YSU FOOTBALL Fla. Int. makes debut at stadium

The Panthers were 2-10 a year ago in their second season of I-AA football.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Florida International will be make its first-ever visit to Stambaugh Stadium today to take on Youngstown State.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
The Golden Panthers will be the eighth Florida team that the Penguins have played in their history.
The Penguins are 2-0 against Florida A & amp;M (1985, 1999), 1-1 against Florida Atlantic (2002, 2003) and 1-2 against Central Florida (1990, 1993, 1998) for a 4-3 overall record against Sunshine State teams.
Florida International, which will move up to Division I-A and the Sun Belt Conference in 2006, is only in its third season of football.
Winless on road
The Golden Panthers were 2-10 a year ago and 5-6 in their first season in 2002. FIU is also 0-10 in road games over that two-year span.
Florida International will be making its season debut today since its scheduled season opener last week against Jacksonville was canceled because of Hurricane Frances.
Even though the contest is being played here it will be sort of a homecoming for 14 YSU players, who all call Florida their home.
The "Sunshine Penguins" are Mike Andrews, Peter Berthold, Jose Galloza, Blake Halverson, Greg Jackson, Ron John-Finn, Norris Kennedy, Tyler Morton, T.J. Peterson, Justin Reams, Mike Roberts, Josh Tanner, Damian Wright and Jeremiah Wright.
The Penguins won their season opener last week, 35-13, over Slippery Rock.
The Penguins were one of four Gateway teams to post season-opening victories.
Southern Illinois, which moved into the No. 1 spot in this week's I-AA poll, defeated Southeast Missouri State, 42-3, while Southwest Missouri State edged Drake, 31-26, and Illinois State routed St. Xavier (Ill.), 44-14.
All four Gateway teams which lost were beaten by Division I-A teams.
The scores
Western Illinois lost to Nebraska, 56-17, Northern Iowa was beaten by Iowa State 23-0, Western Kentucky gave Kansas State a game before bowing, 27-13 and Indiana State was routed by Miami (Ohio), 49-0.
Three of the four losers from last week all have easier opposition today.
Western Illinois plays host to Division II Cheyney (Pa.) at 7:05 p.m., while Northern Iowa will entertain Division II Minnesota State at 5:05 p.m. Western Kentucky will play host to Division II Concord (W. Va.) at 8 p.m.
Illinois State will tackle Minnesota at the Metrodome at 2:30 p.m., while Southern Illinois will travel to Northern Illinois at 4 p.m. Indiana State is on the road against Eastern Illinois at 6 p.m.
mollica@vindy.com