The injury bug continues to bite FIU.

On Friday, the Golden Panthers learned they will be without one of their top defensive players for the rest of the season.

Starting middle linebacker Toronto Smith tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will miss the final five games of 2009.

Smith, who sustained the knee injury last week at Arkansas State, was hoping to return for Saturday's game against Louisiana-Lafayette, but an MRI revealed the injury.

Entering Saturday's game, Smith was second on the team with 45 tackles and 2 ½ sacks. He leads the Golden Panthers with eight tackles for loss.

Sophomore linebacker Aaron Davis started in place of Smith against the Ragin' Cajuns on Saturday. Coach Mario Cristobal said freshman linebacker Pooh Bear Mars would back up Davis.

The loss of Smith makes it seven starters lost for the season because of injuries.

Smith joins defensive end Jonathan Jackson, receiver Junior Mertile, safety Ash Parker, tight ends Dudley LaPorte and Eric Kirchenberg -- all starters -- and defensive back Dez Johnson.

They also have not had starting senior defensive lineman Reggie Jones -- who's ineligible -- this season.

HILTON'S STREAK ENDS

Sophomore receiver T.Y. Hilton, who was limited Saturday with a knee injury, could not extend his receptions streak.

``We tried to get him rolling,'' Cristobal said. ``We wanted him in the game. It's not fair to him. He came out and said, `I want to return this kick.' He tried to run the ball and it's not him. There isn't any sense in trying to force it with him if he is not capable of doing the things that he is as a football player.''

Hilton had caught a pass in 18 consecutive games but got into Saturday's game only to return a kickoff for 22 yards.

Besides Saturday, the only other game in his career in which Hilton did not catch a pass was his college debut -- the 2008 season opener at Kansas.

ELLINGSON DOESN'T START

FIU's other starting receiver, Greg Ellingson, didn't start Saturday because he didn't practice up to standards last week.

``Greg Ellingson was outperformed in practice this week,'' Cristobal said. ``There are certain codes that we live by here and certain things we are held accountable for and Greg was not up to par this week, so we are started Ariel Martinez and Jacob Younger.''

Ellingson did finish Saturday's game by catching the tying touchdown pass from Paul McCall in the back of the end zone.

FRESHMEN MAKE IMPACT

Defensive lineman Andrew Mattox became the 15th true freshman to play for FIU this season.

Mattox, who was the Osceola County Defensive Player of the Year last season at Spruce Creek High School, had an immediate impact, deflecting a pass and making a tackle for loss.

The 15 true freshmen to play for FIU this season is third-most in the nation among the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Only Tulane (17) and Texas A&M (16) have played more. Air Force also has played 15.

A HOMECOMING

Some former local high school players made their way home Saturday with the Ragin' Cajuns.

Tackle Jonathan Decoster (Miramar Everglades), quarterback Chris Masson (Miami Columbus), guard Jaron Odom (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson) and safety Maurice Rolle (South Plantation) returned Saturday to South Florida.

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