Monday, Novmeber 4, 2002

Golden Panthers get ready for offensive-minded Albany

vs. Albany Nov 9, 3:30 pm

he FIU Football team (4-5) spent Monday’s practice in shorts and shoulder pads getting ready for this Saturday’s final home game of the year against the University at Albany, a team that leads the Northeast Conference with a 6-3 overall record and is recognized as one of the top offensive teams in all of I-AA.

Following last Saturday’s 32-7 victory over NEC opponent Robert Morris, UAlbany is ranked fourth in both The Sports Network and Football Gazette I-AA Mid-Major national football polls.

Albany will also come in ranked sixth among the national leaders in rushing (257.9 yards/ game), 21st in scoring (32.0 points/game), 23rd in rushing defense (109.2 yards/game) and are tied for 35th in total offense (388.4 yards/game).

Leading the Great Danes is junior tailback Gary Jones who is ranked among the NCAA Division I-AA leaders in three categories. Jones is second in scoring at 12.7 points per game, sixth in rushing at 120.9 yards per game, and 10th in all-purpose yards with a 164.0 average.

Jones, who ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday, established a new Albany season mark for rushing yards with 1,088 and became the first player in school history to rush for 100 or more yards six times in one season.

“They do a little of everything. They run the two-back option and they like to throw the ball. From what I’ve seen, this will be another test for our defense,” said FIU head coach Don Strock. “Our offense will need to put some long drives together and score some points. That forces an opponent to change his offense. We need to control the ball.”

FIU is happy that it has the extra time between last Thursday’s win over Jacksonville and this Saturday’s home finale against Albany to help cure some bumps and bruises. Defensive back John Haritan (Casselberry/Lyman) suffered a left shoulder stinger and is listed as day-to-day. He’ll undergo a precautionary MRI Tuesday. Running back Rashod Smith (Miami/Northwestern) is also day-to-day with a left hamstring strain and tight end Joe Struyf (Marathon/Marathon) remains sidelined with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise.

The team practices through Thursday starting at approximately 3:30 p.m. at FIU Stadium. Call (866) FIU-GAME or visit the web site at fiusports.com for ticket information.