FIU Outshines Liberty In Overtime For Critical Homecoming Win

Just like that, we have concrete evidence that the FIU Football program is heading in the right direction. After surviving an overtime thriller against Liberty by a score of 34-27, the Sunblazers have won five games this season – the first time since 2019.

Also, if there were any doubts about the quarterback position for FIU, they were also smashed tonight. Joe Pesansky has looked as cool, calm, and collected as any quarterback for the Blue and Gold has ever looked, and this was his second-ever start.

With 206 passing yards, three total touchdowns, and no interceptions, he’s proven that he should lead the way for the remainder of the season for FIU. He’s part of a group of veteran players for the Sunblazers that are looking to make program history – one step closer to their first bowl game since 2019.

“So proud of them,” said head coach Willie Simmons postgame. “Huge win for this program that gets us a step closer to our goal this year. We’ll celebrate it tonight, like we always do, and then come back tomorrow ready to go back to work, because we got a little tough task coming up next weekend with the team that’s number one in the conference right now.”

Liberty, despite having a down season, is no slouch. They have one of the better defenses in CUSA, but the Sunblazers found a way to score when they had to. The Flames offense torched FIU at times, leading to an eventful first half of football. At halftime, it felt like whoever had the ball last was probably going to win this game.

As Stressful As It Gets

That…kind of happened? The Sunblazers looked to close the game out with less than a minute to go, but were staring down a fourth and one. They elected to go for it and were unsuccessful. Liberty turned around and got to field goal range, and with only a few seconds to go, banked in a game-tying field goal, forcing overtime.

Simmons noted that he trusted his team with the ball. But still, perhaps the right decision would have been to just punt it. They could have pinned deep in their side of the field with about 15 seconds to go, with no timeouts. We can laugh about it now, but it led to the opportunity for one of the worst collapses in FIU Football HISTORY.

The GAME SEALING PICK from @0nly1mister pic.twitter.com/ho8T3e8rTq

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) November 16, 2025

In overtime, the Sunblazers didn’t back down. They locked in, scoring on their opening drive. On fourth down for Liberty, Ethan Vasko threw an interception to Mister Clark to secure the W for FIU.

The Kings Of Adjustments

If the first half had the makings for an all-time shootout, the second half was the opposite. That was thanks to the defensive adjustments for FIU, which only allowed two field goals. They gave their offense numerous opportunities, and once they secured a lead, they never relinquished it… Well, almost.

A lot of Sunblazers ate, but Keegan Davis had a standout game with a pair of sacks, pressuring Vasko in overtime – when it mattered the most. Jessiah McGrew had one of his best games with 10 total tackles and an interception.

BIG TIME PLAY

4th INT of the year for @non_stop34 🔥 https://t.co/scIXIZjxHE pic.twitter.com/3e72xGahBK

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) November 16, 2025

The rush defense was a potential weak spot for Liberty’s defense, and FIU took advantage of it. Kejon Owens broke through for 64 yards and a touchdown as he crossed 1,000 rushing yards on the season. He’s the first Panther to do so since Kedrick Rhodes in 2011.

It just feels good to beat Liberty, you know?

Okay, here’s the situation for FIU regarding bowl eligibility. They have a 5-5 record, needing one more win to secure it. They have two opportunities remaining. First – Senior Day against the first-place team in Conference USA – the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. That’ll be on Saturday, November 22nd, at 3:30pm.

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