Last year in his first season as FIU special teams coach, Apollo Wright did not have the ''good'' problem he has encountered this season.

With the Golden Panthers coming off a winless season in 2006 and a new coaching staff that included Wright taking over in 2007, finding volunteers to play special teams was a challenge.

Not so this season.

''Kids are asking me all the time to play special teams this year,'' Wright said. ``We had to get guys to play special teams last year, but guys are seeing the success we're having this year and they all want to be a part of it. It's a good problem to have.''

The FIU special teams made a few plays to begin this season, but in the past two games -- both victories -- the special teams have contributed as much to FIU's success as any other unit.

In the season opener against Kansas, T.Y. Hilton returned a punt for a touchdown. The next week against Iowa, Jonathan Nieves blocked a field goal. Against South Florida, Robert Mitchell blocked a field goal and punter Carlos Munera downed a few punts inside the 10.

STELLAR SHOWING

However, in wins against Toledo and North Texas, the Golden Panthers special teams were stellar.

Against the Rockets, Hilton returned a kickoff 55 yards to set up FIU's go-ahead touchdown.

Jonathan Faucher and Dez Johnson each forced a Toledo fumble on kickoffs that led to two touchdowns.

Last Saturday against the Mean Green, O'Darris D'Haiti blocked a punt that was recovered by Alonzo Phillips, who returned it 11 yards for a touchdown that put North Texas in a 14-0 hole.

''Last year, we didn't see the results right off the bat,'' said tight end Eric Kirchenberg, who plays on the punt-return team. ``Now we're seeing what we want to see. There's more energy and attention.

``I know all the tight ends decided to be on as many special teams as possible. Playing special teams has turned more into a privilege than a chore.''

Wright has made it a point to be detailed while coaching his unit. From the front blocking wall on return teams to his kicker, Dustin Rivest, who is averaging a career-best 60.3 yards on kickoffs, is 13 for 13 on extra points and made a career-long 43-yard field goal against Kansas.

`UNSUNG HEROES'

''A lot of our success has come because of the unsung heroes,'' Wright said. ``Guys like a Jarvis Wilson, who gets the tackles or Alonzo Phillips, who forces the tackles to others.''

With FIU beginning the meat of its Sun Belt Conference schedule against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, the special teams will have to maintain their level of play to help the Golden Panthers continue their recent success.

''Apollo has done an unbelievable job emphasizing the details of special teams,'' FIU coach Mario Cristobal said. ``It doesn't matter if it's a walk-on like O'Darris or a guy like T.Y. Hilton, he has really helped each one of these guys get better.''

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