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FIU's Struggles Compounded By Injuries

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Florida International Panthers could ill afford to lose any starter on a team that is expected to struggle this season. But after just one game, three starters and one backup are already out for the Panthers.

According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, safety Demarkus Perkins, outside linebacker Davison Colimon, running back Shane Coleman, and guard Jordan White all went down with injuries in the Panthers' demolition at the hands of the Maryland Terrapins.

"We had a lot of [injuries]," FIU coach Ron Turner told the Herald. "We didn't have a ton of depth. Some guys had to play probably more than we would like them to. Hopefully, those guys who got hurt won't be too seriously hurt."

If White, a redshirt junior, can't go this week, his replacement is a redshirt freshman. FIU started an offensive line against Maryland that had a freshman left guard, redshirt junior left tackle, and redshirt right tackle, according to the Herald.

Against that backdrop, the Panthers must try to put together a game plan for the Golden Knights of the University of Central Florida. UCF pinned their ears back and went after FIU quarterback Jake Medlock last year and will likely try the same approach against an inexperienced line.

UCF spent last weekend thumping the Akron Zips, 38-7 in Orlando and will now bring their game to Miami to face the Panthers.

UCF gave up just 250 yards of total offense to the Zips while reeling off 476 yards of total offense against an overmatched and undermanned Zips defense.

For comparison, FIU's offense, which looked offensive, managed just 171 yards against the Terrapins while the defense gave up 576 yards.

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