Written by: Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers’ 2024 season opener is still a couple months away. However, it is never too early to take a lot at IU’s first opponent. Over the next 10 weeks Hoosier Huddle writers will take an initial dive into each of Indiana’s 2024 opponents.

Week One: FIU Golden Panthers

Date & Time: Saturday, August 31st at 3:30pm

Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN

TV: BTN

Golden Panthers at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre

Record at FIU: 8-16 (3-13 in Conference USA)

Overall Record: 54-81 (11 seasons)

Last Season: 4-8 (1-7 in CUSA)

Golden Panthers Returning Leaders

Passing: Keyone Jenkins – 194-of-332 (58.4%), 2,414 Yards 11 Touchdowns 11 Interceptions

Rushing: Shomari Lawrence –566 Yards on 125 Carries 4 Touchdowns

Receiving: Dean Patterson – 28 Catches for 423 Yards 1 Touchdown

Tackles:– Reggie Peterson(LB) 104 Tackles (353 solo), 7.5 Tackles for Loss, 3.5 Sacks

Golden Panthers Preseason Predictions

Athlon: 4th in C-USA

Lindy’s: 8th in C-USA

Phil Steele: 4th in C-USA

SP+: 124th Nationally

Impact Newcomers for the Golden Panthers

Daniel Ogundipe-Offensive Tackle- Transfer from UTSA

Jaleel Davis-Offensive Tackle)- Transfer from NC State

Juju Lewis-Wide Receiver- Transfer from Georgia Tech

Biggest Questions Facing the Golden Panthers

Can Mike MacIntyre Take the Golden Panthers Bowling in Year Three?
Did FIU Plug Enough Holes on the Offensive Line to Protect the Quarterback?
How Much Improvement has Quarterback Keyone Jenkins Made?

Program Preview

This will be the fourth time the Hoosiers and Golden Panthers face off with this game being a makeup for a canceled game in 2017. FIU has had some NFL talent come through recently and this team does have some playmakers, including sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins and linebacker Reggie Peterson.

Head coach Mike MacItyre is entering his third season at FIU after taking over for Butch Davis who went just 1-16 in 2020 and 2021 combined. Davis had FIU in three-straight bowl games from 2017 to 2019. MacIntyre picked up the pieces and had back-to-back 4-8 seasons. The next step forward is needed in 2024.

The Golden Panthers were hammered with defections to the transfer portal including losing 1,000-yard receiver Kris Mitchell to Notre Dame and defensive lineman Jordan Guerard to Louisville. Programs like FIU are stuck between a rock and a hard place as the college football landscape keeps changing. Winning games could help, especially with a program in South Florida, but the future for many Group of Five teams is foggy at best.

Offensive Preview

The Golden Panthers offensive numbers did not jump off the page in 2023 as they ranked seventh in Conference USA in scoring at 20.8 points per game. However, they are not devoid of talent. The offense is going to be built around presumed starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins who played in 11 games last year. He’s a lefty quarterback who can throw it well, but struggles with accuracy. He threw for 2,400 yards and 11 touchdowns, but also tossed 11 interceptions. Jenkins can create with his legs as well as he scored six times on the ground. If he can take the next step as a sophomore, FIU’s offense will be better.

FIU will use a stable of running backs led by leading returning rusher Shamai Lawrence. They get Lexington Joseph back from an injury that sidelined him all of 2023 after running for over 500 yards in 2022. The third back is Kejon Owens who nearly ran for 500 yards as the back up last season.

The wide receiver group lost its most productive player, but return dynamic slot man, Dean Patterson who caught 28 passes for 423 yards last season. Eric Rivers (370 yards) and New Mexico transfer DJ Washington (336 yards) round out the projected starting receiver corps. Tight end Rocky Beers had 18 catches last season and is a nice target for Jenkins.

The biggest concern and question about the FIU offense is if they have the offensive line to provide enough protection for Jenkins and open holes for the running backs. The Golden Panthers brought in a handful of offensive linemen from the transfer portal and will need to patchwork a group that faces a P4 team right out of the gate.

Defensive Preview

FIU’s defense was worse than the offense as they finished eighth in C-USA in scoring, allowing 31.8 points per game. The Golden Panthers created just 12 turnovers giving them a minus-nine turnover margin. They also struggled getting after the passer, recording just 17 sacks in 2023.

FIU will have to replace five of their starting front seven including last year’s leading tackler. However, linebacker Reggie Patterson returns and he is a good player to anchor the defense. Former Hoosier Jeramy Passmore is the lone returning starter along the defensive line. He had just 2.5 sacks last season, but is looking to increase his production. The Golden Panthers bring in two edge rushers from the portal in Eddie Walls III and Giovanni Daivs. Depth in the front seven is a major concern.

FIU’s secondary picked off six passes, which put them near the bottom of C-USA. In 2024 FIU returns a veteran and experienced defensive back field with four of their five starters returning. That should be good news for FIU as they can only get better. Brian Blades II led the group with six passes defensed and 36 tackles including 2.5 for loss. Blades II will probably draw the assignment of covering IU’s best receiver.

Special Teams Preview

Special teams may be FIU’s most complete unit and it could prove dangerous in the season opener. Wide receiver Dean Patterson is a dynamic returner who can score from anywhere on the field. He will be handling the punt returns while Ross Fournet handles kick return duties.

Kicker Chase Gabriel is fairly dependable with the ability to connect from long range with four field goals from more than 40 yards. Punter Daton Montiel has a career average of 40.6 per punt.

The Huddle

2024 At First Glance: Week One FIU Golden Panthers

Hoosier Huddle