a trap game for the Panthers. Monmouth has a great offense and has never beaten an FBS opponent to boot. Smells like a recipe for disaster.

But FIU’s secondary has looked solid these past couple of games. Against a pass-heavy offense, they’ll be put to the test, but I think they’ll manage.

The Panthers ended the FAU game looking solid on offense as well. If they can replicate that along with their play-making scheme against Central Michigan, there won’t be much Monmouth’s defense can do.

It almost feels like a blowout-or-bust scenario for FIU. They have to look good against Monmouth and get a nice win right before the CUSA season kicks off.

This COULD be a high-scoring game, but will likely be more reserved than another 50-burger like we saw two weeks ago.

It’s Homecoming, Panthers. Pack The Cage!

FIU – 30

MONMOUTH – 10