GAME 7
FIU (3-3, 0-3 CUSA) vs. UTEP (1-5, 0-2 CUSA)
DATE
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
KICKOFF
7:30 p.m. ET
STADIUM
FIU Stadium (20,000)/Miami, Fla.
WATCH FIU FOOTBALL WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
FIU FOOTBALL MEDIA AVAILABILITY – GAME 7 – vs. UTEP
FIU football head coach
Mike MacIntyre met with the media on Friday afternoon to preview this Wednesday's showdown vs. UTEP.
THE COACHES
FIU
Head Coach:
Mike MacIntyre (Georgia Tech '89)
Overall Record: 53-76 (11th season)
Record at FIU: 7-11 (2nd season)
UTEP
Head Coach: Dana Dimel
Overall Record: 48-84 (12th season)
Record at UTEP: 18-45 (6th season)
QUICK HITS
- The Panthers host the Miners for the first time since 2019 when they square off on Wednesday night in Miami.
- Wednesday's contest will mark the first meeting with both as members of Conference USA.
- FIU leads the all-time series with UTEP 3-2 and is a perfect 2-0 in Miami vs. the Miners.
PANTHERS WELCOME UTEP IN THE CAGE FOR VICE NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
FIU is back at The Cage this Wednesday night for a 7:30 p.m. nationally televised ESPN2 showdown vs. UTEP.
This week will mark the second straight nationally televised broadcast and the second of four this month on the network as the Panthers will play games at Sam Houston (Oct. 18) and vs. Jacksonville State (Oct. 25) that will air on CBS Sports Network.
The FIU - UTEP game can also be heard on Miami's WQBA 1140 AM with AJ Ricketts (pxp) as well as Billy Gil (guest analyst) and Patrick Murray (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 and Miners will be meeting for second consecutive season and for the sixth time overall when they square off in Miami on Wednesday night. FIU leads the all-time series with UTEP 3-2 and is a perfect 2-0 in Miami vs. the Miners.
PANTHERS TO UNVEIL NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED VICE UNIFORMS ON WEDNESDAY
The Panthers will unveil their Vice themed uniforms on Wednesday vs. UTEP, which were ranked as the top look in all of college football for the 2023 season by Sports Illustrated.
The publication touted the "Miami Vice old-school look" – which features black jerseys with fuchsia accents – and pay tribute to the 1980s television drama and the cultural impact it had on the city of Miami.
PANTHERS MATCH BEST FOUR-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.
FIU LOOKING FOR FOUR IN SEVEN
FIU is looking for its fourth win of 2023 - which would match its win total from last season and mark the fastest in season to four wins since 2019.
SCOUTING UTEP
The Miners enter Wednesday night's meeting with the Panthers 1-5 overall and have dropped each of their last four contests overall – with the last victory coming on Sept. 2 vs. Incarnate Word by a 28-14 margin.
UTEP is 0-3 on the road entering Wednesday night's clash with the Panthers and 0-3 in Conference USA action.
The Miners are averaging 346.5 yards of offense over their opening six contests and are allowing 385.0 to their opponents.
UTEP ranks 16th in the nation and second in CUSA with an average of 32:23 of time of possession per contest – buoyed by its average of 158.8 yards of rushing offense per game.
The Miners have averaged 16.2 points over its first six games and is allowing 16.2.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. UTEP
Wednesday's game between FIU and UTEP will mark the sixth meeting in program history and the second consecutive season they have met as members of Conference USA.
The Panthers trail the all-time series 3-2, with FIU dropping a 40-6 decision in El Paso in the most recent meeting in 2022.
FIU is a perfect 2-0 vs. the Miners in Miami – with the most recent contest coming in 2019 – a 32-17 FIU victory.
UTEP (3-2) Result Att.
| 11/16/13 |
at UTEP |
L/10-33 |
29,882 |
| 10/10/15 |
UTEP |
W/52-12 |
13,799 |
| 10/8/16 |
at UTEP |
W/35-21 |
17,751 |
| 10/19/19 |
UTEP |
W/32-17 |
13,591 |
| 11/19/22 |
at UTEP |
L/6-40 |
10,758 |
UTEP-FLORIDA CONNECTION
The MIners feature three players on their roster that hail from the state of Florida.
| Valentino Diaz |
Boca Raton, Fla. |
Boca Raton HS |
| Tyrice Knight |
Lakeland, Fla. |
Lake Gibson HS |
| Zach Fryar |
Venice, Fla. |
Venice HS |
LAST TIME VS. UTEP (11/19/22)
FIU allowed 38 points in the first half before falling 40-6 at UTEP in the final road game of the season on Saturday afternoon at El Paso's historic Sun Bowl.
