MIAMI — FIU's football team hosts Middle Tennessee on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. under the lights at Pitbull Stadium for its final Weekday Conference USA (CUSA) game of the 2026 season.
Game Themes | Fan Fit
Paws at the Pit | Wear Biscayne Blue
Game Sponsor
Guerra Wealth Advisors
Series History
Series Record: FIU trails 14-7
Last Meeting: FIU def. MTSU, 56–30 (Nov. 8, 2025)
Willie Simmons vs. Middle Tennessee: 1–0
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 radio on 990 AM La Poderosa. Live stats will also be available on fiusports.com/FBStats.
Official Kick-Off
7:02 p.m. ET
Broadcast — CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Justin Kutcher
Analyst: Ben DiNucci
Radio — 990 AM La Poderosa
Play-by-Play: Tony Calatayud
Analyst: Anthony Calatayud
Analyst: Jose 'Chambi' Campos
Game Preview
The Panthers (3-3, 1-1 CUSA) welcome the Blue Raiders (3-3, 1-1 CUSA) in a marquee midweek matchup with a lot on the line on Tuesday evening in Miami. Despite a close defeat to Jax State in its CUSA road opener, FIU still controls its own destiny in a quest for a CUSA Championship Game appearance and looks to maintain its unblemished record at home in 2026.
On the other side, MTSU garnered a hard-fought victory at home in its last competition, defeating Delaware 33-30 on Oct. 13 to keep its CUSA title bid hopes alive. The Blue Raiders will have revenge on their mind after the Panthers produced a 56-30 win on MTSU's Senior Day last season, led by five combined touchdowns from Joe Pesansky. In order to make this happen, the Blue Raiders will have to reverse their road woes as they enter this matchup 0-3 on the road.
For FIU, its defense has been simply outstanding, sitting at the top of the conference in both scoring and overall defense, ranked as one of the nation's best through six games. A key factor for the Panthers will be limiting MTSU QB Roman Gagliano, who has shown signs of growth in his first full season as a starter. Gagliano has passed for two or more touchdowns in five-of-six games for the Blue Raiders and has just two interceptions with 1,204 passing yards this season.
The Panthers, behind Devonte Lyons, have gotten their running game going the last three weeks with three-straight 100-plus yard performances that have helped to pace a balanced offensive attack. MTSU is allowing 199.2 rushing yards per game, second-to-last in CUSA, an area which FIU will be looking to exploit at home. Lyons scored his first touchdown of the season last week at Jax State and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry in his last two games, both in CUSA play.
With both programs sitting at 1-1 and 3-3 overall, a win on Tuesday night could be the catalyst to launch them towards bowl eligibility and firmly position them in the CUSA Championship Game conversation as possibly one of just four teams with a winning record in conference play. Considering the breadth of history between these two programs and the gravity of this matchup, fans can expect fireworks from both sides on Tuesday night.
FIU Notes
- FIU fell in a tightly-contested battle on the road at Jax State its last time out, missing a game-tying field as time expired. The Panthers outgained and out-possessed Jax State, but had 12 penalties for 100 yards in the game.
- Panther RB Devonte Lyons now has 70+ rushing yards in back-to-back games after gaining 73 yards on the ground with one touchdown at Jax State.
- FIU's defense has only allowed 14.7 points per game, the 14th-least in the nation and the least among all CUSA programs.
- The Panthers scored their second-most points of the season against Jax State, putting up 24 points with three touchdowns in the game.
- Robert Czeremcha has made 2.0 field goals per game, the sixth-most nationally and first in CUSA.
- Maguire Anderson scored two touchdowns against Jax State and now has 534 receiving yards on the season, 13th-most nationally.
- FIU is ninth-nationally in time of possession and first in CUSA, averaging 33:30 of possession per game.
- The Panthers' three losses have combined a combined 19 points, an average of just 6.3 points per game.
Matchup Notes
- FIU and MTSU face off on Tuesday night under the lights at Pitbull Stadium in a pivotal CUSA clash between two programs sitting at 1-1 in conference play.
- The Panthers are undefeated at home this season while the Blue Raiders have not won a road game.
- FIU had lost five straight to MTSU before 2024, but has won the last two contests, including their first meeting under Willie Simmons, which was a lopsided 56-30 win in Murfreesboro last season.
- The Panthers' win in 2025 started off a historic four-game win streak to end the season, allowing FIU to clinch bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019.
- Panther coaches Willie Simmons, Nick Coleman and Kenneth Gilstrap all have heavy ties to the MTSU program. Simmons' first full-time coaching job was with the Blue Raiders from 2007-11. Coleman played QB for MTSU while Gilstrap played safety.
- The home team is a combined 14-7 in this series and all 21 games have come as conference opponents.
- FIU's back-to-back wins are its first win streak in a series that dates back to 2005.
Middle Tennessee
- These two teams met in 2025, where the Panthers came out on top, 56-30.
- The Blue Raiders are coming off a 33-30 win over Delaware, moving to 1-1 in Conference USA play.
- Quarterback Roman Gagliano in six games has completed 110 passes for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has also ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns. He is fourth in CUSA in passing yards and tied for third in passing touchdowns.
- Wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy leads MTSU with 35 receptions for 369 yards and four touchdowns. He is fifth in receiving yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns.
- The Blue Raiders offense has the second highest fourth down conversion rate in Conference USA (66.7%).
- Linebacker Korey Smith is second in CUSA in total tackles (56). He also has 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.
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.
Weekly Media Availabilities
Best of Social Media
The Willie Simmons Coach's Show
The Panthers have partnered 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.
25th Season Celebration, Presented by Miccosukee Casino and Resort
The 2026 season for the Panthers officially marks FIU's 25th season of football competition, dating back to the Panthers' first-ever season in 2002. Over that time period, FIU has qualified for six bowl games, secured six Shula Bowl victories and produced countless NFL players, including Pro Bowlers T.Y Hilton and Jonnu Smith. The program has also seen many legendary coaches and outstanding players pass through the Panther facilities throughout its history, creating a litany of incredible moments experienced by Panther Nation.
Fans can be expected to be taken on a journey back to the inception of the program all the way up to the present day, recognizing the standard set by the first teams and acknowledging how many past Panthers have helped to build on that legacy. All of this will lead up and continue through the 25th official season in 2026, the second under head coach Willie Simmons, following one of the most historic seasons on record in his first year on the sidelines.
As the campaign begins with a variety of content in the coming weeks, visit our one-stop shop for the 25th Season Celebration. In conjunction with this, fans are encouraged to follow along with the many highly-engaging pieces of content recognizing the past that will be released on FIU Football's social media channels, listed below.
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.
