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Hard work pays dividends for FIU punter Carlos Munera

The punter with the pulled hamstring had finished his walk-on tryout at one of the FIU intramural fields last year before he moved to an adjacent soccer field to keep kicking.

FIU special teams coach Apollo Wright and several other assistant coaches were looking over other walk-on hopefuls when they heard the thumping sound behind them on the soccer field. They saw punts that were soaring above the height of the six-floor parking garage across from FIU's U.S. Century Bank Arena.

Carlos Munera kept punting, trying to get a longer hang time and a farther kick.

FIU punter Carlos Munera looking sharp

Before camp began, the FIU coaching staff was unsure who would be handling punting duties this season.

Kickers Dustin Rivest and Jack Griffin were expected to compete for the punting and kicking jobs. But when senior punter Carlos Munera was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA for an additional season, the punting picture cleared up for the Golden Panthers.

Not knowing if he would be eligible for a fifth season, Munera, who averaged 41 yards per punt last season to earn All-Sun Belt Conference honors, stayed in shape during the offseason. And it has paid off in camp.

X-Rays negative on FIU's Carlos Munera

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.

FIU shifts focus to annual showdown with FAU in Shula Bowl

With their toughest game of the season behind them, the FIU Golden Panthers have Saturday off before finishing up against FAU on Dec. 5 in the annual Don Shula Bowl at FIU Stadium.

The Panthers hope to work out some kinks to help bring the Don Shula Trophy back to FIU.

Although the Panthers are not at the same level as the top-ranked Florida Gators, who won 62-3 on Saturday in Gainesville, FIU had some opportunities but did not capitalize.

Fast start for FIU ends abruptly against Louisiana-Monroe

For the first time this season, FIU got off to a fast start.

The Golden Panthers offense scored early and the FIU defense got two interceptions in the first quarter against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday afternoon.

FIU seemed poised for a big game at Malone Stadium -- the sight of the Panthers' first-ever Division I win back in 2005.