GAME 9
FIU (4-4, 1-4 CUSA) vs. Jacksonville State (6-2, 4-1 CUSA)

DATE
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

KICKOFF
7 p.m. ET

STADIUM
FIU Stadium (20,000)/Miami, Fla.
 
 

TV	CBS Sports Network
RADIO	WQBA 1140 AM
INTERNET	Listen Live | Watch Live
LIVE STATS	Stats Link
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WEEKLY PRESSER	WATCH

 
WATCH FIU FOOTBALL WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
FIU FOOTBALL MEDIA AVAILABILITY – GAME 9 – JACKSONVILLE STATE
FIU football head coach Mike MacIntyre met with the media on Friday afternoon to preview this Wednesday's showdown vs. Jacksonville State.
 
Joining Coach MacIntyre in the media session was junior linebacker Reggie Peterson, sophomore running back Shomari Lawrence and sophomore wide receiver Eric Rivers.
 

 
THE COACHES
FIU                                                          
Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre (Georgia Tech '89)
Overall Record: 54-77 (11th season)
Record at FIU: 8-12 (2nd season)
 
Jacksonville State
Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez
Overall Record: 178-132-2 (26th season)
Record at JSU: 15-4 (2nd season)
 
QUICK HITS

• The Panthers and Gamecocks will be meeting for the first time since 2020 and for the second time overall when they square off on Wednesday night in Miami.
• Jacksonville State is playing its first season as a member of Conference USA.
• FIU will be playing its fourth consecutive and final Wednesday night game of the season when it hosts Jacksonville State on Wednesday.

 
FIU SEEKS TO OPEN NEW WINNING STREAK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN THE CAGE
The Panthers will host Jacksonville State on Wednesday night in a primetime clash in Miami that will be aired to a national audience on CBS Sports Network beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
 
Wednesday's CBS Sports Network broadcast will be called by Jordan Kent (pxp),Robert Turbin (analyst) and Emory Hunt (sideline) and will mark the second-ever meeting between FIU and Jacksonville State, with the Gamecocks playing both their first season in FBS and as a member of Conference USA. 
 
The FIU - Jax State game can also be heard on Miami's WQBA 1140 AM with AJ Ricketts (pxp), Corey Brooks (analyst) and Billy Gil (guest analyst) behind the mic.
 
The pregame show on WQBA 1140 AM will start 30 minutes prior to kickoff and a postgame show will follow the conclusion of the contest.
 
The Panthers will be looking for their second consecutive victory when they battle the Gamecocks on Wednesday following a 33-27 win in double overtime at Sam Houston on Wednesday night.
 
PANTHERS LOOKING FOR WIN NO. 5 ON WEDNESDAY
FIU will be looking for its second consecutive and fifth win of the 2023 season when it faces Jacksonville State on Wednesday night in Miami.
 
The Panthers have posted four wins over the first eight games of 2023 and one more win would eclipse last year's win total of four and mark the most wins for FIU in a single season since 2019 when it finished 6-7 overall.
 
FIU SECURES SECOND ROAD WIN OF 2023
The Panthers 33-27 double overtime victory at Sam Houston on Oct. 18 marked their second victory of the 2023 season and matched their road win total from last season.
 
FIU is one road victory shy of posting its most road victories since 2018 – when it tabbed four road wins in five games.
 
PERFECT WHEN JENKINS TOSSES TD PASS
FIU freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins is off to a solid start during his rookie campaign under center for the Panthers with six touchdown passes over his initial seven starts.
 
The Panthers are a perfect 4-0 this season when Jenkins tosses at least one touchdown pass entering Wednesday's meeting with Jacksonville State.

JENKINS TIES RECORD FOR RUSHING TDS BY QB
FIU freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins has registered a total of five rushing touchdowns over the last seven games – which ties the mark for the most ever by a FIU freshman quarterback – matching Alex McGough's total from 2017.
 
In addition, Jenkins has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the past five games – the program record for most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown by any player is seven (7) – set by Darriet Perry in 2010 and 2011.
 
PANTHERS POST OVERTIME ROAD WIN AT SAM HOUSTON
Freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins connected with junior wide receiver Kris Jenkins for a 25-yard scoring pass on the opening play in the second round of overtime to lift the Panthers to a 33-27 victory over Sam Houston on Oct. 18 in a Conference USA clash.
 
The Panthers defense held up their end on the following Sam Houston possession – as they pushed the Bearkats backwards with back-to-back sacks and kept them off the scoreboard to seal the victory.
 
The teams traded touchdowns on their opening possessions of overtime – with Sam Houston scoring on a 25-yard run by Noah Smith on its first play in the extra session before the Panthers answered with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Jenkins to push it to a second round of overtime.
 
