5 takeaways on FIU: QB injuries, bowl-game opt-outs and more

The countdown toward FIU’s first bowl game in six years continues.

With the First Responder Bowl set for Dec. 26 in Dallas between FIU (7-5) and the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (6-6), here are your five takeaways:

1. QB QUESTION

FIU coach Willie Simmons said that if the game were held today, the Panthers would start third-string quarterback Clayton Dees.

But Simmons and FIU offensive coordinator Nick Coleman said they expect Keyone Jenkins (groin injury) and Joe Pesansky (foot) to recover in time to play QB for the Panthers against UTSA.

“Joe came out to practice today in bright Biscayne-blue cleats – custom made for his injury,” Coleman said on Tuesday. “I said, ‘Joe, you ain’t never had ‘drip’ like that the whole time you’ve been here.’ He came out looking good.”

Coleman added that Jenkins is on a “pitch count.” Translation: FIU is holding Jenkins back a bit to make sure he’s healthy for game day.

“Both those guys are trending in the right direction,” Coleman said. “But neither one has yet done full-speed football stuff.”

Pesansky is 3-0 as a starter this season. Jenkins is 4-5.

Added Simmons: “We might put a wrinkle in and start them both.”

2. OPTING OUT

Of FIU’s five starters in the secondary, three have hit the transfer portal and will miss the bowl game: safety Jessiah McGrew and cornerbacks Mister Clark and Victor Evans III.

In addition, right tackle Daniel Michel, who is injured, also hit the transfer portal.

McGrew, who led FIU with four interceptions, is a huge loss as he made second-team All-Conference USA as a true freshman,

Clark, who led FIU with 16 pass-breakups, including three interceptions, made first-team All-C-USA. And Evans was sixth on FIU with 42 tackles.

3. THE REPLACEMENTS

Miguel Cedeno, who got a lot of playing time this season, will replace Michel. Backup Zaire Flournoy could get added snaps.

At cornerback, Ashton Levells, a former starter, will replace Evans. Jack Thompson, who hasn’t played much, will replace Clark.

Antonio Patterson, Demetrius Hill and Websley Etienne will battle to replace McGrew.

“You can look at it as a negative – we lost three starters in the secondary,” Simmons said. “Or you can look at it as ‘next man up’ mentality. These guys have prepared all season, and we’re looking forward to seeing them compete at a high level.”

4. MAJOR CHALLENGE

The Roadrunners, who beat College Football Playoff team Tulane earlier this season, are favored by 8½ points against FIU.

UTSA quarterback Owen McCown is dangerous under any circumstances. But against an FIU secondary missing those three starters, McCown might be lethal.

For the season, McCown has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,700 yards, 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

Most impressively, McCown completed 31-of-33 passes for 370 yards, four TDs and no picks in that win over Tulane.

How FIU’s rebuilt secondary fares against McCown will likely go a long way toward determining the winner of this game.

5. NOAH TO NOAH

FIU fifth-year senior Noah Grant has had a strong season, making 14-of-18 field goals and 25-of-25 on extra points.

It’s expected that Hollywood Chaminade recruit Noah Sidan will replace Grant next season.

Sidan was incredible on kickoffs this past season. Of his 90 kickoffs, 87 of them were touchbacks, including a long of 79 yards. The three non-touchbacks, according to a source, were as a result of personal-foul penalties that forced Chaminade to kick from 15 yards further out.

Sidan also went 71-for-71 on extra points and 2-of-6 on field goals. Of his four misses, three were blocked, including one in a 17-14 state final loss to Cardinal Newman.

“(Sidan) is one of the most powerful kickers in the country,” FIU special-teams coordinator Kenneth Gilstrap said. “He’s won a lot of kicking competitions. (But) he’s going to have huge shoes to fill replacing the other Noah.”