Here’s what to watch for in FIU football’s home finale vs. Jacksonville State

This is just some of what FIU has to stop on Saturday when it plays host to Jacksonville State at 3:30 p.m.

• Cam Cook ranks second in the nation and first in Conference USA in rushing yards (1,306). Cook, who also leads C-USA in touchdowns (13), is a former Texas Christian four-star recruit.

• Caden Creel, C-USA’s leader in rushing yards by a quarterback (730), is a former first-team All-State QB in Alabama.

“This is going to be 60 minutes of inside drill,” FIU coach Willie Simmons said in reference to what is expected to be a physical, run-oriented game. “You better put both your mouthpieces in.”

• In addition to the run, Jacksonville State has wide receiver Deondre Johnson, C-USA’s leader in yards per catch (32.8). Johnson is a 6-foot-8, 220-pound freak athlete who started his career at Rutgers.

Add it all up, and it’s easy to see why Jacksonville State (7-3, 6-0) leads the C-USA standings.

Meanwhile, FIU (5-5, 3-3) will be playing its home finale, and the Panthers need to beat either Jacksonville State on Saturday or next week’s opponent, Sam Houston, to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2019.

Jacksonville State is a 1½-point road favorite on Saturday.

Here are five things to watch:

1. SENIOR DAY

FIU will honor its seniors, a group that includes running back Kejon Owens, defensive lineman Keegan Davis and cornerback Brian Blades II.

“Those three are the heart and soul of this team,” Simmons said. “I wish I could have all our seniors back for another year.”

Owens last week became just the second 1,000-yard rusher in FIU history. He also ranks seventh in the nation with 1,039 rushing yards. And, in 39 career games for FIU, he has 1,967 rushing yards.

Davis leads FIU with 5½ sacks, and he has 10 sacks in his five-year, 47-game FIU career.

Blades has played 39 games in his five-year FIU career, totaling 17 passes defended, three tackles for losses, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Other FIU seniors on offense include quarterback Joe Pesansky, who is 2-0 as a starter and is expected to get the nod again on Saturday; center Julius Pierce; tackle Jaleel Davis; wide receivers Maguire Anderson and Ross Fournet; and tight end Dallas Payne.

Seniors on defense/special teams include linemen Quaylen Hill and Olasunkonmi Agunloye; linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr.; kicker Noah Grant; and punter Trey Wilhoit.

2. SCOUTING JAX STATE

FIU is 0-3 against Jacksonville State, including a 34-31 loss last year. The last time FIU hosted the Gamecocks was a 41-16 loss in 2023.

This year, Jacksonville State has already defeated two teams that beat FIU: Delaware and Kennesaw State.

In addition, the Gamecocks will enter Saturday night on a five-game overall win streak. And the Gamecocks, since becoming an FBS program in 2023, are 25-12 overall and 19-3 in C-USA with one league championship and quite possibly a second one on the way this year.

Cook, the Gamecocks’ stellar running back, has rushed for at least 100 yards and one touchdown in five straight games. In fact, in eight of his 10 games since joining the team, he has eclipsed 100 yards.

3. NEW COACH

Jacksonville State, which won an NCAA Division II national title in 1992, has a new coach this year in Charles Kelly, 58.

After 35 years as an assistant coach – including winning a national title with Florida State in 2013 and doing the same with Alabama in 2020 – Kelly is in his first year as a head coach at any level.

So far, he’s made all the right moves as the Gamecocks are 3-0 in games decided by a field goal or less.

Kicker Garrison Rippa has been a big weapon for Kelly. In October, Rippa beat Sam Houston 29-27 with a 52-yard field goal as time expired. Then, on Nov. 9, he kicked a last-minute, 45-yarder to defeat Texas El-Paso, 30-27.

4. WINDING DOWN

Pesansky was asked recently if he wished he had one more year remaining of college eligibility.

“I do,” he said. “Maybe I’ll think of a lawsuit.”

That was an apparent joke. But, turning serious, Pesansky said: “I love this game. It’s been my life the past eight or nine years. For me, (these last two regular-season) games are really it.

“Hopefully we can get one more game (a bowl).”

5. ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

Pesansky said he used to listen to “hype music” before games.

Not anymore.

“I don’t want to get too high or too low,” Pesansky said. “I’ve worked in some breathing techniques.

“I’m still an emotional guy. But I’ve learned to control my emotions a bit. I understand now that I’m prepared. And when you know you’re prepared, and you know this offense is prepared, then you can attack each play individually.”