Five takeaways from FIU’s defeat against UTSA in the First Responder Bowl

FIU’s football team was looking for the first five-game win streak in program history.

Didn’t happen.

The Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners defeated the FIU Panthers, 57-20, on Friday night in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. UTSA scored 38 straight points, and FIU went 1-for-10 on fourth down.

It was the first bowl game since 2019 for FIU (7-6).

UTSA, which beat College Football Playoff team Tulane earlier this season, also finished its season at 7-6.

Here are your five takeaways:

1. OVERWHELMED

The Panthers led 14-0 in the first quarter before UTSA closed the first half by scoring on five straight possessions, taking a 31-14 advantage into the break.

The Roadrunners lived up to their name as they were too fast for FIU on several plays, including Will Henderson III’s 40-yard touchdown on a jet sweep/pass. Henderson finished the night with 99 scrimmage yards and three TDs.

Another example of UTSA’speed was evidenced on a sack by linebacker Shad Banks Jr.

Beyond the speed, UTSA quarterback Owen McCown completed 18-of-28 passes for 295 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

At halftime, he had 16-of-21 on completions for 249 yards, two TDs and no picks.

2. FAST START

The Panthers came out with both of its quarterbacks – Joe Pesansky and Keyone Jenkins – on the field simultaneously. That first play was a direct snap to running back Kejon Owens, who rushed for 18 yards.

After that, Pesansky settled in as the true starting quarterback, and he led FIU to a game-opening, 54-yard touchdown drive. Pesansky capped that drive with a 19-yard TD pass to Kyle McNeal, even though it looked like his elbow put him down a couple feet short of the end zone.

3. FIU’S BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT

Maguire Anderson, featured by the Miami Herald earlier this week, gave the Panthers a 14-0 lead with his 97-yard punt-return touchdown.

It was the longest punt-return in the history of bowl games. It also tied T.Y. Hilton for the longest punt return in FIU history.

Normally, punt returners don’t field a punt at their own 3-yard line, hoping for a touchback. But Anderson caught the punt and ran through/past six would-be tacklers on the way to the end zone.

4. ROUGH NIGHT

Pesansky completed 11-of-31 passes for 102 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also threw a pick – which does not count in the statistics – on an attempted two-point conversion. UTSA ran that pick all the way back, earning two points for the Roadrunners.

In the first half, Pesansky completed just 4-of-18 for 43 yards.

Pesansky finished his lone FIU season with a 3-1 record as the Panthers starting QB.

Due to injuries/opt-outs, FIU was without is entire starting secondary except for safety Shamir Sterlin. FIU was also without its starting right side of its offensive line – guard Antonio Tripp Jr. and Daniel Michel.

UTSA was without five starters on defense -- two starting cornerbacks, one linebacker and two tackles – but FIU could not take advantage.

5. MEMORIES MADE

Despite FIU’s loss, the team had some great bonding moments in the lead-up to the game. For example, FIU (and also USTA) attended Tuesday’s Dallas Mavericks-Denver Nuggets game.