The Golden Panthers hope to make use of their new shotgun attack in what could be an offensive battle against the Ragin' Cajuns and QB Jerry Babb.

Florida International witnessed first-hand last year Louisiana-Lafayette's unstoppable offense.

Piloted by quarterback Jerry Babb, the Ragin' Cajuns marched up and down the FIU Stadium turf with ease in a 43-34 victory against the Golden Panthers.

Whether it was Babb using a no-huddle shotgun formation, the Cajuns rushing for 143 yards or Babb scrambling around and through the FIU defense, ULL's offense was in control.

Luckily for FIU, the Cajuns' defense is not on par with their offense, leaving the possibility of an offensive shootout in tonight's game at Cajun Field.

In eight of its nine games this season, ULL has surrendered 24 or more points. FIU scored its most points of the season in its 31-29 upset of Sun Belt-leading Louisiana-Monroe last week after unveiling the shotgun.

''It felt great to work out of the shotgun,'' FIU quarterback Josh Padrick said. ``It helps the quarterback make easier reads. We're better able to see the corners and safeties without having to drop back. It's a little something opposing defenses haven't seen before from us. To have this extra edge, to be able to work out of the shotgun, is a big edge for us.''

With the use of the shotgun, the Golden Panthers scored 17 second-half points last week to match the most second-half points scored by an FIU offense since the Golden Panthers scored 17 against the Ragin Cajuns on Oct. 2, 2004.

Not to be overlooked is the recent play of the Golden Panthers' defense, which will be pivotal for a second consecutive Sun Belt win.

In the past three weeks, the FIU defense has slowed two of the conference's top running games in North Texas and Troy and kept Louisiana-Monroe mobile quarterback Steven Jyles at bay.

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BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@herald.com