MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — FIU's football program used a dominant final three quarters to defeat Middle Tennessee 56-30 on Saturday afternoon in Conference USA (CUSA) play. 
 
The Panthers (4-5, 2-3 CUSA) were led by a historic performance from starting quarterback Joe Pesansky as FIU's offense exploded for 56 total points to defeat the Blue Raiders (1-8, 0-5 CUSA) by 26 points on Saturday afternoon. In his first start of the 2025 season, Pesansky racked up five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) to cement himself into the FIU record book as the first-ever Panther to account for five touchdowns in a single game. 
 
Pesansky spread the ball around to a variety of FIU receivers as Alex Perry, Jojo Stone and Dallas Payne each caught at least one touchdown. Perry finished the day with 71 receiving yards on five catches and two touchdowns. Stone showed his play-making ability with two touches, both of which were highlight reel plays, on his way to 64 yards and a score. Payne pulled down a 30-yard contested catch for a touchdown in the third quarter. 
 
In the fourth quarter, FIU got its rushing attack in on the scoring barrage as Kejon Owens ripped off a 32-yard touchdown and Anthony Carrie followed that with a 29-yard score to cap the 56-point outburst. 
 
FIU's defense forced three turnovers, recovering two fumbles, which were forced by Germaine Carter and Percy Courtney Jr., and intercepting a pass, courtesy of Brian Blades II. Shamir Sterlin led the way with 10 total tackles, including a tackle for loss. 
 
Both sides struggled to gain momentum in the opening quarter, but MTSU struck first for a long touchdown to go ahead 7-0. The FIU offense came alive in the second quarter with three touchdowns in the frame on three consecutive drives, of which was capped by a one-yard plunge from Owens to give the Panthers a 21-7 lead. 
 
The Blue Raiders answered with two quick drives that resulted in 10 total points before the half, cementing FIU's 21-17 halftime advantage. After the break, Pesansky led the Panthers on an impressive nine-play, 75-yard drive that spanned 4:26 seconds to put FIU back ahead by double digits, 27-17. MTSU found a way to answer again with a touchdown to pull within three. The Panthers then finished the game impressively with four touchdown drives and a field goal spanning 7:31 from the end of the third quarter to the middle of the fourth to secure the lopsided victory. MTSU scored a long touchdown in the final minute to finalize the 56-30 score. 

QUICK NOTES
⁃            Pesansky's four passing touchdowns also match a school record.
⁃            The Panthers' 56 points are the third-most in a game in program history and the most by any FBS team in Week 11. 
-            The win is Willie Simmons' 70th of his career in his 99th game. FIU's homecoming matchup with Liberty will be Coach Simmons' 100th career game as an NCAA head coach.
-            The win is FIU's first road win at Middle Tennessee since 2011, snapping a six-game losing streak in Murfreesboro. 
-            The win marks FIU's second road victory of the season in CUSA play, the first time the Panthers have won multiple road conference games since 2018. 
⁃            Perry's two touchdowns are a career-high and he is the first Panther receiver to have multiple touchdown catches in a game this season.
⁃            Stone's 64 yards are a season-high.
⁃            Both Payne and Stone have scored in back-to-back weeks.
⁃            Owens scored multiple rushing touchdowns for the third time this season.
⁃            Owens now has 955 rushing yards on the season and nine touchdowns. His 955 yards put him third in school history for rushing yards in a season and he continues to close in on the all-time record (1,159), set by Kedrick Rhodes in 2011. His nine rushing TDs move him into a tie for third all-time for rushing touchdowns in a season.
⁃            Blades' interception was his first of the season and the second of his career. 
⁃            Dante Anderson had the first sack of his career.
⁃            Robert Williams picked up his first full sack of the season.
⁃            Kenton Simmons registered a sack, his fourth of the season. 
⁃            Johnny Chaney Jr. and Germaine Carter accounted for the two fumble recoveries. 
⁃            FIU scored all 56 of its points in the final three quarters.
 
UP NEXT 
The Panthers host Liberty for their homecoming matchup next weekend on Saturday, Nov. 15 for a 5 p.m. kickoff at Pitbull Stadium. 
 
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.
 
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