FIU safety and punter looking to shine in their matchups against Texas-San Antonio

It’s the game within the game.

FIU (2-3, 0-1), which will be a 33-point underdog when it plays host to reigning Conference USA champion Texas-San Antonio on Friday night, might not be able to upset the powerful Roadrunners (4-2, 2-0).

But, even so, it will be interesting to see if a couple of FIU players – safety Demetrius Hill and punter Daton Montiel – are able to compete favorably when compared to their more accomplished UTSA counterparts.

For example, UTSA senior Rashad Wisdom, a 5-9, 210-pound safety, has already made first-team All-Conference USA twice. He is a fourth-year starter, and he has seven career interceptions.

His counterpart is Hill, a 6-2, 195-pounder who redshirted last year as a true freshman. Yet, despite his inexperience, the former Miami Springs High star ranks fifth in the league with 8.6 tackles per game.

“Demetrius has the tools to become an all-conference safety,” FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said of Hill, who has yet to pick off a pass. “He’s big and athletic, and he’s getting better.

“In the secondary, everything happens so fast. One missed read can cause problems.

“But Demetrius’ learning process has been sped up this year. He has range, and he can make plays. If he keeps pushing himself, he will be really good.”

Hill, who was FIU’s second-highest-ranked recruit last year, said he expected to play as a true freshman and was shocked when he got no action.

“It was mentally challenging,” Hill said of his redshirt year. “I was thinking I was supposed to play. I was humbled. My parents told me to wait my turn …”

Hill said he learned that “everyone has a role” on the team.

“Everybody came can’t be for themselves,” Hill said. “But going from last year to this year has been a huge step up. I’ve had to become a leader.”

Meanwhile, Montiel, who grew up playing soccer, answered the call as a sophomore when his high school team, Fort Lauderdale’s Cardinal Gibbons, needed a kicker.

After high school, he earned a roster spot at Marshall, but he rarely played, punting just twice in two years.

After transferring to FIU, he sat last year behind Tommy Heatherly, who set the program record with a 46.4 punting average.

This year, Montiel beat out Australian Jordan Doelling. So far, Montiel is averaging 44.1 yards per punt, which ranks tied for fifth in the conference.

He will match up on Friday against UTSA’s Lucas Dean, an Australian who made second-team all-league last year, averaging 45.2 yards per punt.

In terms of net punting, Dean ranks third in the league (41.3), and Montiel ranks fourth (40.8).

Montiel said he is proud to maintain FIU’s reputation for outstanding punting that has included Stone Wilson and Heatherly over the past seven years.

“Those are big shoes to fill,” Montiel said, “but I think I’m doing a good job.”

Montiel said he can also be a field goal kicker in a pinch, with range up to 40 yards.

So far, though, FIU kicker Chase Gabriel has been stead, going 7-for-7 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals.

Montiel said he doesn’t have the odd habits of other kickers, including some who wear different shoes for their plant foot and their kicking foot.

However, Montiel does like a tight kicking boot.

“I go about a half-size smaller than my regular shoe,” Montiel said. “You want that ball feel. You don’t want your shoe to be loose. But you don’t want it so tight that it hurts.

“I’m pretty picky with my cleats. I have about six different pairs in my locker. I try to mix it up every game – look good and feel good.”

FIU is hoping to look good on Friday – if not in the entire game then at least in certain matchups.