MIAMI — FIU's football program will look to end its 2025 non-conference schedule on a high note this weekend, taking on UConn in East Hartford, Conn. on Saturday, Oct. 4.
SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: Tied 1-1
Last Matchup: FIU def. UConn, 24-17 (Sept. 16, 2023)
Willie Simmons vs. UConn: First-Ever Meeting
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow along with the game on variety of platforms. The matchup will air live on CBS Sports Network and also be available via audio stream on
fiusports.com/listenlive. Live stats will also be available on
fiusports.com/FBStats.
BROADCAST TEAMS
CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Alex Del Barrio
Analyst: Logan Ryan
Sideline: Hailey Sutton
fiusports.com Audio Stream
Play-by-Play: Corey Brooks
Analyst:
Nick Garrido
MATCHUP NOTES
⁃ FIU and UConn meet for the third time in this series, of which started in 2022. The two programs are slated to meet for a fourth time, with the next tilt scheduled for Oct. 2, 2027 in Miami.
⁃ FIU claimed a dramatic 24-17 road victory when the two sides last met on Sept. 16, 2023.
Keyone Jenkins, in his third career start, passed for two touchdowns and 284 yards, adding another score on the ground.
⁃
Willie Simmons got a close-up look at the Huskies last season during his time as Running Backs Coach at Duke. The Blue Devils defeated the Huskies 26-21 at home on Sept. 14.
⁃ FIU will be looking for a 3-1 season in non-conference play for the first time since 2023 and just the third time overall (2017).
⁃ A victory for FIU would mark FIU's first consecutive wins over any opponent since defeating Charlotte in both 2018 and 2019.
⁃ The road team has won both of the previous meetings as FIU defeated UConn 24-17 in East Hartford in 2023 following a 33-12 win for the Huskies in Miami in 2022.
⁃
Willie Simmons will be looking for his first-ever road victory over an FBS opponent.
⁃ FIU is currently in the midst of a nine game losing streak on the road.
⁃ The Panthers are looking for their first win true bye week (two weeks between games) since 2019 when the Panthers defeated Miami on Nov. 23 at Marlins Park.
⁃ FIU remains first in CUSA and 23rd-nationally in time of possession, averaging 32:25 of possession per game.
⁃ UConn is just 1-5 all-time against teams currently in Conference USA (CUSA) and 2-10 against teams that had CUSA-affiliations when they played.
⁃ The Huskies' Skyler Bell is the nation's fourth-leading receiver with 499 yards. Additionally, he's third in the country with his 8.4 receptions per game.
⁃ UConn is averaging 34.2 points per game this season, 49th-best in FBS, but is surrendering 392.6 yards per game, of which ranks 97th.
⁃ UConn is one of just three programs nationally with zero turnovers this season.
⁃ Both FIU and UConn were defeated by Delaware this season as the Huskies fell 44-41 in overtime on Sept. 13 while the Panthers were dropped 38-16 in their last contest on Sept. 20.
FIU ATHLETICS APP
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GAME PREVIEW
The Panthers (2-2, 0-1 CUSA) and Huskies (3-2) meet in a pivotal matchup for potential postseason positioning on Saturday at UConn's Rentschler Field. Both programs have been off to up-and-down starts and will be in search of a marquee victory that can jump start their 2025 campaigns and, also, help both squads inch closer to the six-win threshold needed for bowl eligibility.
FIU enters this tilt after suffering a 38-16 setback to Delaware in its CUSA opener its last time out. Following a bye week, the Panthers are focused on bouncing back from a tough home loss as they look for their second-straight win in East Hartford. FIU takes on the Huskies for the third time in the last four seasons on Saturday as the two sides split the first-ever home-and-home meetings in 2022 and 2023, with the road team winning both of those games.
Kejon Owens continues to be the Panthers' standout performer on the offensive end, averaging 99.0 yards per game rushing, of which ranks 12th-nationally. His 6.6 yards per carry are 22nd best in the nation and third-best in CUSA. Defensively,
Johnny Chaney Jr. continues to anchor the middle from his linebacker position. Chaney racked up a career-high 13 tackles against Delaware and is averaging 9.0 tackles per game, the third-most in CUSA. As a team, the FIU rushing offense continues to be solid, racking up 187.0 yards per game, the second-most in CUSA, while the rush defense is the strength of the defensive unit, allowing just 147.3 yards per game, also second-best in the league.
For UConn, the Huskies have had their success this season primarily on the offensive end. They rank 25th-nationally in total offense with 459.0 yards per game and have shown balance with the rushing (190.2) and passing (268.8) attack. Experience quarterback Joe Fagnano, in his seventh year, facilitates the offense and has been very efficient this season. Fagnano currently has a completion percentage of 65.3 and has thrown for seven touchdowns with zero interceptions.
Skyler Bell, a potential NFL prospect, is a large part of the passing offense for UConn as he has racked up 499 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per catch. Bell ranks within the top-10 nationally in all major receiving statistical categories. Running back Cam Edwards has also been very productive, adding 557 rushing yards and six scores, averaging 111.1 yards per game.
One major factor in this matchup will be how well the Panthers can contain Bell and UConn's prolific passing attack. Another area of interest for FIU is whether the Panther offense can bounce back against a Huskie defense that has surrendered 392.6 yards per game and given up 25 points or more in three-of-four games against FBS competition. Fans can expect a high-scoring affair on Saturday afternoon in an important contest for both programs, of which will double as homecoming for the Huskies.
WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITIES
Willie Simmons
Kenneth Gilstrap
Alex Perry
Mister Clark
BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
THE WILLIE SIMMONS COACH'S SHOW
The Panthers will partner with Twin Peaks Doral, one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the entire franchise, for a weekly show with first-year Head Coach
Willie Simmons and other special guests.
Host Corey Brooks will sit down with Coach Simmons to discuss all facets of Panther football, with an emphasis on recapping the previous week's match-ups and previewing the upcoming game. For more information, click
here.
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Football tickets, including season tickets, single game and multi-game package tickets, 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.
