Disastrous Season For FIU Football Continues, Stunned By Kennesaw State

In what has become a season defined by heartbreak for FIU Football, their woes continued today in North Georgia as they fell to Kennesaw State by a score of 27-26, giving the Owls their second-ever win as a member of FBS.

To give credit where it’s due, KSU played with a lot of heart today, especially with the obstacles they’ve had to overcome with the firing of their head coach and a host of players entering the transfer portal.

FIU looked like they were on the right track in the second quarter. After starting slow offensively, they scored three straight touchdowns, ultimately taking a 20-17 lead into halftime.

Keyone Jenkins was on it in that second quarter, throwing for all three scores to Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson, who were the dynamic duo that we expected.

However, everything flipped in the second half. Kennesaw brought pressure on almost every play from their third quarter onward, and it worked to great effect.

The Panthers managed a pair of field goals in their first two drives in the second half. (KSU fumbled the ball on the ensuing kick return) Buy beyond that? Absolutely nothing for the rest of the game.

All the while, Kennesaw couldn’t get anything going, either. They swapped quarterbacks for a couple of drives in the third quarter but that proved to be a disaster as CJ Christian recorded an interception in the process.

Despite being given opportunities to capitalize and extend their lead, FIU’s offense couldn’t deliver. We still haven’t seen a single-game 100-yard rusher for FIU, as Devonte Lyons came up just short with 99.

Trailing by two points, Kennesaw’s defense forced a fumble from Jenkins, leading to a game-winning field goal with a little over a minute to go. Jenkins ultimately threw an interception on their final drive, sealing the game.

It was a tale of two halves. The explosive offense in the first half faded away, and while the defense was solid overall, giving FIU’s offense a chance to extend their lead, they couldn’t stop the Owls when it mattered the most.

With a record of 3-8, the Panthers will try to end the season on a positive note as they host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Saturday, November 30th at 2pm.