Junior running back Kedrick Rhodes was held out of practice again Wednesday.

If senior Darian Mallary starts in place of Rhodes, he’ll be overjoyed. It’s got nothing to do with Rhodes, a friend of Mallary’s — Mallary’s brother is Louisville sophomore cornerback Andrew Johnson.

Mallary said his mother told him relatives at the game will wear jerseys that are FIU blue on the front and Louisville red on the back.

Improving in a snap

Long snapper Mitch MacCluggage will keep his job this week. FIU coach Mario Cristobal said Wednesday that MacCluggage’s clean record before Saturday — when a snap over punter Jack Griffin’s head caused a safety — outweighed one mistake.

Showing confidence

Sophomore Richard Leonard will stay on punt returns, although other returners will be worked in. Leonard has had two fumbles on punt returns, two muffs on kickoff returns and one punt return touchdown in three games.