Paws Up Preview – FIU Football vs Central Michigan

Date: Saturday, September 7th

Time: 6:00 PM EST

Opponent: Central Michigan Chippewas (1-0)

Location: Miami, FL (South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium)

TV Channel: ESPN+

Betting Line: Central Michigan -5.5

MIAMI, FL – Following a disappointing turnout in Bloomington, FIU Football will look to bounce back in their home opener as they host the Central Michigan Chippewas this Saturday.

There’s a lot of good and bad to take away from their 31-7 loss against the Indiana Hoosiers, which can help determine how they’ll look to rebound against an opponent from the MAC who has yet to take on an FBS opponent.

Misery In The Midwest

FIU’s overall performance against Indiana last week was sugar. Granted, they were taking on a power conference opponent. With a bunch of transfers from the Group of Five level and a new head coach guiding them, FIU had a shot of keeping it close and didn’t.

Quarterback Keyone Jenkins looked okay, and the offensive line is a big reason. They struggled to give him time in the pocket, as he was sacked four times.

We still lack a concrete answer on who could be the top target. Dean Patterson and Desna Washington got relatively equal chances, but tight end Rocky Beers caught the first and only touchdown of the game.

Beers ended the game with four receptions for 18 yards and the touchdown which came in the second quarter. Unfortunately, on the touchdown reception, Beers had to be taken out of the game due to a hamstring injury.

Running-wise, it was Shomari Lawrence and Kejon Owens who led the way, with Lexington Joseph being limited in snaps. FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre announced during Tuesday’s press conference that Joseph bruised his knee (not the knee that he hurt last year). He is expected to play on Saturday.

Regardless, the offense was inconsistent and predictable. With too many screen passes and check-downs that were read by Indiana’s secondary, FIU struggled to get first downs as the game progressed.

The Panthers defense was fine. They gave up 21 points in the first half. Throughout most of the second half, they only surrendered a field goal until the final touchdown with minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

Their secondary specifically played solid. Jojo Evans and CJ Christian were the top two leading tacklers on Saturday.

JUCO transfer Dwight Nunoo impressed in his first taste of Division One FBS football, posting seven total tackles and one sack.

The big news leading into this game for FIU is that senior linebacker Reggie Peterson is stepping away from football. Out of the blue, the Panthers have lost one their best players on the team, let alone the defense.

Overall, the game went as many people predicted, with neither offense looking amazing, but Indiana still pulled away at the start which left FIU having tp claw their way back into the game – which they never did.

The Mac And Their Attack

Hailing from Mount Pleasant, the Central Michigan Chippewas are currently 1-0 on the season after a resounding 66-10 thrashing of the Central Connecticut Blue Devils. (FCS)

CMU didn’t have a great 2023 campaign, going 5-7 on the year, with three wins coming against fellow MAC teams – Eastern Michigan, Akron, and Northern Illinois.

This is the second-ever meeting between the Panthers and Chippewas, with the first contest in 2021 going in Central Michigan’s favor after the Panthers blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter.

CMU is led by Iowa transfer Joe Labas, who didn’t see enough playing time with the Hawkeyes. He looked great against CCU, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns.

Their prior quarterback, Jase Bauer, has since transferred to Sam Houston State. While he didn’t win the starting job, there might be a chance we see him on Vice Night down the road.

The Chippewas biggest weapons last season, running back Myles Bailey (Who put up 68 yards and two touchdowns against CCU) and wide receiver Chris Parker, (45 yards against CCU) return for this season.

However, it’s Solomon Davis who looks to be their premiere wideout. The senior transfer from Valparaiso cashed in on four catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns – an explosive threat that FIU has to watch out for.

The Chippewas’ defense looked dominant against Central Connecticut, though it’s understandable to take this with a grain of salt as they’re a lower-end FCS school.

Between the seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and pick-six for Aakeen Snell, there wasn’t much they didn’t do right.

Linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski looked excellent with 10 total tackles. Keep an eye on him alongside defensive back Elijah Rikard – some of the biggest threats in the secondary.

Central Michigan balled out on special teams. Stephan Bracey Jr. returned a kick-off for a touchdown and Donte Kent returned a punt for a touchdown as well.

Who’s Winning – FIU or Central Michigan?

Most signs would point to the Chippewas winning this one. They’re coming off an impressive win against an FCS team, and FIU lost both a game to a Power Four team as well as one of their best players days later.

However, there’s something about this game that makes me want to give the edge to the Panthers. Maybe it’s the fact that they played possibly the hardest opponent of the season.

I expect this game to be a shootout, similar to what we saw last season against North Texas. Ultimately, I believe that FIU can make enough plays in the second half to get by CMU. ¡Vamonos!

FIU – 28

CMU – 17