The 2018 season saw FIT finish with a record of 8-4, earning their second trip to the
NCAA Division II Football Championship where they were eliminated in the first round at Lenoir-Rhyne.[1] The Panthers finished with a record of 5-3 in GSC play, including their first ever win over in-state rival West Florida with a 30-28 victory in Pensacola that saw them record the largest comeback in program history after trailing by 18 points in the first half.[2]
Preseason
Gulf South Conference coaches poll
On August 2, 2018, the Gulf South Conference released their preseason coaches poll with the Panthers predicted to finish in 6th place in the conference.[3]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
West Alabama
62 (6)
2
West Florida
59 (3)
3
West Georgia
44
4
Delta State
41
5
Valdosta State
38
6
Florida Tech
32
7
North Greenville
24
8
Mississippi College
16
9
Shorter
8
Preseason All-Gulf South Conference Team
The Panthers had four players at four positions selected to the preseason all-Gulf South Conference team.[4]
Four players from Florida Tech were honored as All-GSC selections by the league's coaches. Linebacker J.T. Hassell was named the GSC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the second Panther to receive the honor.[9]
The 2018 season saw FIT finish with a record of 8-4, earning their second trip to the
NCAA Division II Football Championship where they were eliminated in the first round at Lenoir-Rhyne.[1] The Panthers finished with a record of 5-3 in GSC play, including their first ever win over in-state rival West Florida with a 30-28 victory in Pensacola that saw them record the largest comeback in program history after trailing by 18 points in the first half.[2]
Preseason
Gulf South Conference coaches poll
On August 2, 2018, the Gulf South Conference released their preseason coaches poll with the Panthers predicted to finish in 6th place in the conference.[3]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
West Alabama
62 (6)
2
West Florida
59 (3)
3
West Georgia
44
4
Delta State
41
5
Valdosta State
38
6
Florida Tech
32
7
North Greenville
24
8
Mississippi College
16
9
Shorter
8
Preseason All-Gulf South Conference Team
The Panthers had four players at four positions selected to the preseason all-Gulf South Conference team.[4]
Four players from Florida Tech were honored as All-GSC selections by the league's coaches. Linebacker J.T. Hassell was named the GSC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the second Panther to receive the honor.[9]