GAINESVILLE -- FIU might have lost one of its top weapons on special teams at the start of Saturday's game against Florida.

Backup Gators defensive back Markihe Anderson rolled into Golden Panthers punter Carlos Munera's left ankle on the fourth play of the game.

Munera got the punt off, but apparently his ankle was dislocated.

Florida had stopped FIU's first drive on three plays, but the Gators incurred a penalty for roughing the kicker and the Golden Panthers' drive continued.

X-rays of Munera's ankle were negative. Munera returned to sideline on crutches for the remainder of the game.

``Looks like [Munera] has a dislocated [left] ankle or a real bad sprain,'' FIU coach Mario Cristobal said. ``He'll be reevaluated once we get home. I believe the X-rays were negative in terms of a break, so hopefully we'll get better news when we get home.''

Kicker Dustin Rivest took over the punting duties for the remainder of the game.

Rivest, who is having a solid season as the team's kicker, made punts of 50 and 42 yards on his first two attempts. For the game, Rivest, a former kicker/punter at Tallahassee Lincoln, averaged 40.2 yards per punt. He punted five times and had one punt downed inside the 20.

Defensive end Armond Willis sustained a hyperextended right elbow and had to leave the game in the third quarter. The senior will be further evaluated when the team returns to Miami.

BRYANT CLOSES IN ON BOUIE

Linebacker Scott Bryant entered Saturday's game with 290 career tackles, which was good for third on FIU's all-time list.

Bryant needed five tackles to catch former safety John Haritan and 10 tackles to surpass all-time leader and former linebacker Keyonvis Bouie.

Bryant moved up to No. 2 on the list after recording six tackles for a career total of 296 to surpass Haritan.

``It is a blessing,'' Bryant said. ``It's really an example of hard work paying off. Coming in my freshman, sophomore year, I never thought I would be in this position.''

In the season-ending Don Shula Bowl against Florida Atlantic at FIU Stadium on Dec. 5, Bryant will need four tackles to become FIU's all-time leader.

This season, Bryant steadily climbed the list, surpassing Baltimore Ravens and former FIU linebacker Antwan Barnes, linebacker Lance Preston and safety Nick Turnbull.

CHANGE IN PHILOSOPHY

After Saturday's game, FIU said goodbye to the guaranteed-money games on its schedule.

The Golden Panthers received $425,000 for playing the Gators. FIU got $600,000 for opening the season at Alabama.

Next season, FIU starts its new policy of only playing home-and-home series with nonconference teams.

FIU opens at home against Rutgers in 2010 and also plays at Texas A&M and Maryland.

The Aggies play at FIU the following season. The game against the Terrapins is the back end of a home-and-home. Maryland played FIU at the Orange Bowl in 2007 while FIU Stadium was being built.

``The way we are developing our program, we are only doing home-and-home games with nonconference opponents,'' FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said. ``We've been fortunate to secure home-and-home series with quality opponents.''

FIU also has future series scheduled with Louisville, Duke and Central Florida.