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FACTS & STATS: Site: Malone Stadium (30,427) -- Monroe, Louisiana. Television: Sun Belt Network. Home Record: FIU 0-1, ULM 1-0. Away Record: FIU 0-2, ULM 1-2. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, ULM 0-0. Conference Record: FIU 0-0, ULM 1-0. Series Record: UL-Monroe leads, 4-0.

GAME NOTES: The Florida International Golden Panthers will try to grab their first victory of the season when they open up Sun belt Conference action this Saturday afternoon at Malone Stadium against the UL-Monroe Warhawks.

It has been a slow start to the season for FIU, as the team has dropped its first three games of the year. After opening with back-to-back losses to Alabama (40-14) and Rutgers (23-15), the Golden Panthers suffered their first setback at home last Saturday when they were defeated by Toledo, 41-31. From 2005 to 2007 the Golden Panthers collected just four wins in SBC action, but last year the team was able to grab three victories against league foes.

As for the Warhawks, they opened conference play last Saturday with a 27-25 victory over Florida Atlantic. It was the second win on the year for ULM which also defeated Texas Southern, 58-0. The Warhawks have always fell in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt and since 2006 the team has accumulated a mediocre 11-11 ledger.

The Warhawks and Florida International have tangled four times on the gridiron, and ULM has won all four meetings, including a 31-27 decision this past season.

The Golden Panthers scored 28 second half points on Saturday, but it was still not enough for FIU to grab a victory over Toledo. FIU rushed for 148 yards in the loss, as Darriet Perry led the way with 60 yards, while Darrian Mallary added 31 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Paul McCall also scored two rushing touchdowns in the loss, but was a tad inconsistent with his arm, completing just 19-of-42 passes for 224 yards and one score. Despite the positive output in the loss to Toledo, the Golden Panthers have still struggled overall on the year, averaging just 20.0 ppg behind just 282.0 total yards per contest. The ground game has been really inconsistent as the team is churning out just 63.7 ypg on the ground, while Perry is leading the way with 110 yards on a mere 3.1 yards per carry. The passing attack has not been much better, as McCall is completing just 53.2 percent of his throws and comes into this game with only 610 yards and four scores against two interceptions.

The Golden Panthers surrendered 14 first quarter points to Toledo and finished the game by allowing 17 points in the final frame. The defense was absolutely ripped up, as FIU was gashed for 223 rushing yards, while also surrendering 343 yards through the air. The Golden Panthers also showed a lack of big play ability, forcing just one turnover, while allowing the Rockets to convert on all four of their red zone chances. Three games into the season and the defense is a mess. FIU is allowing 272.7 ypg through the air, but what has really crippled this unit has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are posting 219.3 ypg on the ground and out of the 11 scores allowed by FIU, eight have come via the run. Toronto Smith has been one of the few bright spots of this unit and comes into this weekend with six TFLs and two sacks.

The Warhawks scored 20 first half points against FAU on Saturday and never looked back, as they went on to win by a two-point margin. Offensively the Warhawks racked up 364 total yards, but did most of their work on the ground, churning out 157 yards and three scores on 40 carries. Frank Goodin led the way with 71 yards and one score on 18 totes, while quarterback Trey Revell added 48 yards and two touchdowns. Revell also had a solid game under center, and although he did not light up the skies he did manage the game well, completing 18-of-25 passes for 207 yards. Four games into the season and it seems that the Warhawks will rely on their ground game, which is averaging 184.8 ypg on 4.6 yards per carry. Goodin is currently pacing the squad with 298 yards and five touchdowns, while Revell has posted 126 yards and two scores. On top of his ability to hurt teams with his legs, the signal caller has completed 60.8 percent of his throws for 768 yards and five scores against three interceptions.

Even though ULM was victorious on Saturday the defense still left a lot to be desired, as the unit was abused for 489 total yards. The Warhawks were torched through the air, as the Owls threw for 347 yards and two scores in the contest. The Warhawks only forced one turnover and grabbed two sacks in the win, and also allowed FAU to convert on all four of its red zone chances. ULM might be 2-2 on the year, but the defense has performed miserably at times, surrendering 30.5 ppg on 370.2 total ypg. The defense is being torched for 256.8 ypg through the air, but out of the 14 touchdowns allowed by this unit nine have come via the run. Although the Warhawks did not have many big plays against FAU, the defense has shown it is capable of forcing opponents into mistakes and comes into this matchup with eight takeaways (seven fumbles and one interception). ULM has also made it a point to pressure the quarterback and thus far the team has enjoyed success, racking up 10 sacks in four games.

The Warhawks have not been dominant on the defensive side of the football, but the team has done more than enough offensively to prove it can handle a struggling Florida International squad.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UL-Monroe 38, Florida International 28