TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- They arrived here, in this Bear of a stadium, as they do for every road game: with no cheerleaders, no band, little fanfare, less recognition and barely any respect.

The smattering of folks wearing the FIU midnight blue and gold were seated in Section LL, as if to remind them, twice, what the result of this trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium would be -- an ``L.''

What these Golden Panthers did bring with them, though, is a quality that should continue to make this growth process more of a quick spurt than a painful progression.

They brought fearlessness.

They stared the devil in the face -- as far as South Florida football is concerned, Alabama coach Nick Saban still plays the part of Satan -- and performed more than admirably in a place they supposedly had no business competing. No such thing as moral victories? This was practically the definition of one.

The 34-point underdogs weren't supposed to be leading the No. 4 Crimson Tide in the second quarter. The Panthers weren't supposed make a brick-red crowd uneasy.

They were simply supposed to take their massive lump and convince themselves they were a better team because of it.

But the Panthers did more than that. They showed off a confidence normally reserved for that college football team from Coral Gables. They showed the heart of Miami -- an essence the program would love to have define it as it continues to build toward respectability.

Almost predictably, two Alabama possessions into Saturday's game, FIU was trailing 10-0 with two of its defensive players writhing in pain on the 20-yard line as the Tide scored its first touchdown.

GAINING RESPECT

That's when the Panthers proved that toughness combined with just enough talent can indeed make one of the country's best look beatable -- even if it's just for one half.

The ensuing kickoff landed in T.Y. Hilton's hands at his own 4-yard line. This is the same T.Y. Hilton who set an NCAA record as a true freshman last season by scoring a touchdown via kickoff return, punt return, reception, rush and pass.

So it was hardly a shocker when he darted through a group of would-be tacklers and badly outran a few more down the field for a 96-yard score.

Think the 5-9 Hilton didn't earn the Panthers some respect with that run? After the Tide managed a field goal on its next possession, Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin launched the football directly through a group of walk-ons on the Alabama bench. That would be out of bounds. That would be a penalty.

It wasn't even subtle. The Tide preferred to grant FIU the ball on the 40-yard line rather than allow Hilton another opportunity.

The Panthers turned that into a touchdown anyway, giving them a 14-13 lead and the pleasure of causing nervous squirms in the Alabama crowd.

The Tide eventually did their part to hold off FIU, allowing them the excuse of starting off ``flat'' one week after a clash with fellow top-10 team Virginia Tech to open the season.

But this was hardly a fluke performance from the Golden Panthers, who stayed within a touchdown of the Tide for nearly three quarters.

This team has all the elements that would indicate it is capable of competing with an unsuspecting powerhouse: A poised senior quarterback such as Paul McCall. A superstar, game-changing talent such as Hilton. A handful of sneaky good, slip-through-the-cracks-type players such as Greg Ellingson, the 6-3 wideout who uses his size to perfection; Darrian Mallery, the freshman back who led Dade County in rushing last season; and defensive back Anthony Gaitor, who easily could have chosen to attend Georgia instead of this potential-packed school deep in the heart of Miami.

The last time FIU was here, three years ago, it was a mess. Missing 19 suspended players as a result of an on-field brawl with UM, the Panthers left disgusted, beaten and lacking direction.

BIG STEP FORWARD

This time, they leave with a healthy sense of pride despite the ``L.'' Not only does a bowl-eligible season seem like a reasonable possibility, but there's a personality developing here. One with the swagger of Miami football written all over it.

It shouldn't be a secret for much longer. Even the national media is starting to recognize how much of Miami is in this group. CNN's Rick Sanchez is working on a feature about FIU, the only program with a Hispanic athletic director, Pete Garcia, and Hispanic coach, Mario Cristobal.

In the end, it's still a season-opening loss. An expected one, at that. And the fourth quarter showed just how much separation there actually is between these two programs.

But there was an unexpected fight in these Panthers. A fight that makes bridging that gap a lot less intimidating.

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