Motivated FIU Panthers set to host North Texas on Saturday
Mike MacIntyre knows how to motivate.
Case in point: When MacIntyre took over as FIU’s coach in time for the spring of 2021, he told safety D’Verik Daniel that he wasn’t a good tackler.
Daniel was shocked.
“I’ve never been told that in my life,” said Daniel, a 5-10, 210-pounder from Gainesville. “But this is college. I was new (after transferring from Catawba).
“You take the coaching. After that, in practice, I always had a point to prove to wrap up.”
About 18 months later, Daniel is such a good tackler that he is FIU’s starting safety. He ranks tied for second on the team with 17 tackles, and he has the only interception so far this season for the Panthers.
On Saturday, Daniel will get a chance to make more plays when the North Texas Mean Green (0-1) visit the Panthers (1-1) at 6:30 p.m.
“Pound for pound, D’Verik is the toughest guy on our team,” MacIntyre said. “He’s coachable. He went to work on it, and he’s become a good tackler.
“He also sees the game well as a safety, and that’s a critical factor.”
The only FIU player with more tackles than Daniel is middle linebacker Donovan Manuel, who has lost 12 pounds since last year and is now much quicker.
Manuel, who is averaging 14½ tackles per game, had a particularly impressive stop in last week’s 14-12 win over Maine.
FIU had called for a blitz, and Maine had a screen set up, which seemed like trouble for the Panthers.
Enter Manuel.
“I thought Maine might score on that play,” MacIntyre said. “But Donovan was shot out of a cannon to make the tackle.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ True freshman Keyone Jenkins, who is expected to start his second straight game as FIU’s quarterback on Saturday, began his football career as a center at age three. So, he has an appreciation for blockers. “I love my offensive line,” Jenkins said. “My life is in their hands. If they don’t protect, one play could ruin my whole career.”
▪ Wide receiver Kris Mitchell was named Conference USA’s Offensive Player of the week after tying T.Y. Hilton and Tyrese Chambers for the FIU single-game record for reception yards (201). Two of Mitchell’s nine catches went for touchdowns.
▪ FIU linebacker Khaya Wright began last season at 6-3 and 200 pounds. He now weighs 228, and that added strength has helped him crack the two-deep roster. The background on Wright is that he played at South Miami High and then got into eight games in two years at Georgia Tech. He made his FIU debut last year, playing four games as a backup.
▪ FIU right guard Jacob Peace, a sixth-year college veteran, said the most improved blocker on his unit is sophomore center John Bock II. “He will knock on my door with a football question at 8:30 at night,” Peace said. “He’s a football-oriented guy.”
▪ North Texas beat FIU 52-14 last year. But the Mean Green, now led by new coach Eric Morris, lost their season opener last Saturday, 58-21, to Cal.
▪ Wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin led the Mean Green with four catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He is a game-breaker with 21 career catches and a 24.1 average per grab.
▪ Mean Green quarterback Stone Earle beat out Louisiana Monroe transfer Chandler Rogers for the starting job. Earle completed 12-of-19 passes for 174 yards, three TDs and two interceptions last week.
▪ New North Texas defensive coordinator Matt Caponi plays a 3-3-5 system. North Texas’ defense returns six starters, but the unit lost five of their top six tacklers.
▪ FIU will need to contain Kaylon Horton, who had a kickoff return for a touchdown last year.
