Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 9-9-2004 The Beacon, September 9, 2004 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, September 9, 2004" (2004). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 137. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/137 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Student Newspaper of Florida International University THE BEACON Vol. 17, Issue 4 WWW.BEACONNEWSPAPER.COM September 9, 2004 THE BOYS ARE BACK IMAGE BY HARRY COLEMAN/THE BEACON PHOTOS BY GEOFF ANDERSON/SPEACIAL TO THE BEACON It is hard to believe that FIU But, the biggest move FIU play or two had gone right. will be no different. They will COMMENTARY is the fastest university to apply is doing is providing a free con- The offense has a talented duo face I-A schools, which are to I-A. Lots of people question cert for fans during the Western of receivers in Harold Leath and no joke. the move by Athletic Director Kentucky game. None other Cory McKinney. The defense has Strock knows wins are what Rick Mello to pursue I-A so than famous rappers Method a linebacker in Antwon Barnes eventually will draw fans to quickly but in the long run, FIU Man and Redman will be the who could be the first Golden the stadium, not bobble heads needed to do this. highlights at the concert. Panther drafted into the NFL. or FIU visors. He knows the With Florida Atlantic Univer- The Golden Panthers will also This is an exciting team with team is no longer young and By HARRY COLEMAN sity moving to I-A this year and play a home game at a bigger players that are hungry for suc- being young is no longer an Sports Editor with the University of Miami venue, the Orange Bowl. The cess. Everyone knows Miami is excuse for losing. in town, FIU had to make this team will face FAMU in the a win driven town and the only FIU will open the season It was just yesterday when move to avoid falling behind. Orange Bowl Classic, which way FIU will attract large crowds Saturday in hopes of draw- the Golden Panthers played The biggest question will be should draw over 20,000 fans. will be if the team can start win- ing fans and proving to the their first football in front of a whether the team can average FIU has some very talented ning more games. community they belong in sold out crowd at “The Cage.” 15,000 fans per game. players and if fans want football The team won four games Division I-A. The players are Fast forward three years and The university is making all to stay here they will need to the inaugural season and two hungry, the giveaways are set now the team will open its the right moves by giving tons come out to the stands. games the following season, to be handed out, and Method third season with games at of giveaways including Don Last year FIU had a losing but this doesn’t mean the team Man and Redman are on their higher stakes – Division I-A Strock bobble heads and FIU record but four of the losses regressed. The Panthers faced way; the question is, will you football. seat cushions. could have been a victory if a talented teams and this year show up? Hurricane Frances splashes out season opener By HARRY COLEMAN The exhaustion was home,” said a 15,000 home average requirement is Sports Editor felt by Jamarcus Green Silva. “The needed. who commented on the p e o p l e w h o “I am a big football fan and I was Palms were sweaty, knees were shak- depressing aspect of the live up north in going to attend the game to support the ing and players were ready but Hurricane cancellation. Tallahassee and team. I had not gone to games in the past Frances had other thoughts in mind. “That took a lot out of all those places, but with Division I hopes, I was looking Freshman and veterans alike were me,” said offensive lineman went home for a forward to it,” said sophomore Mikel ready to open to 2004 season against the Green. “It was depressing that we little while.” Urbistondo. Jacksonville Dolphins on Sept. 2 but the couldn’t play.” For many fans, The game has yet to be rescheduled Golden Panthers faced an opponent no For many players, this was their the canceled game left according to football SID Rich Kelch team can stop—a hurricane. first time through a hurricane and the desire for live-action who is doubtful the Golden Panthers will The players were staying at the Mic- did not take Frances as a serious threat football. face the Dolphins this season. The next cousukkee Hotel, (their usual stay before to Miami. “I was hoping the game game is scheduled for Saturday against any home game), when they found out “When I first heard of Frances I would not be canceled because Youngstown at Ohio and the next home the game was going to be canceled. didn’t take it seriously. It didn’t hit me my friends and I were all plan- will take place on Sept. 25 against Western The cancellation was a disappointment till football players started leaving to take ning to go and support the football team,” Kentucky. for both players and coaches. care of their families,” said Green who said sophomore Christine Guzman. “We Method Man and Redman will per- “Everyone was disappointed, the stayed in the Towers. had all gotten the days off from work in form after the game as FIU honors fans coaches were disappointed. We put a Many players decided to stay on the order to go.” with Fan Appreciation Day. lot of hard work over the summer so we university campus but took the time to A big crowd was expected because Fans wishing to attend must arrive could play this game but things happen visit family and go home. the game was the first the FIU Golden to the game prior to the fourth quarter. for a reason,” said offensive lineman “The team has a lot of Miami play- Panthers would have played under the Fans arriving later will not be allowed to Ronny Silva. ers, so pretty much everyone went transition to Division I-A football, where come in. 09-09-04.indd 1 9/8/04 3:30:30 AM 2 The Beacon – September 9, 2004 SPORTS www.beaconnewspaper.com Smith returns strong from tendon injury By NATALIE SABIA continued to get healthy in During his freshman year at toe he was unable to return. The Sports Management Staff Writer hopes for another try. Bryant College in Rhode Island, Despite a frustrating season, major, who is no stranger to the “I tried to get back and play, Smith was already a talented Smith headed home to Miami Dean’s List, came to FIU as s He rushes down the field but I couldn’t run,” said Smith player, who rapidly became a for a fresh start. sophomore and was non-other protecting the football that he who had gained over 1,000 glimmer in people’s eyes. “I wanted to get back home than team MVP after leading the holds tightly to his body while yards on 194 carries, before his He averaged more than 60 to keep playing, especially for a Golden Panthers with 784 yards passing defenders as they latch injury while averaging 5.5 yards yards in his first two games of new program like FIU had to over nine games and averaging 6 out towards him. He looks up per run. the year, but after breaking a offer,” said Smith. yards per carry. ahead in hopes to see the end As FIU’s leading scorer in zone near; this year, look for him 2002, with nine touchdowns, to be there, look out for running sitting out in 2003 was a major back Rashod Smith. upset for Smith. This season, it will be his “I had to learn how to walk No. 4 jersey sprinting down the again, but I’m ready to get back field, celebrating his rushing into the swing of things,” said yards, along with touchdowns. Smith. Standing at 5-feet-8-inches and As far as Smith is concerned, carrying 188 pounds of muscle, the Golden Panthers are ready Smith is ready for his comeback; for action. Their days have been the question is, are opponents consumed by daily practices on ready for him? the field, while getting focused Recovering from an injury last for the season. year, after slicing a tendon in his “Right now were taking one foot from a run in with a piece step at a time and one play at a of glass, the senior running back time,” said Smith. “Were get- is anxiously awaiting his return ting ready for Thursday [season to the field after an injury that opener].” was more serious than initially Despite Smith’s nagging inju- thought. ries he has endured and the fact “I stepped on glass in the caf- that he hasn’t played a full season eteria, but I didn’t know it was in a while, he is prepared to get that serious,” said Smith.