Good vibes a key for FIU football team’s breakthrough season

When FIU’s football team decided to hand out an award to the player who provides the most energy or “juice” on the sidelines, quarterback Keyone Jenkins was apparently insulted that a vote was even required.

“I’m like, ‘Bro, don’t even waste your time (thinking of anyone else),’” Jenkins said. “I’m always juicing everyone up on the sideline.

“But that’s just me. I’m a fun guy to be around. I don’t let anyone take my smile.”

Jenkins’ positivity is a significant reason why the Panthers (7-5) have clinched their first winning season since 2018 and their first bowl berth since 2019.

When Jenkins went down due to a groin injury during an Oct. 29 loss at Missouri State, the Panthers had slipped to a 3-5 record. A seventh straight losing season seemed imminent.

But the season was saved, and there were some key reasons why:

1: Coach Willie Simmons said he “challenged” his team following that loss.

“It was soul-searching time,” Simmons said. “Our leadership council called a players-only meeting. From that, our competition grew. Our energy grew.”

2: Backup quarterback Joe Pesansky, who had never played an FBS game prior to this season, was a revelation, going 3-0 as a starter in Jenkins’ absence.

3: Then, when Pesansky suffered a toe injury and missed this past Saturday’s game at Sam Houston State, Jenkins went back into the starting lineup and led the Panthers to a 56-16 win.

“I had time to rest and heal,” said Jenkins, who completed 15-of-24 passes for 291 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception. “The more I rested, the better I felt, and I could be more mobile and extend plays with my legs.”

4: Coaching has made a difference this season, according to Jenkins.

“Willie Simmons,” Jenkins said. “That’s all I’ve got to say.”

Jenkins added that FIU’s first goal this season was to win Conference USA.

“But when that didn’t go as planned,” Jenkins explained, “our second goal was to make a bowl, and we’ve done a great job accomplishing that.

“I just want to win. I don’t care if it was me or Joe (at quarterback).”

Simmons, meanwhile, said he is “elated” with how his team responded after that Missouri State loss with a 4-0 November record.

“Our future is bright,” Simmons said. “I hate to see our season coming to an end with this group of guys.”

THIS AND THAT

• FIU finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in Conference USA with a 5-3 record. FIU went 2-1 against the league’s top-three teams, beating Jacksonville State and Western Kentucky but losing at home to Kennesaw State, 45-26. Had FIU beaten Kennesaw, the Panthers would’ve played Jacksonville State for the league title.

• FIU running back Kejon Owens rushed 15 times for 124 yards against Sam Houston. For the season, he has rushed for a program record 1,298 yards, which ranked third in the league.

• Panthers wide receiver Alex Perry had more than 100 yards in the first quarter. He finished with seven catches for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns.

• Safety Jessiah McGrew leads FIU with four interceptions. Cornerback Mister Clark has three picks, and safety Shamir Sterlin has two. Prior to this season, McGrew had played zero college games, Clark had played six; and Sterlin had just three.

• FIU tight end Dallas Payne caught four passes for a career-high 100 yards and one touchdown.

• Panthers linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr. finished tied for fourth in C-USA in tackles (99).