NASHVILLE -- The potential for disaster was there for FIU last week.

Louisiana-Lafayette entered FIU Stadium averaging more than 150 yards rushing, and FIU had been giving up more than 200 yards rushing per game.

Add to it that the Golden Panthers were without starting linebackers Toronto Smith (knee) and Winston Fraser (neck) and it might have made for a long day. But linebackers Tyler Clawson and Aaron Davis and the rest of the FIU defense would not allow such a scenario to unfold. Clawson made three key tackles -- two of them for a loss -- in overtime, and Davis led the Panthers in tackles to help secure the win over the Ragin' Cajuns.

``I thought it was a breakout game for us,'' said Clawson, a senior who replaced Fraser. ``That is the type of football I love -- the downhill football and just making plays in the backfield. It was a great feeling to get back to that. It was a great feeling after we won.''

To get that feeling again Saturday afternoon, the FIU defense will have to contain probably the most complete quarterback in the Sun Belt Conference in Middle Tennessee junior Dwight Dasher.

Dasher is eighth in the nation in total offense, averaging 296.5 yards per game, is the Blue Raiders' leading rusher with 525 yards and six touchdowns, and has thrown for 1,847 yards and 11 touchdowns.

``What really sticks out in my mind is him going up there two years ago and him having his way completely,'' said FIU coach Mario Cristobal of the Panthers' 47-6 loss to Middle Tennessee in 2007. ``As you watch him this year, he does some things that are unbelievable.''

In that win two years ago, Dasher accounted for five TDs. In last year's 31-21 Panthers win over Middle Tennessee, Dasher did not enter the game until the second half because Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill started then-senior Joe Craddock. In the final two quarters, Dasher ran for 78 yards.

``He's a real athletic quarterback, probably one of the most athletic we have faced,'' said Davis, a sophomore who started at middle linebacker last week. ``Usually when we face one we have trouble. We definitely have taken notice that he is the guy.''

Last week, Davis and Clawson were the guys that helped the defense allow a season-low 126 rushing yards. One reason the two linebackers thrived was because they were prepared. The duo is starting again Saturday because Smith and Fraser are out again.

``When somebody goes down you have to be ready to step in and do your job,'' said Davis, who had nine tackles last Saturday. ``You have to be able to have the team count on you. So I just pride myself on that and always tried to be ready.''

Dasher might be the most daunting Sun Belt Conference assignment for the FIU defense because of his elusiveness.

``When you add a quarterback that can run you now have 11 on 11,'' Clawson said. ``Now you know you don't have one extra man like the defense has an extra man when the quarterback can't run. You have to follow through on your assignment every single time. Somebody has to have the quarterback in every single play and we pride ourselves on playing assignment football.''

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