Salisbury helps fuel Panthers’ surge

MIAMI — FIU assistant head coach Allen Mogridge said Newton Salisbury’s “chili runs hot.”

Salisbury is not a chef. He’s a 6-3, 265-pound FIU defensive end whose intense work ethic – or “hot chili” as Mogridge puts it — is so well known that sometimes opponents feel they have no other recourse except to pull at his long hair to try to stop him.

“It hurts — they will just grab a handful of hair,” said Salisbury, a 22-year-old senior.

“You can feel [your hair] ripped out. But I just keep going.”

Salisbury, who is fourth on the team in tackles for losses, will continue his pursuit of ball-carriers today as FIU (3-1, 2-0) visits Middle Tennessee (2-3, 0-1) in a Conference USA battle.

FIU has won three straight games, leading the C-USA East Division, and Salisbury’s all-out effort has been a factor.

Salisbury, for example, had a sack and was part of a goal-line stand that led to FIU’s 13-7 win at Rice on September 23.

“Newt doesn’t quit — he’s always trying new moves,” FIU offensive lineman James Cruise. “He’s like a different animal. Even if it’s a walk-through, he’s still trying to get himself better.”

Stetson (0-5) continues its push to earn its first win of the season when the Hatters host Brown (2-1).

Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.