Florida International Football

Florida International unveiled new uniforms inspired by the 1980s NBC crime drama Miami Vice on Thursday.

The Panthers came in hot, riding a yacht on the Biscayne Bay with the new uniforms, which will make an appearance at home on Oct. 22 against Sam Houston State.

FIU also paid homage to Miami Vice in 2023 as well:

A press release announcing the uniforms explained the importance of the show to Miami. Of note, FIU is the only NCAA university with an on-campus football stadium in the city.

"Miami Vice was more than just a popular television program that aired from 1984-89 on NBC. It was a cultural phenomenon that had a profound impact on the city of Miami. The show's vibrant colors, pulsating music, and stylish fashion made it an instant hit, capturing the imagination of audiences around the world. But Miami Vice did more than just entertain.

"It put Miami on the map, showcasing the city's diverse culture and stunning beauty to a global audience, helping to establish the city as a top tourist destination.

"And perhaps Miami Vice's most lasting impact is the way it shaped Miami's cultural identity. The show's portrayal of the city as a vibrant, multicultural, and dynamic metropolis helped redefine Miami's image. Nearly forty years after its debut, Miami Vice's impact on the city of Miami is still felt today."

ESPNU will be the home for the FIU-Sam Houston St. game on Oct. 22, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Florida International's football stadium will bear Pitbull's name as part of a naming rights deal.

Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, the FIU board of trustees will vote on Tuesday to approve a five-year deal that will pay the school $1.2 million annually to rename the Panthers' stadium to Pitbull Stadium.

According to CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah and Richard Johnson, "EA Sports has been aware of this situation for a while and is working with FIU to reflect the Pitbull Stadium name change in a forthcoming update to the recently released 'College Football 25' video game."

Pitbull is from Miami and uses the nickname "Mr. 305" as an homage to the city's area code. He appears frequently at sporting events in the Florida area, including representing South Florida at the Daytona 500 in February.

Most recently, Pitbull was the halftime performer for the WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix on July 20.

Florida International University's campus is located in Miami-Dade County in Westchester, Florida. The football team has played at its 20,000-seat stadium since 1995.

The stadium has been named Riccardo Silva Stadium since April 2017. It was named after businessman Riccardo Silva for his support given to the FIU athletic department. The 54-year-old Silva is also a co-owner of USL Championship club Miami FC.

FIU is going into its third season with head coach Mike MacIntyre. Since joining FBS in 2004, the program has made five bowl appearances and posted four winning seasons.

The Panthers will open the 2024 campaign on Aug. 31 against Indiana. Their first home game will be against Central Michigan on Sept. 7.

FIU Athletics announced the death of junior linebacker Luke Knox on Thursday. He was 22.

Panthers head coach Mike MacIntyre released a statement on Twitter:

Knox transferred to Florida International ahead of the 2022 college football season after spending his first four college seasons at Ole Miss. He's the younger brother of Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox.

No further information about Knox's death was immediately released.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott offered condolences before Thursday's practice:

Knox joined the Rebels as part of their 2018 recruiting class.

The Tennessee native recorded 11 total tackles, two passes defended and a fumble recovery across his first three seasons before switching to tight end during spring practices in 2021.

He reunited with MacIntyre, Ole Miss' defensive coordinator in 2019 and a fellow alumnus of Tennessee's Brentwood Academy, by transferring to FIU.

Back at linebacker, he was competing for a starting role on the Panthers defense ahead of the team's season-opening game against Bryant on Sept. 1.

Knox, a business major, earned an Athletic Director's Honor Roll distinction at Ole Miss in 2020.

Florida International University has reportedly hired Mike MacIntyre as its new head football coach.

According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the Miami school and MacIntyre came to an agreement early Thursday morning and that the hiring is expected to become official later in the day.

MacIntyre served as the defensive coordinator at Memphis for the past two seasons, but he also has extensive head coaching experience at both San Jose State and Colorado.

The 56-year-old MacIntyre is set to replace Butch Davis, who was not offered a contract extension by FIU after going 1-11 this season.

While Davis' tenure at FIU started off well with an 8-5 record in 2017 and 9-4 mark in 2018, the former Miami and North Carolina head coach had a losing record in each of his final three seasons and went 24-32 overall.

MacIntyre has an impressive history of turning around struggling programs, which is likely why he was Florida International's choice.

When MacIntyre arrived as the head coach at San Jose State in 2010, the Spartans were coming off three consecutive seasons with a .500 record or worse and had reached only one bowl game in the previous 19 seasons.

San Jose State struggled to an overall record of 6-19 in his first two seasons, but MacIntyre went 10-2 in 2012 and helped the Spartans reach the Military Bowl.

That led to Colorado hiring MacIntyre, and he once again worked his magic there.

