Paws Up Preview: FIU Panthers vs LIU Sharks

DATE – Saturday, September 26th

TIME – 6pm EST

OPPONENT – LIU Sharks (Northeast)

VENUE – Pitbull Stadium (Miami, FL)

HOW TO WATCH – ESPN+

ODDS – Florida International -36.5

LIU is coming off its most competitive game of the season. They led 16-13 late in the fourth quarter against Villanova before the Wildcats scored with 1:08 left in the game to win 20-13. The Sharks had success running the ball, with 201 yards. Quarterback Ethan Greenwood had a season-high of 142 rushing yards in the effort.

Back at the crib to close out non conference play 🏠 pic.twitter.com/wXHaOmNIYI

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) September 21, 2026

Panthers Need to Turn Advantage into Points

JJ Kohl has thrown for at least 260 yards in all three of FIU’s games this season. He’s shown his flashiness, throwing a career-high of 367 yards for three scores against Buffalo. Against FAU, he finished with 262 yards and a rushing touchdown. Kohl is currently second in Conference USA with 930 yards.

Maguire Anderson has been FIU’s biggest weapon at wide receiver. After already having career numbers in two games, he bested them by catching eight passes for 139 yards last game. He leads the team with 324 yards. In fact, he’s 11th in the nation in receiving yards and leads CUSA in total yardage and yards per game.

Maguire Anderson is 11th in the country in receiving yards (324).

His 139-yard receiving performance this past weekend marked the 90th 100-yard receiving game in program history.

He also leads CUSA in receiving yards and receiving yards per game.

— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) September 21, 2026

FIU’s passing attack is facing an LIU defense that gives up 453.3 yards per game, including 273.3 passing yards per contest. On the other hand, FIU is averaging 426 yards of offense per game, including 316.3 through the air. The Panthers have shown they can move the ball with ease, but they have been struggling to score points, averaging just 17.3 per game. Facing a defense that gives up 37 yards per game, FIU must put this one away early and not have to look back. They should be able to hit the 50-point mark with no problem.

Sharks Offense Doesn’t Pose Threat

LIU is averaging 237.3 yards and 14 points per game while FIU’s defense is allowing just 258 yards and 18.3 points per contest. FIU’s rushing defense has been stellar, only allowing 74.3 yards per game. Their defense front has put up a ton of pressure against their opponents in non-conference play.

Deejay Holmes Jr. has recorded a sack in every game this season and Elisha Baldrige has three. Kenton Simmons recorded his first one of the season against FAU. DeAndre Boykins leads the unit with 20 tackles while Pickle Stewart, Baldridge, and Shamir Sterlin have 15. Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine still has the only FIU pick of the season. The secondary should enter this one eyeing multiple interceptions.

Who Will Win – FIU or LIU?

FIU has three simple things to accomplish against the Sharks: capitalize on LIU’s defensive vulnerabilities, prevent their running game from keeping them on the field, and not give away the ball.

Kohl and Anderson have shown they can stretch plays down the field. The Panthers should use him to their advantage early in the match to put up as many points as possible by halftime. FIU is 20th in the nation in total defense and should have no problem taking care of business once again. Most importantly, they need to come prepared to play on Saturday and not overlook their opponent. They must play turnover-free football and not allow an early takeaway.

FIU PANTHERS – 59

LIU SHARKS – 3

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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