FIU Football: Panthers look to avoid collapse in 2020
Offense looking to completely reload
The Panthers are going into 2020 with a completely new and young team than last season. They only return three starters from last season on offense that was ranked 83rd in the nation in points per game (26.5) and 91st in total yards per game (377.1). Along with the UTEP Miners, the Panthers return the least amount of starters on the offensive of the ball in the conference.
Butch Davis, offensive coordinator Rick Skrosky and the offensive coaching staff failed to create a high-power offense with the vast amount of talent they had. This season, they have such little dynamic and experienced playmakers to use. They will have to be patient this season to slowly develop their offense without putting too much pressure on the new starters.
Finding a replacement for James Morgan will be difficult for the Panthers throughout the offseason. He was not only a quarterback that has NFL-caliber talent but he was also their unquestioned leader.
The competition is down to redshirt junior Kaylan Wiggins, redshirt sophomore Caleb Lynum, and true freshman Haden Carlson. Wiggins was the backup to Morgan last season as he passed for 172 yards on 15 completions (out of 27 attempts). Carlson is the son of five-year NFL quarterback Caleb Carlson and has been getting a great transition by coach Skroksy.
The Panthers will have to replace their top two rushers from last season in Anthony Jones and Napoleon Maxwell, who both combined for 315 carries for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns. Senior D’Vonte Price and former Arkansas Razorback Maleek Williams will be coming back to lead the rushing attack of the Panthers.
The Panthers return their top receivers from last season in senior Shemar Thornton, who caught 51 passes for 668 yards and five touchdowns. Outside of Thornton, the only leading receiver returning is junior tight end Sterling Palmer, who caught 22 passes for 205 yards in 2019.
Although the Panthers only return two offensive linemen who started in 2020, they are considered one of the better offensive line units in the conference.
Senior left tackle D’Antne Demery and senior center Shane McGough are the two starters returning from last season. Demery was named to Athlon Sports’ first-team All-C-USA while McGough was named a part of their second-team all-conference. Junior Mershawn Miller played in 12 games and started in six of them and projects to start at right guard. Sophomore left guard Sione Finau played in seven games with one start while being named to the 2019 C-USA all-freshman team. Sophomore Lyndell Hudson Jr. played 11 games while starting one of them at right tackle last season.