The Miners managed to post a total of 356 yards in the opening 30 minutes – while limiting the Panthers to 60. For the game, UTEP posted a total of 525 yards (335 rush/190 pass). FIU finished with a total of 71 yards of offense (56 rush/15 pass).
UTEP quarterback Calvin Brownholtz completed 12-of-18 pass attempts for a total of 190 yards and two touchdowns. He completed passes to five different receivers, including Kelly Akharaiyi – who hauled in three catches for 99 yards, including a 68-yard TD grab.
Reynaldo Flores led the Miners on the ground with 128 yards on 13 carries – an average of 9.8 yards per carry.
FIU (4-7, 2-5 C-USA) saw starting signal caller
Grayson James complete 6-of-16 pass attempts for 56 yards. He also tossed one interception. Freshman quarterback
Haden Carlson played the entire second half for the Panthers.
Defensively, the Panthers were paced by linebackers
Gaethan Bernadel and
Donovan Manuel, who each tabbed nine tackles. FIU's lone score of the game from the defensive unit on a 15-yard fumble return for a score by linebacker
Alex Nobles.
KRIS MITCHELL AMONG NATION'S BEST
FIU junior wide receiver
Kris Mitchell enters Wednesday night's game with 550 receiving yards - which ranks as the 11th-highest total in FBS and tops in Conference USA.
He is averaging 91.7 receiving yards per contest (18th/best in FBS) and his four touchdown catches are the 35th-most nationally and second in CUSA.
In addition, he has snagged at least one reception of at least 38 yards in each of the last six games. He has notched a total of four catches this season over 40 yards.
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 - 1st in FBS - 1st in CUSA (0.67 pg)
Total Tackles - 9th in FBS - 2nd in CUSA (10.5 pg)
Solo Tackles - 6th in FBS - 2nd in CUSA (6.0 pg)
Manuel has recorded double-figure stops in three of six games overall. He has totaled 7.0 TFLs and 63 tackles to lead the Panthers in both categories through six games.
DEFENSE STIFFENS IN RED ZONE
The Panthers' defense has tightened when it has mattered most this season as FIU currently boasts the 21st best red zone defense in FBS and the tops in Conference USA.
FIU has allowed scores on 16-of-22 opponents red zone chances and 11 touchdowns.
JENKINS LEADS 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 five games.
He currently boasts a total of 1,250 passing yards over his five starts entering Wednesday's game vs. UTEP - which currently ranks as the 52nd-highest total in FBS - and tops among all freshman nationally.
In addition, his five touchdown passes over the last FIVE games is the 97th best mark among all FBS signal callers.
His average of 250.0 passing yards per game sits as the third-best mark in Conference USA and the 34th best mark in the nation.
In addition, Jenkins has shown a knack for the big play with an average of 14.88 yards per completion - the 15th 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 – 136.3
61st/FBS
3rd/CUSA
Points Responsible For Per Game
Keyone Jenkins – 10.0
76th/FBS
4th/CUSA
Punt Returns
Dean Patterson - 11.0
19th/FBS
1st/CUSA
Rushing Yards
Shomari Lawrence - 323
99th/FBS
5th/CUSA
Total Offense
Keyone Jenkins – 267.6
40th/FBS
5th/CUSA
OFFENSE OVER THREE-GAME WIN STREAK
FIU had its first three-game winning streak since 2019 prior to a loss to Liberty on Sept. 23 and the offense was rolling during the stretch.
Over the three-game win streak the offense has averaged:
289.0 passing yards
105.3 rushing yards
394.3 total offense
28.0 points
DEFENSE OVER THREE-GAME WIN STREAK
FIU had its first three-game winning streak since 2019 prior to a loss to Liberty on Sept. 23 and the defense played a key role - below are the highlights.
Over the three-game win streak the defense totaled:
20 Tackles for Loss
6 Sacks
4 Turnovers
MOST POINTS IN OPENING HALF SINCE 2019
FIU opened its 24-17 win at Connecticut fast as it scored 24 points in the opening minutes to head into halftime holding a 24-3 edge over the Huskies.
The Panthers' 24 points in the first half marked their highest first-half total since scoring 28 vs. Charlotte on Oct. 12, 2019.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will take to the road next week as they trek to Huntsville, Texas, for a Wednesday night Conference USA showdown at Sam Houston State on Oct. 18. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS Sports Network.
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.
