MIAMI — FIU's football program looks to improve to 3-0 at home on Saturday evening, welcoming Conference USA (CUSA) newcomer Delaware to Pitbull Stadium for both team's CUSA opener.
The Panthers (2-1, 0-0 CUSA) and Blue Hens (2-1, 0-0 CUSA) will face off for the first time in either program's history on Saturday night at 6 p.m. under the lights on South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium. This contest will feature FIU's Biscayne Blue jerseys as part of its Noche Latina celebration, of which is done in conjunction with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. This game doubles as FIU's annual Family Weekend during which family members of players and coaches are encouraged to attend and support the Panthers.
SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: First-Ever Meeting
Last Matchup: First-Ever Meeting
Willie Simmons vs. Delaware: First-Ever Meeting
GAME SPONSOR
Nicklaus Children's Hospital is the presenting sponsor of FIU-Delaware. For more information on 'Where Your Child Matters Most', visit
nicklauschildrens.org/home.
FAN FITS / PROMOTIONS/GAME THEMES
Fan Fit: Wear Biscayne Blue!
Promotion: Vamos Panteras Hats to First 1,000 Students
Game Themes: Noche Latina / Family Weekend
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: Steve Goldstein
Analyst: Kim Bokamper
fiusports.com Stream
Play-by-Play: Corey Brooks
Analyst: Billy Gil
Analyst: Jackson McDonald
MATCHUP NOTES
⁃ FlU and Delaware meet for the first-ever time in what will double as the Blue Hens' first-ever CUSA game.
⁃ FIU is looking for its second-straight win in a Conference USA Opener after defeating Louisiana Tech last season, 17-10, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.
⁃
Willie Simmons played against Delaware as quarterback for the Citadel on Sept. 6, 2003 in Newark. Simmons completed 14 passes for 194 yards in a 41-7 defeat.
⁃ Both FIU and Delaware are entering the matchup following big victories, over Fla. Atlantic and UConn, respectively, and are receiving votes in this week's HeroSports Group of Five Top 25 poll.
⁃ Both teams have high-scoring offensive attacks as Delaware is second in CUSA with 28.7 ppg while FIU is third in CUSA with 26.7 ppg.
⁃ The Panthers have the second-ranked rushing offense (196 yards/game) in CUSA and the Blue Hens have the second-ranked passing offense (289.3 yards/game).
⁃ FIU has surrendered just four total sacks in its three games played, second-best in CUSA. Delaware has given up nine sacks in three games, fourth-most in CUSA.
⁃
Kejon Owens was named the Offensive Player of the Week by CUSA following a career-high 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Shula Bowl victory over Florida Atlantic. Owens is currently ninth in the nation in rushing yards (322) and tied-first in CUSA in overall touchdowns scored (four).
⁃
Keyone Jenkins is now third all-time in passing yards with 5,469 career yards. He is also tied-fourth in passing touchdowns with 34 for his career.
⁃
Shamir Sterlin was named Freshman of the Week by CUSA following his outstanding performance against Florida Atlantic. Sterlin collected eight tackles and had a diving interception on the Owls' first drive of the game in a 38-28 win.
⁃ Delaware is in its first season as a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program after enjoying success at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level.
⁃ The Blue Hens enter this matchup following a dramatic, overtime 44-41 victory over UConn (FIU's next opponent) at home on Saturday. The win marked the first FBS victory for Delaware as an FBS program.
⁃ Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci has nine total touchdowns, five through the air and four on the ground, of which is the second-most combined for any CUSA QB.
⁃ Delaware's Jake Thaw (88.5 YPG) and Kyre Duplessis (87.7 YPG) are the top two receivers in CUSA in yards per game.
⁃ Blue Hen running back Jo Silver (8.1 YPC) has the second-best yards per carry in CUSA.
⁃ Delaware is averaging the most first downs per game on offense in CUSA (24.7), but also is giving up the most first downs per game on defense in the conference (23.7).
⁃ Delaware won an FCS National Championship in 2003 under head coach K.C. Keeler. Keeler has ties to CUSA as he went on to be the head coach at Sam Houston from 2014-24 before being hired at Temple.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR GAMEDAY
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of everything students, alumni, donors and Panther supporters of any capacity need to know about the home gameday experience surrounding FIU football in 2025.
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.
GAME PREVIEW
The Panthers and Blue Hens will battle it out on Saturday night with both teams in search of victory in their CUSA opener. For Delaware, it will be a historic contest, marking the program's first ever CUSA game. For
Willie Simmons, he will also be looking for another piece of history, following a Shula Bowl Victory, as he embarks on his first-ever CUSA campaign.
Simmons and the Panthers are receiving national attention following three solid performances to begin the 2025 campaign. Most notably, FIU delivered a resounding 38-28 win over rival Florida Atlantic last Saturday, snapping a seven-game losing streak for its first rivalry victory since 2016. Now 2-0 at Pitbull Stadium, the Panthers look to continue to defend their home turf this week. Simmons has been highly-successful at home throughout his coaching career and is currently in the midst of a 22-game home winning streak, of which dates back to 2018 during his time as head coach of Florida A&M.
Following the Shula Bowl, FIU had multiple players recognized by its peers in CUSA as Players of the Week, the first time in program history that the Panthers received multiple selections.
Kejon Owens, who is currently ninth in the nation in rushing yards, earned Offensive Player of the Week while
Shamir Sterlin was tabbed as Freshman of the Week. FIU's run game, led by Owens and FIU's secondary, anchored by Sterlin, will be major factors in this week's matchup with the Blue Hens.
The Panthers have scored a league-high 10 touchdowns on the ground this season and average 196 rushing yards per game, second-most in CUSA. Fans can expect Owens and the rushing offense to continue to be a key part of the Panthers' offensive success. Defensively, the secondary will look to limit Delaware's passing offense, of which is averaging 289.3 yards per game, second-most in CUSA. So far, FIU's rush defense has been stout (149.7 yards/per game), which should help to counter dual-threat Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci. On the flip side, the Panther pass defense has allowed 261.3 yards/game through the air, third-worst in the league. In a look at both teams' strength and weaknesses, the matchup between Delaware's passing offense and FIU's pass defense will be one of the major determining factors in the overall result.
For Delaware, the Blue Hens have multiple threats on the offensive end that FIU will need to make sure to account for. Jake Thaw and Kyre Duplessis serve as Minicucci's main targets and are currently the top two receivers in CUSA in yards per game. Running back Jo Silver has shown his big play ability, averaging 8.1 yards per carry, the second-most in CUSA. Delaware's success will hinge on two things, how well the Blue Hens can stop the run and how effective the Delaware passing attack will be against FIU's secondary.
WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITIES
Willie Simmons
Anthony Gaitor
Keyone Jenkins
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
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@FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