Before he was hired, the Buffaloes finished with a losing record in seven straight seasons and reached a bowl game only once during that time. After three more losing seasons to start MacIntyre's tenure, Colorado went 10-4 in 2016 and played in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

MacIntyre was named both the Associated Press Coach of the Year and the Pac-12 Coach of the Year for his efforts.

Colorado fired MacIntyre after back-to-back losing seasons in 2017 and 2018, leading to him becoming the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss in 2019 and at Memphis from 2020-21.

At FIU, the Miami native will look to return the Panthers to the level they occupied early in Davis' tenure when they reached three consecutive bowl games from 2017-19.

Florida International University receivers coach Aubrey Hill died of cancer Sunday, the school announced.

The 48-year-old was heading into his fourth season at FIU after also spending time at Florida, Miami, Duke, Pittsburgh and Elon, mostly spending time leading the receivers. He was a head coach at the high school level for four years as well, leading Miami Carol City to a state championship in 2016.

FIU head coach Butch Davis provided a statement on Hill:

"It was a shock to learn of Aubrey's passing tonight after his long battle with cancer. Aubrey was loved and adored by so many who saw him not only as a coach but as an amazing husband and father. We mourn his loss, but we will also hold on to the great memories he left behind and how honored we all were to be a part of his life. We pray for his family and loved ones during this difficult time."

"One of the greatest men I've ever been around," Davis added, per Brett McMurphy of Stadium. 

Multiple NFL players also expressed their sympathies:

Hill had already produced impressive results on the coaching level, but he is arguably better known for his playing career at Florida.

He totaled 18 receiving touchdowns on 87 receptions during his five years with the team, including seven touchdowns as a team captain during his senior season in 1994. The Gators won three SEC Championships under head coach Steve Spurrier during Hill's time with the program.

Florida International quarterback James Morgan is seeing his stock surge as the 2020 NFL draft nears, according to Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm:

ESPN's Mike Reiss previously reported on April 5 that the New England Patriots were eyeing Morgan:

"With only 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer on the depth chart, the Patriots almost certainly will add a rookie quarterback. The question is when.  

"They will cast a wide net, as usual. One example: League sources say Florida International quarterback James Morgan had a videoconference meeting with the team. Morgan, who grew up in Green Bay and naturally modeled his game after Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre, is an intriguing prospect who scouts say performed well in the East-West Shrine Game."

Morgan played the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Bowling Green State before transferring to FIU in January 2018:

The 6'4", 229-pound prospect finished his collegiate career with the Panthers in 2018 and 2019. He threw for a career-best 2,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2018 before tossing for 2,585 yards, 14 touchdowns and five picks last season.

Morgan was a prominent reason why FIU went 9-4 in 2018, capped by a 35-32 Bahamas Bowl victory over Toledo that he had to miss because of an arm injury. He was slowed in 2019 by a lingering knee injury suffered during the home opener on Sept. 7.

FIU's statement game last season came in a 30-24 upset over Miami in which Morgan went 16-of-30 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.

Morgan attended February's NFL Scouting Combine and recorded a 4.89-second 40-yard dash, as well as a 112-inch broad jump. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein provided an evaluation:

"It's easy to tell that the Green Bay native favors quarterbacks like Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers when you watch his tape. Unfortunately, while he has similar zip to the Packer legends, he's nowhere near as accurate and lacks any semblance of touch. Morgan is very capable of making impressive throws to all areas of the field, but his violent release and inconsistent footwork hinder functional ball placement and accuracy. His lack of pocket mobility and instincts make him too easy for defensive coordinators to assault with a variety of blitz packages. He's a tough guy with a big arm and the 2018 tape is the one to watch, but QB3 may be his ceiling."

An anonymous NFC director of scouting told Zierlein that Morgan "helped himself" during January's Shrine Bowl:

The NFL draft will begin on April 23.

The New England Patriots reportedly held a video-conference meeting with Florida International quarterback James Morgan ahead of the 2020 NFL draft.

ESPN's Mike Reiss reported the update Sunday and noted scouts believe Morgan is an "intriguing prospect" after a strong showing in the East-West Shrine Game.

The 23-year-old Wisconsin native is coming off an up-and-down redshirt senior season at FIU. He completed 58 percent of his attempts for 2,585 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions across 12 appearances for the Panthers.

Morgan enjoyed more success in 2018, his first year at Florida International after spending two seasons at Bowling Green. He compiled 26 TDs and seven picks in 12 games as a junior.

Ryan Wing of Fox 11 Sports reported the signal-caller's performance during the pre-draft process, including at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, has led league executives to see him as a player "rising up the charts" to become a potential Day 2 (second and third rounds) selection.

"I'm just kind of doing what I can to stay in shape, and just be ready to go whenever," Morgan told Wing about trying to stay ready amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Very strange not really having a set schedule and with everything changing day by day and new things coming up."

