What To Expect From FIU Football in 2024

MIAMI, FL – After two straight 4-8 seasons under head coach Mike MacIntyre, the pressure is on for FIU Football to perform and to make some noise in a rather open Conference USA. Here at the Paws Up Podcast, we will have daily coverage of the 2024 season and show why we love the sport in the process.

Keyone Jenkins is entering year two as the starting quarterback. After starting 11 of the 12 games in 2024, he has been added to the CUSA Preseason Watchlist and has put on some muscle throughout the offseason.

Along with Jenkins, the Panthers are returning wide receivers Eric Rivers, Dean Patterson, and a crop of young players who have returned. Although Patterson was added as a punt returner to the Preseason Watchlist, he will be named to watch for in 2024.

The Panthers also are bringing back the majority of the defense from the previous year which is highlighted by linebacker Reggie Peterson, who also made the Preseason Watchlist. He is projected to lead the team in tackles and potentially make it onto an all-conference team.

The Panthers have also brought in plenty of transfer portal products from the JUCO ranks and even power conference ranks. The most notable JUCO addition was linebacker Travion Barnes who had 124 total tackles at Georgia Military College.

On offense, 6’5,” 220-pound receiver Desna Washington stands out as a red zone target and one who will bring a different dynamic to the offense.

Coverage Plans

At the Paws Up Podcast, we will be providing pregame shows, halftime reports, and postgame shows for all 12 games this season, either remotely or in person at the FIU Football Stadium.

We will also be traveling to Boca Raton in Week Three as FIU will take on their rivals, the FAU Owls for the first time since 2022.

We look forward to providing coverage as well leading up to the game with a game preview and recap on the Paws Up Page with our football writer, Jake Gibson. In addition, we’ll post midweek and postgame press conferences on our YouTube channel under the Paws Up On Location playlist.