Trailing 20-17 with under 90 seconds remaining, Jenkins picked up a key first down with a 23-yard run on a fourth and 18 to keep FIU's final drive in regulation alive and set up junior placekicker Chase Gabriel for a clutch 36-yard field goal that tied the game at 20-20 and sent the contest into overtime.
 
With the game tied at 17-17, FIU had possession deep in its own territory following a pooch punt by Sam Houston, that backed the Panthers up to their own three-yard line.  Jenkins had the ball slip out of his hands on a pass attempt which was then recovered by Sam Houston's Jevon Leon at the FIU 17.
 
The Bearkats capitalized with a 32-yard field goal by Colby Sessums to claim a three-point edge with 1:24 on the clock to set up the FIU rally.
 
Sam Houston quarterback Keegan Showmaker finished 31-of-47 passing for 306 yards and two touchdowns.  Smith caught nine passes for 91 yards in the defeat.
 
Jenkins completed 26-of-38 through the air for 190 yards and a touchdown.  Mitchell snagged eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.  Sophomore running back Kejon Owens paced the Panthers on the ground with 60 yards and a score.  Three different Panthers, including Owens, Jenkins and Shomari Lawrence.
 
Defensively, the Panthers were paced by junior linebacker Reggie Peterson, who posted a team-high 10 tackles and snagged his second career interception.
 
 
REGGIE PETERSON SNAGS SECOND CAREER INT IN SAM HOUSTON WIN
Junior linebacker Reggie Peterson recorded his first interception of the season and his second in his career, which he returned 61 yards in the Panthers' 31-27 double overtime victory on Oct. 18.
 
MORE FROM SAM HOUSTON WIN

• Sophomore defensive back Brian Blades blocked a Sam Houston field goal attempt in the second quarter – FIU's first since Jeramy Passmore blocked one against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 26, 2022.
• Senior linebacker Elijah Anderson-Taylor forced a fumble in the second quarter.
• Sam Houston scored 10 points in the final 1:57 of the first half after trailing 10-0.
• Game marked FIU's first game in overtime this season and its first since defeating Louisiana Tech in double overtime on Oct. 28, 2022 (42-34).
• FIU is now 8-6 all-time in overtime contests following tonight's 33-27 win in double overtime.

PANTHERS MATCH BEST 4-GAME START
The Panthers' 3-1 start to 2023 matched their best four-game start in program history, which they also accomplished in 2017 and 2011.
 
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE
The Gamecocks enter Wednesday night's action boasting a 6-2 overall record and a 4-1 mark in Conference USA contests – and have won four of their last five games overall – with three wins coming against league foes.
 
Jacksonville State defeated Western Kentucky at home on Oct. 17 by a 20-17 margin – that was preceded by a 31-13 loss at current conference leader Liberty on Oct. 10.
 
The Gamecocks will be playing their first road contest since facing Middle Tennessee on Oct. 4 when they travel to Miami this week.
 
Jacksonville State is averaging 377.6 yards of offense and 27.0 points over their opening eight contests and are allowing 359.8 yards and 19.1 points on average to their opponents.
 
The Gamecocks are in their first year in the FBS and Conference USA after competing at the NCAA FCS level from 2003-22.  Jacksonville State won the NCAA Division II Championship in 1992.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. JACKSONVILLE STATE
Wednesday's game between FIU and Jacksonville State will mark the second meeting between the programs in the sport of football and the first with both members of Conference USA.
 
The Gamecocks defeated the Panthers 19-10 in the only previous meeting on Oct. 23, 2020 in Miami.
 
JACKSONVILLE STATE-FLORIDA CONNECTION
The Gamecocks have 12 players on their active roster that hail from the state of Florida.
 

Chuck Taylor	Auburndale, Fla.	Lake Wales HS
Anthony Benjamin	Fort Myers, Fla.	Dunbar HS
Daveion Harley	Havana, Fla.	Gadsden County HS
Larry Worth	Jacksonville, Fla.	Baldwin HS
Jabari Mack	Jacksonville, Fla.	Fork Union Military Academy
Kamari Stephens	Jacksonville, Fla.	Sandalwood HS
Tae Floyd	Ocala, Fla.	Forest HS
Jaylen Williams	Orlando, Fla.	Jones HS
Anwar Lewis	Pensacola, Fla.	Pine Forest HS
Quinton Lane	Tampa, Fla.	Robinson HS
Keyon Clark	Tampa, Fla.	Tampa Bay Tech
Zechariah Poyser	Wildwood, Fla.	Wildwood HS

 
LAST TIME VS. JAX STATE
FIU fell to Jacksonville State on Oct. 23, 2020, as the Gamecocks pulled out a 19-10 win over the Panthers.
 
In his first career start, Stone Norton scored FIU's lone touchdown of the game, as the quarterback connected with Nate Jefferson for a six-yard strike. Josh Powell led FIU on defense, finishing the game with nine tackles. On special teams, Tommy Heatherly boomed five punts, earning a 49.0 average and a long of 69 to cap his night.
 
