Self Inflicted Mistakes Cost Panthers In Brutal Loss To Mo State

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On what had the potential to be a get-right game for FIU Football, they instead lost their second consecutive contest… again. The Bears did more than enough to win, but the mistakes that the Panthers committed were the biggest reason for the 28-21 loss to Missouri State.

Out of all the losses so far this season for FIU, this one feels the most disappointing because it was winnable from start to finish. Take away the blowout losses, and the Panthers had a chance to defeat Kennesaw State before the game got away from them. This game, however, was decided by a single touchdown, despite the miscues.

It’s one of those would, coulda, shoulda games that can sink a season. Now, with a 3-5 record, FIU can only afford one more loss if they want a chance to go bowling. There are some favorable matchups here and there, but this loss to Missouri State will only make things more complicated down the road.

A Slow Start At Plaster

The miscues early on for FIU at the start of this game are inexcusable. Understandably, the conditions were not ideal as it was raining in Springfield leading up to the game. But back-to-back fumbles, one from Keyone Jenkins, the other from C’Quan Jnopierre off an ensuing punt, put the Panthers down early.

Thankfully, FIU’s defense had its way against the Bears early on, as their secondary locked down Jacob Clark through the air. Despite being down 7-0, it could have been worse given the early woes for the offense and special teams.

Ultimately, FIU’s offense was stagnant to start until a successful fake punt swung the momentum towards the Panthers. They scored their first touchdown on a pass to Dallas Payne, marking his return from injury.

If you thought the miscues on special teams were over, there was more in store. After a blocked punt, which put the ball in the red zone, the Panthers were held to an ensuing field goal attempt. A 31-yarder… that was missed by Noah Grant.

He's Gone 💨

Shomari Lawrence cuts through the defense for his second score of the night! #OutHitOutHustle | #ProveIt pic.twitter.com/nFkf7XTihR

— Missouri State Football (@MoStateFootball) October 30, 2025

With just over two minutes to go, the Panthers’ defense began to let up. This was thanks in part to Shomari Lawrence, former running back for FIU, who was looking for revenge. Bang bang, he scored on a 41-yard sprint to the end zone.

A Second Half To Throw Away

The Panthers tied the game heading to halftime, but almost everything that happened afterward was an absolute disaster.

Firstly, Keyone Jenkins was ultimately taken out of the game. Lyghtz may have suffered a “lower body injury,” which set him back. Joe Pesansky came in and found late success, with his first passing touchdown in FBS.

“Keyone could’ve finished the game,” said head coach Willie Simmons. “But after taking a shot, a lower body injury type of deal, where one of his superpowers, which are his legs to extend plays, and he wouldn’t have been able to run as much as he could’ve after taking the shot.”

Regardless, here were FIU’s first six drives in the second half:

-Punt. (Missouri State scored on the ensuing drive.)

-Another Punt. (This drive had potential, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Kyle McNeal killed it.)

-A third-straight punt.

-Turnover on Downs. At least it’s not another punt.

-Oh, yet another punt. (This was off a Missouri State fumble, by the way.)

-Another punt??? (Yep, the Bears score another touchdown after this…)

-One more punt for good measure.

Aside from the QB situation, Kejon Owens was limited on explosive plays by the Bears’ rush defense, one of the best in CUSA. They only produced 115 yards on the ground. All in all, the eight penalties, two turnovers, and uninspiring play on offense cost FIU this game. All the while, our former running back dropped 104 yards and two touchdowns for Missouri State.

So, FIU falls to 1-3 in the conference. If you still held the belief that they could compete for a CUSA title, that’s all but gone now. Still, a bowl game is theoretically possible.

They’ll continue this two-game road trip in Murfreesboro on Saturday, November 8th, at 3pm against the 1-7 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

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