Jenkins recovers form as FIU hits recruiting trail during bye week, plus soccer notes

FIU’s football players are resting a bit since the Panthers’ next game isn’t until a trip to Jacksonville State on Nov. 16.

Meanwhile, FIU’s coaches are busy recruiting, and the Panthers’ men’s and women’s soccer teams are gearing up for postseason games this week. Plus, basketball is underway.

Here are five takeaways regarding FIU sports:

1. JENKINS RETURNS TO FORM

Last week’s 34-13 win over New Mexico State was a big one for the Panthers (3-6) as they attempt to get to six wins to become bowl eligible. They would have to win all three remaining games to get there.

But it was also important for quarterback Keyone Jenkins, who completed 18-of-27 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns. He had zero sacks and no turnovers.

Jenkins had been benched the previous week after going 1-for-9 for 16 yards and one interception while playing with a shoulder contusion on his throwing arm.

Jenkins’ return to form against New Mexico State was no surprise to FIU coach Mike MacIntyre.

“He did what we expect him to do every game,” the coach said. “I expect him to make the right reads. I expect him to dice up defenses and be the best QB in our league.

“We have a lot of good QBs in our league, but I expect Keyone to be that guy.”

2. FOOTBALL RECRUITING GOING WELL?

With the initial early signing date set for Dec. 20, FIU’s football recruiting ranks third so far in Conference USA, according to 247Sports. Liberty and Louisiana Tech are ranked in the top two.

FIU has non-binding commitments from 13 players, and 10 of them are three-star recruits. The other three are not ranked.

All 13 recruits are from Florida, including 10 from West Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.

3. HISTORIC YEAR FOR WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Panthers (11-4-2) won the Conference USA regular season for the first time in program history.

This is the most overall wins for FIU’s women’s soccer team since 2012. And, at 6-1-2, this is the program’s most conference wins since joining C-USA.

FIU is hosting Conference USA’s postseason tournament this week. FIU has a bye into Friday’s 7 p.m. semifinal game against either Sam Houston and Middle Tennessee.

The championship game is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. FIU likely needs to win those two games this week to reach the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history and the first time since 2011.

Coach Jonathan Garbar, hired in January of 2021, inherited a 3-9 team. The breakthrough came last year with an 8-6-4 record.

This season, the Panthers have been led by Montreal native Noemi Paquin (team-high 14 goals, three assists); sixth-year senior Camile Sahirul (team-high six assists); and perennial standout Nikole Solis (second with eight goals, second with 19 points).

Solis has 25 goals over the past three years.

Goalie Valery Restrepo, a Colombia native, played all 17 games, posting a 0.78 goals-against average. She was a part of six shutouts.

4. BIG WEEK FOR MEN’S SOCCER

The Panthers (4-5-6, 2-2-3) will play at Florida Atlantic (7-5-3, 3-3-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the American Athletic Conference tournament.

FIU will have to win all three games this week to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. Overall, the Panthers have made the NCAA Division I tournament 13 times since 1991.

5. BASKETBALL’S BACK

The Panthers had mixed basketball results this week.

The women’s team broke the program scoring record on Monday, routing Florida National 132-25. On Tuesday, FIU extended coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley’s contract through the 2027-2028 season.

FIU’s men’s team had a much tougher opener, losing 77-70 on Tuesday versus Rice in Houston. Jayden Brewer and Dashon Gittens each had 18 points to lead FIU. Brewer added nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.