Paws Up Preview – FIU Football @ Florida Atlantic

Date: Saturday, September 14th

Time: 6:00 PM EST

Opponent: FAU Owls (0-2)

Location: Boca Raton, FL (FAU Football Stadium)

TV Channel: ESPN+

Betting Line: FAU -5.5

BOCA RATON, FL – Things felt weird last season when the FIU Panthers and the Florida Atlantic Owls didn’t meet up for a midseason matchup on the gridiron.

Listen Up, Whippersnappers

When both teams squared off for the first time in 2002, it began over 20 years of a rivalry based solely in South Florida. When both programs moved to the Sun Belt in 2005 and Conference USA in 2013, the rivalry never disappeared.

Last season, FAU made the jump to the American Athletic Conference, but FIU stayed in CUSA. Amid a crazy period of conference alignment, there was no Shula Bowl in 2023.

In 2002, FAU’s head coach was Howard Schellenberger, a former assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins in the 1970s, working alongside late head coach Don Shula as they won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and 73.

FIU’s head coach Don Strock was a quarterback for the Dolphins from 1973 to 1987, serving as a backup for Hall of Famers Bob Griese and Dan Marino. As a result of the coincidence, the FIU-FAU rivalry is, and will always be known as the Shula Bowl.

FIU and FAU have agreed to schedule non-conference matchups between each other for the next few seasons until 2027, with an option to renew. For the foreseeable future, the rivalry is back on.

International Hate For CMU

The Panthers enter this matchup on the heels of an impressive beatdown against Central Michigan – a 52-16 thrashing that fell over after the first half.

FIU’s defense played near-perfectly, with six total turnovers including FIVE interceptions thrown by Joe Labas as well as a muffed punt. CMU’s offense was stagnant for most of the game, posting solid drives that would end with a turnover on downs or a pick.

It’s safe to say the inaugural game at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium was a massive success.

Offensively, Keyone Jenkins was sharp and had time to throw in the pocket, as the offensive line stepped it up after a disappointing performance against Indiana.

Most receivers got involved, with one not excelling too much more than the other because everyone was getting near-equal snaps. The same thing goes for the running backs, with Shomari Lawrence, Kejon Owens, and Lexington Joseph finding success in week two.

Overall, it was one of the most complete games from FIU that we’ve seen in a while. The defense forced turnovers and the offense capitalized on every drive they were given.

On Their Way To Paradise

The Owls have not had a great start to the 2024 season after back-to-back losses to Michigan State and Army. This is coming off a 4-8 campaign in 2023, with wins coming against Monmouth, Tulsa, South Florida, and Charlotte.

For being called a “rivalry,” the Shula Bowl has not been that competitive lately. Florida Atlantic has won the last six matchups, with FIU’s last win coming in 2016. Out of the 21 prior games played, the Owls have won 16 of them.

https://x.com/FAUFootball/status/1834380503169814720

The Owls looked fine against Michigan State, losing in a low-scoring affair in which their defense looked fine against a Big 10 opponent.

The same can’t be said for their loss against Army, where they surrendered over 400 rushing yards in a 24-7 blowout.

On offense, there are still questions about if quarterback Cam Fancher can lead this team. A transfer from Marshall, he’s looked okay so far, with 309 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in two games.

He’s also their leading rusher with 77 yards on the ground. As far as actual backs, both CJ Campbell Jr and Zuberi Mobley have put up under 50 rushing yards each, though their running game has been underwhelming for the most part.

Omari Hayes has turned into their top receiver at the moment, with 119 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, their ability to stop the rush has been put to the test. After only allowing 132 yards against Michigan State, the Owls had no answers for Army, who ran the ball 58 times down their throat.

It’s hard to judge their secondary because Army only threw four passes against FAU – however one of them was a 44-yard bomb to the end zone.

So far, linebacker Jackson Ambush has been their leading tackler with six solos and 18 total, but this FAU defense has only registered one sack and two interceptions so far this season.

Who’s Winning – FIU or FAU?

Is it wrong to say this might be the most important game FIU has played in years?

The Panthers need to capitalize on their nonconference slate, and their win against CMU was the start. If they win this, and then win their next game against Monmouth, they’ll start the CUSA slate with a 3-1 record.

And this might be their best opportunity in a while. FIU has all the momentum on both offense and defense, and FAU is reeling from two tough losses and a lot of questions left to face.

It still feels like it’ll be an even game, as it is a rivalry. But FIU feels like they have the edge to get the job done.

FIU – 27

FAU – 17