Unwelcome weather delays keep FIU football from having consistent practices

JULY 28, 2023 3:35 PM
Just in case someone has an extra $40 million lying around …
For the third time in three days, FIU’s football team had its practices delayed by lightning Friday as the Panthers attempt to prepare for their season opener on August 26 at Louisiana Tech.
In response to a question, second-year FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said: “We definitely would love to have an indoor practice facility.”
That’s where that extra $40 million from an FIU donor would come in handy since that’s the total the Miami Hurricanes spent for their facility in 2018.
But if that donation doesn’t arrive at FIU’s doorstep anytime soon, MacIntyre — ever positive — said there are benefits to practicing in Miami’s tempestuous weather.
“When you play in Florida — we have six games down here this year plus, hopefully, a Conference USA championship — you have a good chance that you are going to have [games delayed by lightning]. This [delay] gives our kids a chance to be ready for that.
“We’re a morning-practice team, and usually it doesn’t it doesn’t do this [lightning] as much in the morning. But the ocean is so hot right now, and [the bad weather] is rolling in.”
As soon as the lightning clears, MacIntyre has his players practice in the rain so they can get used to throwing and catching wet footballs.
MacIntyre said the rain — as well as the often brutal heat and humidity — “needs to be an advantage” against rival teams that are not used to South Florida conditions, especially early in the season.
“We’d like to have an indoor [facility], but, even if we did there would be times we’d be practicing in the rain to get used to that.”
David Yost, who is in his second year as FIU’s offensive coordinator, said it has been 23 years since he has coached at a school without an indoor practice facility.
The last time it happened was at Toledo in 2000. Since then,Yost has coached at Missouri, Washington State, Oregon, Utah State and Texas Tech.
“You have to play in the elements,” Yost said. “Everywhere I’ve ever been, [the thought was that] you have to have at least two ‘rain days’ [to prepare for the elements in a season].
“But you don’t want to have 20 rain days. Having a facility where you can go inside and still be able to throw, catch and run is important, but you deal with what you’ve got.”
FIU running back Kejon Owens put it best when asked about the third straight lightning delay, which, of course, was followed rather quickly by sunshine.
“The Miami weather,” said Owens, who grew up here and played at Miami Central High, “is kind of bipolar.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ Asked to name a player who has improved, Yost first mentioned wide receiver Eric Rivers, a transfer from Memphis who is “leaps and bounds” better now as compared to the spring. Rivers is coming off knee surgery, but Yost said he’s “now healthy and strong.”
▪ Wide receiver Artez Hooker, who has dealt with injuries also, has also impressed, Yost said.
▪ Tight end Jackson McDonald and 6-9, 290-pound offensive tackle Travis Burke were also lauded by Yost.