Paws Up Preview - FIU Football vs Bethune-Cookman

DATE – Friday, August 29th

TIME – 7pm EST

OPPONENT – Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (SWAC)

VENUE – South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium (Miami, FL)

HOW TO WATCH – ESPN+

ODDS – N/A

The long waiting period for the college football season is just about over. The FIU Panthers will be back in action this Friday night as they look to start the season strong against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.

It’s go time for this FIU squad featuring a revitalized roster and coaching staff. After multiple 4-8 seasons, the Panthers are now under head coach Willie Simmons, who will look to keep his streak of winning seasons as a head coach intact.

Friday night, the @HCWillieSimmons era officially kicks off in the 305 😎 pic.twitter.com/HtsSjmbqS3

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) August 25, 2025

The Panthers are looking to get into a bowl game for the first time since 2019. They’re competing in a new-look Conference USA, with a whole heap of new coaches, rosters, and even members – Delaware and Missouri State.

But before all that, FIU is set to take on an HBCU program from Daytona Beach. Even though they’re an FCS program, that hasn’t stopped prior FCS opponents from taking the stage and giving the Panthers a run for their money in recent years – something that FIU will look to avoid in 2025.

An Offensive Showcase

In these Spring and Fall practices, we’ve seen a blend of familiarity and newness that’s become the standard in college football. You never know what a roster can look like from one season to another, thanks to the transfer portal and NIL, especially in the Group of Five. So all things considered, the turnover for FIU from 2024 is not too shabby.

And it all starts with Keyone Jenkins, who’s returning for his third season with the Panthers. It’s seemingly rare nowadays to retain a solid quarterback for three seasons, but Lyghtz is on a mission to prove he’s more than just solid. In two seasons with the Panthers, Jenkins has thrown for 4,971 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.

The preseason accolades he’s received speak for themselves, including the 2025 CUSA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. There will be challenges, including a new receiving core that’s missing his top two targets from last season – Dean Patterson and Eric Rivers. Thanks, Georgia Tech. Be on the lookout for potential playmakers like Alex Perry, Kyle McNeal, and Tar’Varish Dawson.

But there is familiarity in the running game with Kejon Owens and Devonte Lyons. Combine that with an intriguing transfer in Anthony Carrie, and the Panthers might have a three-headed monster in the RB room.

Familiarity On Defense

The FIU offense is sporting a new offensive coordinator in Nick Coleman, but the defense? It falls on defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt to rally the troops, and he’s got a well-versed coaching staff to back him up.

Anthony Gaitor is commanding the secondary once again. The defensive backs FIU boasts might be just as stacked roster-wise as the wide receivers. Brian Blades II and Victor Evans III are explosive returners, while transfer Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine brings his talents from the power conference level (Arizona) to the 305.

The linebackers are another group with talent to spare. Be on the lookout for Percy Courtney Jr. In his redshirt junior season, he’s looking to bulk up his playing time on the field. Last season, he was a reserve linebacker who saw some action on special teams. Now, he’s a projected starter who has impressed the coaching staff during camps.

It’s Time To Cook, Man

Bethune-Cookman hails from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, or SWAC. The not-so-southwestern conference features HBCU members from the southeastern US. That includes two colleges where Willie Simmons used to coach, Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M. B-CU is located in Daytona Beach, northeast of Orlando, and is approximately a four-hour drive away on I-95.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they’re hobbling into 2025. Last season, they posted a 2-10 record. The worst loss might have been to Clark-Atlanta, a Division II school, in a 38-37 heartbreaker. After starting the season with seven straight losses, they secured a long-needed win over Mississippi Valley State, followed by another win against Grambling State two weeks later.

Historically, however, B-CU has had the advantage over FIU. They’ve won all four meetings against the Panthers, which came in 2002 (FIU’s inaugural season), 2003, 2013, and 2014.

No Surprises Here

Coach Simmons noted this, alongside a feeling of nostalgia when preparing for Bethune-Cookman once again. While it’s not a rivalry for FIU, beating B-CU will always be cathartic for the former coach of Florida A&M – Bethune’s biggest rival.

One of the questions I asked @HCWillieSimmons today was about a personal feeling of nostalgia when preparing for Bethune-Cookman now compared to his time at Florida A&M. 🐍

He gave a great response. Check it out below! ⤵️#FIU | #Panthers | #PawsUp pic.twitter.com/1OtmFWvOaS

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) August 26, 2025

Last season, Cam’Ron Ransom was Bethune’s primary quarterback, recording over 1,800 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. While he’s back, the Wildcats are going to roll with Timmy McClain, a redshirt senior transfer from Arkansas State who has also spent time with UCF and South Florida. Also in the QB room for B-CU is former FIU passer Amari Jones.

Maleek Huggins is a returning wide receiver for B-CU, who led the team with 543 receiving yards. While there’s familiarity there, the same can’t be said for their top running back from last season – Dennis Palmer, who is now with Troy.

The same can be said for their leading tackler on defense – Kevin Washington, who’s now with Western Illinois. Their hard-hitting safety, Antwone Watts, is back, however. He recorded 67 tackles and two interceptions in 2024.

Who Will Win – FIU or Bethune-Cookman?

I think most of the FIU Football faithful would be more than okay with the Panthers demolishing an FCS opponent for a change.

The Panthers have weapons of offense and defense that are considered among the best in the conference, and this could be a great game for them to showcase their talents. Granted, take that with a grain of salt. No matter how good they look, it is against Bethune-Cookman. Next week, no matter how they look in Happy Valley, it’s against Penn State. Their matchup against Florida Atlantic will be the first major test regarding where this team is.

FIU’s games against FCS teams recently have been among the best in their respective conferences, like Monmouth. Bethune-Cookman, on the other hand, was one of the worst teams in the SWAC last season. They’re dealing with change all around the roster, but they have less talent to build upon compared to other schools.

FIU PANTHERS – 38

BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS – 13

(Visited 139 times, 1 visits today)