FIU expects return of two key defensive players before matchup with UConn

Brian Blades II, considered FIU’s top defensive player, and linebacker Percy Courtney Jr. are expected to return to the lineup Saturday when the Panthers visit the Connecticut Huskies.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m., and the game will be televised by CBS Sports Network.

This is the final nonconference game of the season for FIU (2-2, 0-1). The Panthers are coming off their most disappointing game of the Coach Willie Simmons Era, a 38-16 home loss to Conference USA rival Delaware.

After going through a bye week, FIU will now face a Huskies team that is favored by eight points. UConn (3-2) has won two games in a row, and its only losses were in overtime.

What to look for in the matchup:

1: MISTER OUTSPOKEN: FIU cornerback Mister Clark, a first-year starter, leads all Panthers players in passes defended with four. He also has his first career interception and he FIU’s defensive backs in tackles (22).

“Obviously I’m playing well,” Clark said. “But everyone is flying around to the ball. I couldn’t be myself without the rest of the defense.”

Clark and the rest of FIU’s defense will be facing UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano, a seventh-year college player.

Fagnano is off to a great start, passing for 1,201 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Clark, though, doesn’t seem impressed.

“We’ve faced quarterbacks that are better, in my opinion,” Clark said. “We’re working on cues and reads.”

2: CAN PUNTER RETURN TO FORM? In FIU’s two most recent games, Trey Wilhoit has had a punt blocked by FAU and a punt returned for a touchdown by Delaware.

FIU special teams coach Kenneth Gilstrap said he has “open communication” with Wilhoit.

“I let Trey have input,” Gilstrap said. “He’s the quarterback of the punt team. He may open my brain up. I may open his brain up.”

Gilstrap said the strengths of his special teams unit are its speed and depth. But on the 68-yard punt-return TD by Delaware, Gilstrap said his players assumed that Kyre Duplessis would make a fair catch.

“I have to do a better job of preparing our guys,” Gilstrap said.

3: REAL LEADERS: Gilstrap said backup safeties Demetrius Hill and Websley Etienne are leaders in the secondary … even though they are backups to true freshman Jessiah McGrew and redshirt freshman Shamir Sterlin.

It’s one thing to be a leader as a starter. But Hill, who started 12 games for FIU in 2022, transferred to Illinois and then returned, is helping guide the young players who beat him out. Similarly, Etienne was a starter at Arkansas State.

“Websley and D-Hill are the leaders of the group,” said Gilstrap, who also coaches safeties. “We have a good culture because of how Demetrius carries himself. He asks questions like he’s a coach. He’s unselfish. I’d hire Demetrius and Websley tomorrow [as coaches].”

4: BIG IMPACT EXPECTED: Blades, who missed the Delaware game due to a foot injury, could be crucial in checking star UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell, who leads the nation in receptions. Blades is also a key player on special teams.

“I’m optimistic about Brian,” Simmons said. “He doesn’t have any pain, but we are taking every precaution to make sure we’re not missing anything.”

Bell, who started his career at Wisconsin, has 42 catches for 499 yards and four touchdowns this season. He caught 69 passes in three years at Wisconsin, and he has 92 receptions in a little more than a season at UConn.

“If [Blades] is available, I really like our chances,” Simmons said. “Having our top corner to match up with [Bell] will help us be successful. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

5: PASSING TO PERRY: Wide receiver Alex Perry, FIU’s tall target at 6-5 and 210 pounds, leads the Panthers in catches (12), receiving yards (162) and touchdown grabs (two).

A transfer from Hawaii, Perry is continuing to build his on-field chemistry with quarterback Keyone Jenkins.

“I know the passing game hasn’t been what we expected it to be so far,” Perry said. “That comes with a new system. Everybody is getting used to the system. I expect in the next couple games it will flourish.”