Not only has Garcia lined up a number of recognizable programs to go up against FIU, but, in an unprecedented move in the Sun Belt Conference, he also contracted these opponents on a home-and-home basis.

“There will be no more two-for-one game contracts anymore,” Garcia said. “We want to give our students, faculty, staff and fans more opportunities to support our team at home. And over a five-year cycle, we’ll be averaging six home games and six on the road.”

FIU is scheduled for road games in 2010 against Texas A&M (Sept. 18) and UCF (Sept. 25). The battle between the Golden Panthers and Aggies also poses an interesting sidelight. FIU President Dr. Modesto A. Maidique and his TAMU counterpart Dr. Elsa A. Murano are the only two Cuban-American presidents presiding over U.S. universities. Additionally, Dr. Murano got her academic start at FIU where she earned her bachelor's degree in biological sciences.

In 2011, UCF (Sept. 17) plays at FIU Stadium for the second of that four-game series. The Golden Panthers will also travel to Louisville (Sept. 24) for the first of a four-game series, and then host Duke (Oct. 1), that season.

FIU concludes the two-game deal with Duke in Durham, on Sept. 1, 2012, and hosts Louisville later that month on Sept. 22, 2012. Home games against Texas A&M (Aug. 31) and UCF (Sept. 7) highlight the 2013 non-conference schedule and Louisville (Sept. 20) makes its FIU Stadium debut on Sept. 20, 2014.

Garcia hinted that other games against schools from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East are also being explored.

“These are great challenges that help promote our program,” said Football Coach Mario Cristobal. “This gives us an opportunity to perform on the big stage and play same big-time opponents. It is a tremendous situation for us, one that we are really excited about and one that we will continue to expand upon in the coming years.”

Cristobal also believes that playing more home games will benefit recruiting.

“The more our university’s name is put out there for the country to see, the more exposure we get and that gives us an opportunity to get into different recruiting. And with many of these games at home, we will begin to create that affinity with our community and fans and build FIU Stadium into a special place.”