Paws Up Preview - Shula Bowl XXIII

DATE – Saturday, September 13th

TIME – 6:00 PM EST

OPPONENT – Florida Atlantic Owls (American)

VENUE – Pitbull Stadium (Miami, FL)

HOW TO WATCH – ESPN+

ODDS – FIU -2.5

It feels like it took forever to get to this week. After a solid win over an FCS school and a tough loss against the #2 team in the country, FIU Football is set to face its first real test of the season – the Florida Atlantic Owls in the 23rd edition of the Shula Bowl.

The Owls enter the Shula Bowl with the same resume – a win over the SWAC and a loss to the Big Ten. This feels like one of the most even matchups in the series since, well, last season. Combine that with a potentially raucous environment at Pitbull Stadium, and you have a recipe for an instant classic.

Finding Diamonds In The Rough

If you just saw the 34-0 final score, it might seem like there are no positives from FIU’s loss to Penn State.

However, that’s not entirely true; defensively, that was more impressive than what the Panthers achieved against Bethune-Cookman. To keep the #2 team in the nation to 10 points in the first half is a feat in itself. If you exclude the final two scores (which occurred immediately after turnovers), then the defense only allowed 20 points.

Clutch tackle by @Chaney28Jr to stop Penn State on 4th down near the redzone 🔥 https://t.co/QNUU9orXbQ pic.twitter.com/wLroh4JxS2

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) September 6, 2025

Offensively, it was a blood bath for the Panthers. Keyone Jenkins didn’t look great, but the running game made up for that. FIU had some opportunities to get on the scoreboard, but either gambled on fourth down and failed or Jenkins threw an interception. Regardless, it’s a shutout officially.

You’re not wrong to consider this game a moral victory for the Panthers. To keep the game this close against Penn State is something NO ONE saw coming. Even with Drew Allar looking off and the weather being mixed, FIU showed toughness through it all.

The Rats From Raton Head South

Here comes the Florida Atlantic Owls. (Not FAU, they don’t like that) They lost to Maryland thanks in part to SIX interceptions, but bounced back with a win over Florida A&M in which their offense dropped 56 points.

Under new head coach Zach Kittley, this is an air-raid offense similar to what he provided when he was the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech. They got the quarterback to do it with Caden Veltkamp, a pickup from Western Kentucky. So far, he’s thrown six passing touchdowns and four interceptions.

First dub of the season ✅ roll the highlights 🎥#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/HISnZmucu7

— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 9, 2025

The weapons around him are solid as well. Germari Sands looks to be their standout rusher. The sophomore back currently has 127 yards, which is a lot for a pass-first offense like FAU. The offense only has one total rushing touchdown compared to FIU’s six in their game against Bethune-Cookman.

Easton Messer and Asaad Waseem look like the one-two punch of their receiving core. Messer has racked up 149 yards, while Waseem has corralled three touchdowns.

Defensively, Florida Atlantic looks solid so far. Linebacker Leon Hart Jr and safety Chris Keys Jr have been the early leaders, but they lack a big-name playmaker just yet. With only two sacks, one forced fumble, and no interceptions, they’re in a similar situation to FIU. They have yet to play an opponent of their specific caliber – until now.

Who Wins Shula Bowl XXIII?

There will be no suspense here. FIU will finally take down Florida Atlantic after almost a decade of coming up short.

I might give the slight edge to FAU’s offense if I had to compare both teams’ units. If FIU gets an early lead and then relies on the running game, this might fly by in favor of the Panthers.

Defensively, however, I don’t think it’s close. FIU has a more balanced unit, with game-wreckers up front and a deadly secondary that’s no strangers to forcing interceptions. Are we going to see a repeat of the Central Michigan game last season? Probably not, but I do think the Panthers will end up controlling both sides of the ball JUST enough.

That trophy case has been collecting dust. It’s time to put something in it.

FIU – 28

FAU – 14

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