FIU got on the board first after Chase Gabriel made his first field goal attempt of the season, with the true freshman knocking in a 37-yarder midway through the first quarter. JSU scored 13 unanswered points before the half however, as the Gamecocks took a 13-3 advantage into the break.
 
JSU tacked on another field goal in the second half, before the Panthers blocked their next attempt after Rishard Dames got a piece of the ball. FIU strung together a seven-play, 55-yard scoring drive that was capped with a Norton touchdown toss to Jefferson from six yards out. FIU couldn't get past the 16-10 deficit however, as JSU earned the road win.
 
FIU EXECUTES ONSIDE KICK VS. UTEP
The Panthers recovered an onside kick early in the third quarter their game vs. UTEP – their first since it turned the trick vs. Louisiana Tech on Oct. 28, 2022.
 
KRIS MITCHELL AMONG NATION'S BEST
FIU junior wide receiver Kris Mitchell enters Wednesday night's game with 711 receiving yards - which ranks as the 11th-highest total in FBS and tops in Conference USA.
 
He is averaging 88.9 receiving yards per contest (20th/best in FBS) and his five touchdown catches are the 32nd-most nationally and fifth in CUSA.
 
In addition, he has snagged at least one reception of at least 25 yards in each of the last eight games. He has notched a total of four catches this season over 40 yards.
 
DEFENSE STIFFENS IN RED ZONE
The Panthers' defense has tightened when it has mattered most this season as FIU currently boasts the 33rd best red zone defense in FBS and third in Conference USA.
 
FIU has allowed scores on 23-of-30 opponents red zone chances and 14 touchdowns.
 
DONOVAN MANUEL LEADING SURGING DEFENSE
Senior linebacker Donovan Manuel has been one of the unquestioned leaders of the Panthers' defense in 2023.
 
Manuel currently ranks among the nation's leaders in a number of defensive categories including:
 
Forced Fumbles – 3rd in FBS – 1st in CUSA (0.50 pg)
Total Tackles - 20th in FBS - 2nd in CUSA (9.9 pg)
Solo Tackles - 12th in FBS - 2nd in CUSA (5.4 pg)
 
Manuel has recorded double-figure stops in three of eight games overall.  He has totaled 12.0 TFLs and 79 tackles to lead the Panthers in both categories through eight games.
 
He has tabbed nine or more tackles in six of eight games overall entering Wednesday night.
 
JENKINS SECOND AMONG ALL FBS FRESHMEN IN PASSING YARDS
True freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins has wasted little time making his presence known since taking over as starter the last seven games.
 
He currently boasts a total of 1,656 passing yards over his seven starts entering Wednesday's game vs. Jacksonville State - which currently ranks as the 47th-highest total in FBS - and second-most among all freshman nationally.
 
His average of 236.6 passing yards per game sits as the third-best mark in Conference USA and the 42nd best mark in the nation.
 
In addition, Jenkins has shown a knack for the big play with an average of 13.57 yards per completion - the 21st best total among all FBS quarterbacks.
 
The product of Miami Central High completed passes to eight different receivers while completing 20-of-32 passes for 291 yards in the Panthers' 46-39 win over North Texas on Sept.9.
 
That followed a 292-yard performance in his first career start vs. Maine on Sept. 2 which shattered the record for most passing yards ever by a true freshman at FIU - a record that had stood since 2002.
 
In his first road test, he went for 284 yards and two TDs in a 24-17 win at Connecticut - which also saw him complete passes to seven different receivers.  He also added 24 yards on the ground and a rushing TD in the win over the Huskies on Sept. 16.
 
JENKINS WINS UNDER CENTER
True freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins has known little but winning in his recent seasons as a starting signal caller dating back to his prep career at Miami Central.
 
Jenkins won each of his last 26 starts at Miami Central while also guiding the Rockets to three consecutive state titles from 2020-22.
 
He opened 3-0 as a starter for FIU prior to a loss against Liberty on Sept. 23.
 
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
Here is a list of some other FIU players who rank on the national and conference leaderboards:
 
Passing Efficiency
Keyone Jenkins – 130.8
70th/FBS
4th/CUSA
 
Points Responsible For Per Game
Keyone Jenkins – 9.7
82nd/FBS
5th/CUSA
 
Punt Returns
Dean Patterson - 12.3
13th/FBS
1st/CUSA
 
Rushing Yards
Shomari Lawrence - 435
88th/FBS
7th/CUSA
 
Total Offense
Keyone Jenkins – 247.0
57th/FBS
5th/CUSA
 
Interceptions
CJ Christian – 3
14th/FBS
2nd/CUSA
 
TFLs
Donovan Manuel – 1.5
11th/FBS
1st/CUSA
 
UP NEXT
Following the showdown with the Gamecocks, FIU will be idle for 16 days until facing Middle Tennessee State on the road on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Football season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.