In all, Morgan posted a 57.2 percent completion rate with 65 touchdowns and 34 interceptions across 42 collegiate games for Bowling Green and Florida International.

He does feature a prototypical frame (6'4'', 229 pounds) and the pocket-passer style the Patriots prefer after finding more success than every other NFL team over the past two decades with Tom Brady at the helm.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranked him as the ninth-best quarterback in the 2020 class with an overall grade of 59.

If taken by New England on Day 2, he'd likely be given the opportunity to compete for the starting job with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer during training camp. He'd be an underdog who'd need to shine during the preseason in order to earn the top spot on the depth chart, though.

Morgan may benefit from a year of development time at the NFL level before being thrust into the spotlight anyway.

Former Florida International defensive back Emmanuel Lubin died Saturday after being involved in a car accident, the university announced.

He was 21.

"Tragically, we lost a great young man in Emmanuel Lubin last night," FIU coach Butch Davis said in a statement. "He was a hard worker, great teammate and was respected and loved by his teammates, coaches and staff at FIU. His character, work ethic and leadership were instrumental in leading our program to success these past two seasons. Our football program is mourning his loss and we will honor Emmanuel every day moving forward. Our hearts and prayers go out to his friends and family."

Details regarding the accident are still unclear. 

Lubin recorded 83 tackles and one interception across 45 games during his collegiate career at FIU. He is the brother of former NFL cornerback E.J. Biggers and stepbrother of former NFL safety Louis Delmas.

Former teammate Tyree Johnson posted a letter about Lubin on Sunday, thanking him for helping him "grow as a man just by talking to me and telling me the s--t I needed to hear...helping me get out of my depression stage when I was scared to tell anybody how I felt...

“Anybody who knows you would never say anything bad on your name because you literally lit up any room you were in...I never told you this because I assumed you knew, but you made me the man I am today. If it wasn’t for you, I’ll still be the same Teejayy from four years ago.”

FIU's statement says Lubin was pursuing a degree in liberal studies at the university. He went undrafted in 2019 but had "aspirations to play football professionally."

Florida International dug itself a big hole on Friday, trailing 10-0 against Toledo after the first quarter. But the Golden Panthers didn't stay buried as they won the Bahamas Bowl, 35-31, behind quarterback Christian Alexander and running back Anthony Jones.

The junior QB was a weapon both through the air (219 passing yards and a score) and on the ground (83 rushing yards on 11 attempts). FIU controlled the line of scrimmage, rushing for 237 yards in the win, led by Jones' 92 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Eli Peters played well for Toledo in the loss, throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns, though he did miss on several open receivers down the field early in the contest. 

After watching Toledo jump to a 10-0 lead, the Golden Panthers roared back and held a 28-17 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining. Toledo answered with a touchdown and two-point conversion on its next possession, setting up the game's defining sequence.

FIU took over with seven minutes remaining and drove to the Toledo 33-yard line with 2:40 remaining, finding itself in a crucial 4th-and-6 situation. It appeared the Golden Panthers would attempt a 50-yard field goal, but the offense was instead trotted back onto the field and Alexander completed a six-yard pass to Tony Gaiter IV, getting a first down by inches. 

The spot on the field was reviewed and the first down was confirmed. Two plays later, Jones raced 18 yards for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach. 

It was an incredible finish to the season for Jones, who was shot in the back, alongside teammate Mershawn Miller, in a drive-by shooting on Sept. 6. Jones spoke about the shooting with Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press (h/t Sun-Sentinel.com) earlier in December:

"That first night, I asked God, 'Why me?' I did. You know I did. I just wished I could rewind time, man. Why me? I don't ever do anything to anybody. I'm a good dude. I respect everybody. I'm a respectful man. My momma raised me right. I've never done anything to anybody. I just want to play football, graduate, get my degree and help my family.

"I have that chance now. A second chance."

Jones, the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, returned to the team in November. Frankly, it was remarkable that he survived, as head coach Butch Jones recalled:

"The doctor at the hospital when it happened told me, 'Coach, I've been doing this for like 18 years and I've never seen anybody survive this. And then he described the bullet wounds, where they went, what they didn't touch. For that shot to go through and not hit any organs, any bones, any nerve tissue, he said it's a miracle. It honestly is a miracle."

The bullet entered Jones' back near his collarbone and exited his body between his left eye and cheekbone, while Miller was shot in his arm and returned to the team after Jones since his wound damaged muscle. 

For the Golden Panthers, having both back in action was sweet, as was posting a school-record nine wins after losing the first game of the season to Indiana and opening the year 2-2:

On a windy day in the Bahamas, Jones and the Panthers were knocked down but refused to stay down. For both player and program, it was a fitting metaphor for the 2018 campaign.