Bowl Blitz: Beef-O-Bradys Bowl Pits FIU vs. Marshall

The former St. Petersburgh Bowl gets a lot of guff from commentators for its corporate moniker, but it bears mentioning that Beef-O-Bradys is an acceptable alternative to the MagicJak Bowl. See, the game’s original sponsor was the MagicJak, a product likely only meaningful to those who pay attention to cable television commercials. Essentially, the MagicJak Bowl would be akin to a ShamWow Bowl.

This season marks the first in the bowl’s brief history a Big East Conference member is not a participant. By virtue of qualifying just five bowl teams, the Big East was replaced by nearby Sun Belt Conference representative FIU.

Two of the most exciting non-AQ conference players of the 2011 season will be in action, and lining up on opposite ends of the football. Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry emerged as one of the most difficult-to-cover ball pursuers in all of college football with 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, 21 tackles-for-loss. All were categories in which Curry ranked no lower than No. 6 among all Bowl Subdivision players.

So vehement a believer am I in Curry’s importance to his team, and his production this season despite facing double-teams, I used my FWAA Bronko Nagurski Award nomination on him.

On the FIU side is wide receiver and explosive special teams weapon T.Y. Hilton. His production slowed somewhat after a torrid start, yet 2011 was still the best season of a standout career: 64 receptions for 950 yards, seven touchdowns and one off a punt return. Those statistics would likely have been even greater had he not missed the Golden Panthers’ season finale against MTSU, but Hilton will be in action against the Thundering Herd.

Hilton is the focal point of a balanced Golden Panther offense that averaged 26.2 points per game. Quarterback Wesley Carroll improved markedly from 2010, throwing just four interceptions this season, an improvement of 10. While defenses tried to key on Hilton, Wayne Times established himself as a reliable back-up option. Times caught 51 passes, second most on the squad.

The passing attack feeds off a two-pronged rushing game. Feature back Kedrick Rhodes surpassed 1100 yards on the ground and scored eight touchdowns. Rhodes added an element to Carroll’s game as the third most utilized pass catcher with 26 receptions. Darriet Perry was the thunder to Rhodes’s lightning. At 5-foot-9, 212 pounds, Perry provided a more powerful option out of the backfield that led to six Golden Panther touchdowns.

Slowing the running game is key to Marshall having any shot of slowing the Golden Panthers. The Herd gave up over 30 points per game despite boasting Curry’s impressive game — what that number would be without him, one shudders to imagine. Marshall gave up 1860 yards on the ground. Tyson Gale and George Carpenter will have to be active in pursuit to limit FIU’s gains.

That doesn’t necessarily mean FIU head coach Mario Cristobal will be content to turn his offense into a 1920s, rush-heavy throwback though. That the Herd gives up so many points yet scores only 22 per game suggests forcing a quick tempo takes the Herd out of its comfort zone.

In its biggest wins over Southern Miss and Louisville, the Herd defense ground those teams down to 20 and 13 points. Marshall’s offense lacks some passing punch — Rakeem Cato threw 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and 58.5 percent of his pass attempts for 1833 yards. Marshall is more apt to rely on ball control via Tron Martinez and Travon Van carrying the ball while limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities.

Grinding down the FIU defense won’t be easy. In fact, it’s a rather lofty feat. FIU allowed just over 19 points per game, ranking No. 16 among all Bowl Subdivision squads. Like its offense, FIU has a defense that thrives on balance.

Cornerback Justin Halley is a ball hawk in the secondary with four interceptions, and linebacker Winston Fraser is one of the most active pursuit men from the non-AQ scene. Fraser keys a rush defense that allowed 120.9 yards per game, 23rd fewest in the nation.

Signs indicate an FIU win, and one more step toward this still-fledling program becoming an annual team to watch come bowl season.