Florida International (2-5) At Louisiana-La (4-5)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Cajun Field (31,000) -- Lafayette, Louisiana. Television: Local. Home Record: FIU 1-1, ULL 2-2. Away Record: FIU 1-4, ULL 2-3. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, ULL 0-0. Conference Record: FIU 1-3, ULL 3-2. Series Record: UL-Lafayette leads, 2-0
GAME NOTES: In a Sun Belt Conference tilt, the Florida International Golden Panthers will battle the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns this Saturday night at Cajun Field. The Panthers, who have lost five of their first six games this year, posted a thrilling 31-29 victory over the UL-Monroe Indians this past week. It was the first conference win of the season for FIU which is now 1-3 on the year in the SBC. After the Panthers clash with the Cajuns they will head home for their final two contests of the regular season. As for the Cajuns, they also lost five of their first six games of the season. However since then, the team has pulled it together to win three straight games, including an impressive 31-28 victory over North Texas this past week. ULL will have a bye next week before having to face in-state rival UL-Monroe in the season finale. In regards to the all-time series between the two teams, the Cajuns have won the only two meetings, which includes a 43-34 victory last season in Miami.
The Golden Panthers collected just 295 total yards last week against ULM, however despite the poor offensive display, FIU was able to post the two-point victory. On the season, the Panthers are averaging 343.9 ypg, but that has helped FIU to just 17.9 ppg. In the victory over the Indians, FIU collected 235 yards through the air, but struggled on the ground, racking up just 60 yards on 25 totes. The porous rushing attack should not come as a shock considering FIU is posting just 103.7 ypg on the ground (3.2 ypc). Since the Panthers were unable to produce a solid ground attack, the offensive unit had to once again rely heavily on Josh Padrick, who finished the contest 21-of-35 for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Padrick also led the ground game with 30 yards on seven carries. Considering the lack of support around him, Padrick has played solid throughout the season, as the quarterback has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 1,547 yards, but has just nine touchdowns versus eight interceptions.
The FIU defense was abused this past week by the ULM Indians, allowing 484 total yards in the contest, including 384 yards through the air. The passing yards surrendered should not come as a surprise especially since the defense is permitting 230.3 ypg. FIU allowed ULM to collect 29 first downs and convert on 7-of-13 third down attempts. Despite the poor performance the defense was able to force three turnovers to help seal the deal for the Panthers. Keyonvis Bouie, who currently leads the team with 87 tackles, had a busy game against UL-Monroe, collecting 19 stops, while also posting two TFLs.
The Cajuns are posting a solid 379.4 ypg on the season, but the offense has struggled to find the end zone, averaging just 22.7 ppg. Last week against UNT, the Cajun offense collected 436 total yards, which includes an astonishing 327 yards on the ground. The outstanding rushing total should not be surprising considering ULL is churning out an impressive 238.4 ypg on the ground. Quarterback Jerry Babb, who tossed an interception in the victory, completed just 8-of-11 passes for 109 yards. While Babb did little with his arm, he did more then enough with his legs, rushing for 133 yards and one score on 22 carries. Tyrell Fenroy also cracked the century mark, gaining 102 yards, while finding the end zone three times. On the season, Babb has completed 60.6 percent of his passes, but for only 725 yards and has just three touchdown passes along with three interceptions. The signal caller has also found the end zone twice via the run and is third on the squad with 267 rushing yards.
Throughout the season the defense has very rarely had any success against its opponents, allowing 30.7 ppg behind 405.6 ypg. Opponents have dismantled the Cajuns' defense with the pass and the run, collecting 199.3 ypg through the air and 206.2 ypg on the ground. Last week against North Texas, the ULL defensive unit had a solid performance, holding the Mean Green to 375 total yards, including a spectacular 112 yards through the air. The Cajuns allowed just 19 first downs in the contest and also forced two turnovers. Eugene Kwarteng and Tyler Norman both recorded eight tackles in the victory. On the season, Norman leads the Cajuns with 57 stops and also has 3.0 TFLs thus far.
Although the Golden Panthers were able to pull off the surprising victory last week, do not expect the same outcome this time around, especially against a ULL team that has one of the best offensive units in the conference.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UL-Lafayette 34, Florida International 21
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Courtesy of SportsNetwork.
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