LOOKING GOOD
If there's been a bright spot for the Golden Panthers through the first two games, it's been on special teams. T.Y. Hilton is averaging 32.0 yards per return on three punts, including a 74-yard return for a touchdown. Julian Reams is averaging 23 yards per kickoff return, Carlos Munera ranks 25th in Division I in punting average at 41.79 yards per game, and placekicker Dustin Rivest has made his only field-goal attempt from 50 yards.

STILL NEEDS WORK
It's been a terrible start for the offense. FIU may need to find more creative ways to get speedy T.Y. Hilton the ball. Pass-protection consistently broke down in the 42-0 loss at Iowa. Starting running back A'mod Ned hasn't provided consistency in the running game.

STAR WATCH
WR/KR T.Y. Hilton is living up to his hype, which isn't easy for a true freshman to do. Hilton has scored FIU's lone touchdown this year on a 74-yard punt return. On defense, LB Scott Bryant is averaging 9.0 tackles per game and has already forced two fumbles.

CRITICAL DECISION
Cristobal opted to go with Paul McCall over Wayne Younger as starting quarterback based on what he saw in fall camp. But McCall has struggled to get the offense moving, in part because FIU has been physically overmatched against its first two opponents (Kansas, Iowa). Still, McCall must play better to keep his job and give FIU a chance to improve in Sun Belt Conference play.

ROSTER REPORT

--OL Mario Caraballo could return for the USF game after missing the first two games of the season with a foot injury.

--RB Julian Reams suffered a concussion during the Iowa game and will be monitored closely during the bye week. Reams is currently questionable for USF.

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