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FACTS & STATS: Site: ASU Stadium (30,406) -- Jonesboro, Arkansas. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: FIU 2-2, Arkansas State 2-0. Away Record: FIU 2-0, Arkansas State 2-2. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, Arkansas State 0-0. Conference Record: FIU 1-1, Arkansas State 2-0. Series Record: Arkansas State leads, 4-2.

GAME NOTES: Arkansas State will attempt to remain perfect in league action when the Red Wolves host the FIU Panthers this Tuesday evening in a Sun Belt Conference clash at ASU Stadium.

The Panthers were able to snap a two-game slide with a 27-17 victory over Akron on October 8th. It was the fourth win on the year for FIU, which opened the season with three straight victories, one of which came against league foe, North Texas. However, a 36-31 loss to Louisiana in late September has left the Panthers with a 1-1 mark in league play.

As for the Red Wolves, they have won both of their league tilts thus far, defeating Western Kentucky (26-22) and ULM (24-19) in succession. The recent win over ULM was the third straight victory for Arkansas State.

The Red Wolves have won four of the six matchups against FIU, and three of those decisions have come in Jonesboro. However, the Panthers won last year's meeting, a 31-24 decision.

The Panthers have played like a well-oiled machine offensively this season, and a lot of the team's success has to do with the rushing game, fueled by the two-pronged attack of Kedrick Rhodes and Darriet Perry.

Rhodes is currently leading the team with 516 yards and six touchdowns, while Perry has contributed 318 yards and five scores. The rushing attack is the bread and butter of this unit, but quarterback Wes Carroll has done an excellent job under center managing the games.

Carroll only has six touchdowns and 1,232 passing yards, but the signal caller has thrown only two interceptions and in this type of offense limiting mistakes is a huge plus.

Rhodes and Perry were at it again in the team's win over Akron, as Rhodes rumbled for 116 yards and one score, while Perry added 85 yards and two touchdowns.

As for Carroll, he was intercepted in the contest, but finished with a hefty 308 yards on 26-of-38 passing. His main option was star T.Y. Hilton, who hauled in 12 passes for 144 yards. Hilton is the top playmaker on the squad and leads the team in receptions (37), receiving yards (641) and receiving touchdowns (4).

Where the Panthers have fallen short in the past is defensively, but so far this unit has been able to stay above water and keep the team winning.

Defending the run has been a strength, as the team is holding the opposition to just 106.7 yards per game on just 3.1 yards per carry. FIU comes into this weekend with 46 TFLs, while racking up 17 sacks. More consistency in terms of pass rushing is a must, as foes are throwing nearly 250 yards per outing.

In the win over Akron, the Panthers actually performed well against the pass, holding the Zips to just 157 yards through the air. FIU finished with an interception and two sacks. Surprisingly though the defense did surrender two rushing touchdowns. Despite that, the unit held Akron to just 105 yards on 3.4 yards per attempt.

Winston Fraser, who is leading the team with 55 tackles, added eight more in the win over Akron.

The Red Wolves are racking up the yards on the year (444.2 ypg), but the offense lacks big time playmakers. Arkansas State comes into this contest averaging 140.7 ypg, but the team currently does not have a single player with over 200 rushing yards. As of now Frankie Jackson is leading the way with 190 yards and three scores.

Quarterback Ryan Aplin has been inconsistent. Despite completing 66.0 percent of his throws for 274.3 yards per game, he comes into this contest with six touchdowns against eight interceptions.

That type of erratic play was evident in the win over ULM, as Aplin tossed three interceptions, but still finished with 261 yards and one touchdown.

Arkansas State's success has a lot to do with the performance of the defense so far. The team is allowing 21.2 ppg, and while that number is nothing special, the unit as a whole is managing to come up with big plays at crucial times.

The Red Wolves have been solid against the run, limiting the oppositions to just 122.8 yards per game on just 3.1 yards per carry. In addition, the defense has collected eight interceptions, while allowing only 10 touchdowns.

As a whole this unit has 11 takeaways. Still ASU has just 16 sacks over the first six games. Three of those sacks and four of those takeaways came in the win over ULM.

Kelcie McCray was responsible for two of those interceptions, while Chaz Scales finished the game with 10 tackles.

The Red Wolves have played extremely well against the run, but Rhodes and Perry should cause trouble for ASU. On top of that, Aplin has been a turnover machine, and if the quarterback continues to have problems in that area, the Red Wolves will find the loss column more often.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: FIU 28, Arkansas State 24