Five takeaways regarding FIU football, including potential bowl destinations

It’s been a season of firsts for FIU.

Ever since Willie Simmons was hired in December – as the first Black non-interim coach in FIU football history – the Panthers have set a unique course.

It started with the season opener as FIU defeated Bethune-Cookman, something the Panthers had never done before (0-for-3).

Along the way, FIU beat its biggest rival, Florida Atlantic, for the first time since 2017. The Panthers also won at Middle Tennessee State for the first time since 2011 and at Western Kentucky for the first time since 2018.

Everything culminated with FIU’s dramatic 27-21 win over Conference USA leader Jacksonville State this past Saturday, making the Panthers bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019.

And, oh yea, it was FIU’s win over Jacksonville State just like earlier in the year the Panthers beat Liberty for the first time (a combined 0-for-6 against them prior to 2025).

“We’re very excited about reaching a bowl game in (Simmons’) first season,” FIU athletic director Scott Carr said. “I’m very proud of Willie, our entire football staff and all our student-athletes who have worked so hard to achieve this goal.

“We’ve been building a foundation, and a bowl game is a great first step. But this is not the end goal. It’s just the beginning.”

A couple more FIU firsts:

• On Oct. 15, running back Kejon Owens became FIU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Kedrick Rhodes in 2011. This past Saturday, Owens smashed Rhodes’ program record. Owens now has 1,174 yards with two contests remaining, including the bowl game.

• And, with a win over host Sam Houston State (2-9, 1-6) on Saturday, FIU (6-5, 4-3) would clinch its first winning season since 2018.

Here are your five takeaways regarding FIU sports:

1. BOWL BOUND

Among the bowl games FIU could be invited to:

Salute to Veterans Bowl (9 p.m., Dec. 16, Montgomery, Alabama); The Cure (5 p.m., Dec. 17, Orlando); 68 Ventures (8:30 p.m., Dec. 17, Mobile, Alabama); Myrtle Beach (11 a.m., Dec. 19, Myrtle Beach); Boca Raton (2 p.m., Dec. 23, Boca); New Orleans (5:30 p.m., Dec. 23, New Orleans); and Radiance Technologies Independence (2 p.m., Dec. 30, Shreveport).

2. PESANSKY POWER

If Conference USA had an award for “Backup of the Year”, FIU quarterback Joe Pesansky would be a great candidate.

FIU is 3-0 with Pesansky starting in place of Keyone Jenkins, who has a groin injury.

Jenkins got hurt on Oct. 29, and, at the time, Simmons said his starter could’ve gone back in if needed except that the Panthers were trailing, and Pesansky was thought to be the better option to push the ball downfield. That’s especially true if Jenkins were limited as a runner, which is his “super power”, according to Simmons.

By now, one would think Jenkins would be ready, but why put him back in since this team has won three straight with Pesansky at the controls?

By the way, Pesansky comes from a super athletic family. His parents, Joseph and Jennifer, both played Division III college basketball. As for their children other than Joe: Abby was a college rower at Alabama; Peter is a freshman football player at North Carolina, where coach Bill Belichick has switched him from defensive lineman to center; and Owen is a three-sport athlete at Tampa Jesuit (football, basketball, baseball).

3. TAYLOR EMERGES

FIU’s Josiah Taylor stepped up on Saturday, especially when fellow starting linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr. suffered what is considered to be a mild shoulder injury. Taylor finished with nine tackles, including three for losses and one sack. He also forced a fumble.

“When Chaney went down, I saw defeat in a lot of our guys eyes,” Taylor said. “(Chaney) is the rock of our defense. (Chaney’s) absence encouraged me to lead the defense.”

For the season, Chaney leads FIU with 96 tackles. Taylor ranks second with 64.

4. INTENSE COACH

Panthers defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze wants his players to have an intimidating mindset.

“I want our guys to look at their opponent. Don’t break eye contact, and let him know he has to block you all game,” Udeze said.

“My job is to take our players to where they can’t take themselves. A good coach will have his room playing at a higher level than anyone anticipated.”

Udeze said he will use harsh language at times to communicate.

He tells his players: “That trash can over there is where you can put your feelings. I don’t care about your feelings. It’s about what is being said to you and not how it’s being said.”

5. ONE LARGE INSECT

Termites weigh about one milligram. That’s noteworthy here because FIU defense lineman Germaine Carter is nicknamed “Termite.”

Carter, who is from Miami Norland High, is listed at 5-11 and 275 pounds. In other words, you would need 125 million termites to equal one Germaine Carter.

During a recent press conference, a reporter (not this one) made the mistake of calling Germaine Carter … Germaine Carter, and this did not please Udeze.

“You said ‘Germaine’ … I almost threw my shoe at you,” Udeze said. “The man’s name is Termite. We’re going to get it legally changed.”

Udeze apparently likes the “Termite” moniker because Carter is small for his position.

“I love ‘Termite’,” Udeze said. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he doesn’t have to be. He’s smart, and I think he’s the second-most athletic d-lineman we have.”