MIAMI — FIU's football program defeated Conference USA (CUSA) leading-Jacksonville State on Senior Day 27-21 to secure its sixth win of the 2025 campaign, securing bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2019 season. 

The Panthers (6-5, 4-3 CUSA) outscored the Gamecocks (7-4, 6-1 CUSA) 20-7 in the second half to claim an impressive 27-21 victory in their final home game. Kejon Owens racked up 135 rushing yards to lead the offensive effort and became the new single-season rushing leader in program history, surpassing Kedrick Rhodes mark of 1,159 yards from 2011. Alex Perry had a career-high 109 yards on four receptions, including a critical 64-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Joe Pesansky passed for two TDs and finished with 196 yards through the air, adding 40 yards on the ground on 11 attempts. 

Josiah Taylor had nine tackles, three of which went for loss, one sack and a crucial forced fumble. Defensively, FIU had three sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss and six pass breakups against the top-ranked rushing attack in CUSA. Jessiah McGrew had ten tackles to lead the group while Johnny Chaney Jr. and Mister Clark added eight stops each. 

Down 14-7 at the half, FIU stormed out of the locker room with a 10-play, 75-yard drive over 5:27 that was capped by a Chad Staley one yard receiving touchdown to tie the score at 14-all.

Jax State then responded with score on a quick drive following an FIU turnover to regain the lead, 21-14. Noah Grant made his first field goal of the evening to cut the deficit to 21-17, setting the stage for the Panthers' dominant fourth quarter. Two plays into FIU's first drive in the final frame, Perry and Pesansky hooked up for a game-changing play as Perry took a short pass from Pesansky to the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown. 

The Panther defense shined after taking the lead, forcing Jax State into two punts, one fumble and a turnover on downs that iced the game with 1:54 to go. The fumble came inside FIU's 25-yard line with 8:34 remaining and was punched out by Taylor and recovered by Dante Anderson. Grant added on a field goal to seal the 27-21 result before Jax State's final drive.  

QUICK NOTES
⁃            Owens now has 1,174 rushing yards for the season and is just the third-ever FIU running back to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season and the first since Kedrick Rhodes in 2011.  Owens now has 11 rushing touchdowns this season, of which is the third-most in school history. For his career, Owens now has 2,102 yards, of which ranks sixth all-time and 22 rushing touchdowns, tied-third all-time. 
⁃            Perry's 104 yards are a career high and his touchdown was his seventh receiving TD of the season. Seven receiving TDs are tied for fifth-best in a season in program history. Perry has caught touchdowns in four straight weeks and is up to 676 yards for the season. His 64-yard TD catch is tied for the longest play of the season for FIU and is the longest scoring play this season for the Panthers.
⁃            Grant, who started the season as solely the kickoff specialist, has now made 12 field goals this season, tying-him for ninth all-time for most in a single season. His 80.0 percent success rate is fourth-best for a single season in program history. 
⁃            Taylor's nine tackles are a career-high. 
⁃            McGrew matched a season-high with his 10 tackles. 
⁃            Johnny Chaney Jr. had eight tackles and now has 96 on the season, just two-shy of moving into the top-12 for most in a season all-time. Chaney also recovered a fumble that was forced by Anderson in the third quarter. 
⁃            Both Kenton Simmons and Germaine Carter each had one sack. 
⁃            This is FIU's first three-game winning streak in CUSA play since 2019 and first three-game win streak overall since 2023. As mentioned, FIU also clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019. 
⁃            The victory extends Willie Simmons' streak to a perfect nine-for-nine in .500 or better seasons as a head coach. 
⁃            The win is FIU's fourth CUSA victory, the first time the program has won four conference games since 2018. 
⁃            The win marks the program's first-ever win over Jax State, improving FIU's overall record vs. the Gamecocks to 1-3. 

BOWL BOUND
Led by first-year head coach Willie Simmons and our talented student-athletes, coaches and staff, the Panthers are set to represent FIU on a national stage. Bowl specifics will be announced in the coming weeks, and we will share ticket, travel and celebration information as it becomes finalized.

In the meantime, please complete the short interest form so you do not miss any communication regarding bowl information, game tickets, travel packages, alumni tailgate and more events. Additionally, bookmark FIUSports.com/Bowl for all your postseason information.

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.

UP NEXT
FIU takes on Sam Houston in its final game of the 2025 regular season at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Panthers will then await their fate for bowl season. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
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