MIAMI — Having qualified for its first bowl game since 2019, FIU's football program makes its way to Dallas, Texas to take on UTSA in the First Responder Bowl on Friday evening.
The Panthers (7-5, 5-3 CUSA) and Roadrunners (6-6, 4-4 American) face off at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT in a standalone matchup on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 26. FIU is currently riding a four-game winning streak and in search of its second win over American Conference competition this season following a 38-28 Shula Bowl win over Fla. Atlantic.
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SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: Tied 2-2
Last Matchup: UTSA def. FIU, 30-10 (Oct. 14, 2022)
Willie Simmons vs. UTSA: First-Ever Meeting
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can follow along with the game on variety of platforms. The matchup will air live on ESPN and also be available via audio stream on
fiusports.com/listenlive. Live stats will also be available on
fiusports.com/FBStats.
BROADCAST TEAMS
ESPN
Play-by-Play: Anish Shroff
Analyst: Andre Ware
Sideline: Paul Carcaterra
fiusports.com Audio Stream
Play-by-Play: Corey Brooks
Analyst:
Nick Garrido
MATCHUP NOTES
⁃ The Panthers and Roadrunners meet for the first time since 2022 and the fifth time overall. Both spent time as Conference USA members, spanning from 2014-2022 before UTSA made itsmove to the American.
⁃ FIU is in the midst of a four-game winning streak to close out the regular season, its first four-game winning streak overall since 2018 and its first-ever four game game win streak in CUSA play. FIU is one of just 19 teams nationally on a four game (or more) win streak.
⁃ FIU had a record haul of 14 All-CUSA selections, the most-ever for the program in the CUSA era. The Panthers had four first teamers and five second teamers to go along with two honorable mention and two all-freshman honorees.
⁃ FIU is in search of its first bowl win since 2018 and this will be the Panthers' second bowl game against American Conference competition (Temple, 2017).
⁃ FIU's record-setting running back
Kejon Owens was honored as the CUSA Offensive Player of the Year, marking the first time that a player has received that honor in the CUSA era.
⁃ As a team, the Panthers are currently tied-fifth in the nation in explosive run plays (20+ yards) with 31 explosive rushes this season. FIU is also third in the nation in runs of 30+ yards.
⁃
Alex Perry, who earned First Team All-CUSA status, ranked first in CUSA with nine receiving TDs and is 15th-nationally in receiving TDs. He also is in the midst of a five-game TD scoring streak.
⁃ A win for FIU would give the program its first-ever five game winning streak.
⁃ A win would make
Willie Simmons the first coach in program history to win a bowl game in his first season.
⁃ Owens (54 yards, 1 TD),
Ross Fournet (1 rush, 1 catch, 14 combined yards),
Demetrius Hill (9 tackles) and
Keegan Davis (1 tackle) are the only current FIU Panthers that played in the previous meeting between FIU and UTSA.
ABOUT UTSA
⁃ The Roadrunners, out of the American, secured bowl eligibility for the sixth-straight season in 2025, all under current head coach Jeff Traylor, with their 58-24 win over East Carolina on Nov. 22.
⁃ This will be the UTSA's second time in the First Responder Bowl as UTSA lost to No. 19 Louisiana, 31-24, in the 2020 First Responder Bowl.
⁃ In the 2022 meeting between FIU and UTSA, of which was the only under current UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, the Roadrunners spoiled FIU's CUSA home opener, going up 30-3 before a late
Kejon Owens TD finished off the 20-point UTSA victory.
⁃ UTSA had six total All-American Conference selections: LB Shad Banks Jr. (First Team), RB Robert Henry Jr. (First Team), Caile Hogan (Second Team), Devin McCuin (Second Team), Houston Thomas (Third Team), Jimmy Wyrick (Third Team).
⁃ Owen McCown, son of longtime NFL QB Josh McCown, is UTSA's starting quarterback. In his second full season as starter, McCown has now racked up 58 passing touchdowns and 7,166 passing yards for his career. His 27 TDs are third-best in the American Conference for an offense which racked up 33.8 points per game.
⁃ UTSA's dual-headed rushing attack is a major part of its offensive threat as Robert Henry (fifth) and Will Henderson III (11th) both rank in the top-11 in the American Conference in rushing.
⁃ During its time in CUSA, UTSA won back-to-back CUSA Championships in 2021 and 2022.
FIU ATHLETICS APP
Fans are encouraged to download the Official FIU Athletics App for all FIU Athletics News and Digital Content, of which can be found searching 'FIU Athletics' in the App Store on both Android and iOS-based devices. Inside the app, fans will find the Panther Rewards program, of which rewards fans for attending FIU Athletics event with points that can be used for prizes.
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