Five takeaways from FIU football’s upset road win over Western Kentucky
Quarterback Keyone Jenkins overcame two injuries – one in each half -- as the FIU Panthers upset the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers 25-6 on Tuesday night in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Panthers (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA) entered the game as a 7½-point underdog.
WKU (5-2, 3-1) had been atop the C-USA standings. The Hilltoppers had also won five straight games against FIU. And the last time FIU visited WKU, the Hilltoppers beat the Panthers, 73-0, in 2022. FIU beat Western Kentucky for the first time since 2018.
FIU also snapped a 10-game road losing streak. It was FIU’s first win away from Miami since a 33-27 double-overtime victory over Sam Houston on Oct. 18, 2023.
Here are your five takeaways:
1. GUTSY PERFORMANCE
Jenkins took a hard hit with 4:27 left in the second quarter, and he missed the rest of the first half with bruised ribs.
Jenkins returned to start the second half, and then he missed one play in the fourth quarter when he limped off with what appeared to be an injury to his left ankle.
Prior to the game, Jenkins’ biggest issue was likely a bruised ego. After all, FIU had lost two straight games, and Jenkins had suffered four turnovers during that span.
However, Jenkins had a bounce-back game on Tuesday, completing 17-of-25 passes for 184 yards and one TD. Better yet for FIU, Jenkins had zero turnovers.
“We got the passing game going for the first time (this year),” Jenkins said. “Finally.”
As for his injuries, Jenkins said: “I got banged up, messed up my ribs, but I think I’ll be (OK).”
2. OWENS STARS
Panthers running back Kejon Owens had 22 carries for a career-high 195 yards, an 8.9 average and one touchdown.
It was just Owens’ third career 100-yard game, but two of them have come this season. He also rushed for 173 yards, a 9.1 average and two TDs in a win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 14.
With six regular-season games remaining, Owens already has a career-high 658 rushing yards and a career-high six TDs in 2025.
This was the 35th game of a five-year college career for Owens, a Miami Central graduate. Previously, his best season came in 2023 with 453 yards.
“Our identity is that we run the football,” FIU coach Willie Simmons said. “Our superpower is our ability to hand the ball to 5 (Owens).”
3. SECONDARY REUNITES
Cornerback Brian Blades II and safety Shamir Sterlin returned from injuries, and FIU’s DBs had an exceptional game.
It didn’t start well for FIU as Blades missed a tackle on WKU’s first play from scrimmage, resulting in a 46-yard gain.
However, FIU’s secondary recovered and intercepted three passes – two by true-freshman safety Jessiah McGrew and one by cornerback Mister Clark. In addition, Clark had a deflection that led to McGrew’s first interception.
“When our secondary is healthy,” Simmons said, “we are formidable.”
Indeed, the Panthers held WKU quarterback Maverick McIvor to 159 passing yards and zero TDs. He had entered the game leading C-USA in passing yards per game (264) and passing TDs (12).
4. KICKING DEPTH
Panthers kicker Robert Czeremcha pulled a groin muscle in warmups. Fortunately for the Panthers, backup kicker Noah Grant stepped in and went 4-for-4 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points. The field goals were from 37; 28; 37; and a career-long 51.
This is Grant’s fifth college season and his fourth school, following stints with Memphis, Arkansas State and UAB. But despite all that time on college rosters, Grant entered Tuesday with just one career field goal on two attempts.
“Our special teams tonight were dominant,” Simmons said, “and that made me the happiest.”
5. OTHER STANDOUTS
Wide receiver Alex Perry had three catches for a game-high 86 yards, although he was shut out in the second half.
FIU’s offensive line was penalized for holding three times in the first half. However, there were no holding calls in the second half, and that o-line deserves credit for FIU’s huge rushing day (249 yards).