FIU Knocks Off Jax State, Will Go Bowling For First Time Since '19

MIAMI, FL – Yesterday was a ~~good~~ great day for Panther Nation, as FIU Football took care of business and STUNNED the Jax State Gamecocks by a score of 27-21 on Senior Day at Pitbull Stadium. With the win, the Panthers are going to their first bowl game since 2019 in only the first season of the Willie Simmons era.

The thing is, this was a sloppy game from start to finish for both teams. There are several areas for FIU to focus on specifically as they prepare for their next game. But a sloppy win over the #1 team in Conference USA is better than no win at all. And just like that, another losing streak is snapped – a three-game skid to Jax State dating back to 2020.

“This is something I know our administration wanted,” said Head Coach Willie Simmons postgame. “That was probably the first thing that I heard when I took the job here, was ‘we got to get to a bowl game.’ That’s what the Panther Nation wanted: a chance to get to a bowl game. And we’ve accomplished that goal.

Get Your Bowling Shoes Ready

Above all else, FIU’s ability to adjust in the second half might be its greatest trait this season. After only scoring one touchdown in the first half, they churned out 20 points in the latter half. Likewise, they gave up a single touchdown in the second half as opposed to a pair of scores early on.

64 YARDS TO THE HOUSE @alexperry_4 https://t.co/oPd3IyWMfH pic.twitter.com/WJ5QS7QlzA

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) November 22, 2025

Joe Pesansky did not start this game off great. He threw two interceptions in the first half, with the first being tipped at the line, and the latter from a herculean effort by a Gamecock DB. But he settled down in the second half and wound up with 196 yards and two passing touchdowns, with an additional 40 yards on the ground.

Speaking of ground, Kejon Owens dominated that today. With 135 yards and a score, he now holds the single-season rushing yards record, currently with 1,174.

On the other end, Cam Cook and Caden Creel got their rushing yards, with 238 combined. However, they both fumbled the ball. The Gamecocks left a lot of points off the scoreboard, in addition to a missed field goal early.

Second fumble recovery of the day 😤@Dante11Anderson 🤝 @josiahkeepit1 https://t.co/SATI2uH9CG pic.twitter.com/AbT6Z9m82H

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) November 22, 2025

Penalties plagued both teams, but especially hurt the Panthers, with nine total. There were quite a few presnap penalties, with some delay of game calls after the officials gave Jax State’s defense plenty of time to substitute players.

In the end, FIU made the bigger plays when they had to. One big aspect of that was stopping the Gamecocks THREE times on fourth down. It wasn’t pretty on the field, but the graphic on the big screen that said “BOWL BOUND” sure was.

“We’re not done, but it sets a great foundation for the future, because bowl games now should become the norm, and now it’s about championships and building a championship capital program that this time next year, we need to be in the hunt for a conference championship.”

The Panthers aren’t going bowling yet. They have one more regular-season game up ahead. It’ll be on the road against the 2-9 Sam Houston State Bearkats on Saturday, November 29th at 1pm.

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