FIU AD Pete Garcia said that he recently informed Miami AD Blake James he was "looking at Marlins Park" as a possible host for the revived football matchup set for '19, according to Matt Porter of the PALM BEACH POST. It would be a "home game for FIU, part of the home-and-home series the schools agreed to" in '14. FIU’s Riccardo Silva Stadium, which has fit as many as 22,682 fans for a game, is "too small to host such an event." FIU entered the agreement "acknowledging its on-campus stadium needed work." James said Friday that he "believed FIU had considered Hard Rock Stadium, which would be his preference." He cited a "poor seating arrangement for football at Marlins Park, with awkward angles for fans." James: "When you look at the configuration of the stadium for a football game, a lot of seats have either obstructed views or not a great view. ... It wouldn’t be a fit for us on an ongoing basis.” Meanwhile, James said that he "hopes to play a neutral-site game in Orlando against a marquee, Power Five opponent" in either '23 or '24. UM is scheduled to open the '19 season at Camping World Stadium against Florida (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 3/23).
