MIAMI — FIU's football program returns home to Pitbull Stadium for a matchup with Buffalo in its home opener on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Panthers (0-1) welcome the Bulls (1-0) for a Saturday night battle under the lights at Pitbull Stadium. FIU's home opener will feature a halftime ceremony honoring the inaugural Panther football team from 2002, of which will kick-off the official season-long 25th Season Celebration.
Game Themes / Fan Fit
25th Season Celebration Kick-off | Wear Navy!
Game Sponsor
Pini Insurance
Series History
Series Record: First Meeting
Willie Simmons vs. Buffalo: First 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 — ESPN+
Play-by-Play: Corey Brooks
Analyst: Jermon Bushrod
Analyst: Billy Gil
Sideline: Sydney Jones
Radio — 990 AM La Poderosa
Play-by-Play: Tony Calatayud
Analyst: Anthony Calatayud
Analyst: Jose 'Chambi' Campos
fiusports.com Audio Stream
Play-by-Play: Wendell Epps
Analyst: Ryne Guida
Game Preview
FIU and Buffalo will battle for the first time in program history on Saturday for the Panthers' 2026 lid-lifter at Pitbull Stadium. In a clash of two prominent Group of Six programs, FIU looks to get back to its winning ways at home following a hard-fought 19-9 defeat at South Florida in Tampa last Saturday. The Panthers were led by JJ Kohl, who passed for 300-plus yards and had a career-high 31 completions, many of which went to Maguire Anderson, who finished the day with career-highs of eight catches and 87 yards in defeat.
Defensively, FIU's unit stood toe-to-toe with one of the most-talented teams on its schedule, allowing just 208 yards to USF. The Panthers racked up 7.0 tackles for loss in the game and held the Bulls to 3.7 yards per play.
Looking to this week against the Bulls of Buffalo, Willie Simmons enters Year Two at the helm of the FIU program, undefeated in non-conference games at home after convincing wins over Bethune-Cookman and Fla. Atlantic in 2025. Offensively, Kohl's 300-yard passing day in the opener could be a preview to a revamped FIU attack, featuring a more air-it-out style that 'Shotgun' Simmons has sought to bring to South Florida. In Buffalo's matchup with Albany, the Bulls allowed 204 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air, but did register three sacks against the Great Danes, an FCS opponent.
For the Panthers, it will be important to protect Kohl from a quality Buffalo rush so that the junior quarterback can spread the ball around once again. Kohl connected with nine different receivers in the opener and fans can expect that a balanced passing game will be on display once again this Saturday.
Matchup Notes
- The Panthers and Bulls meet for the first time in program history as Buffalo is FIU's lone first-time opponent in 2026.
- This is the first time that FIU has hosted a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since defeating Central Michigan, 52-16, in the Pitbull Stadium opener on Sept. 7, 2024.
- FIU is undefeated under Willie Simmons in non-conference home games, downing both Bethune-Cookman and Fla. Atlantic convincingly in 2025.
- Since Pitbull Stadium was re-named prior to the 2024 season, the Panthers are 8-4 at their home venue, 4-2 under Simmons.
- The Panthers have won five-straight home openers.
- FIU's home opener will feature a special celebration honoring the first-ever Panther football team from 2002, in an ode to FIU's 25th Season Celebration, commemorating 2026 as the 25th Season of Football for the program.
- Defensively, FIU's stout front allowed just 208 yards of total offense to USF, the least for the Panther defense in Simmons' tenure and the least overall since allowing 207 yards to Sam Houston on Oct. 22, 2024.
- JJ Kohl passed for 301 yards against USF, racking up a career-high 31 completions. Kohl's 300-plus yard day was the first for the Panthers in the Simmons' era and the first overall since Keyone Jenkins passed for 319 yards vs. Middle Tennessee on Nov. 30, 2024.
- Elisha Baldridge, who had two TFLs and five tackles against USF, was rated by Pro Football Network as its ninth-ranked EDGE in all of FBS for Week One.
- Defensive Coordinator Jovan DeWitt was recognized as CBS College's Defensive Coordinator of the Week in CUSA for the FIU's defense's strong effort.
- FIU's uniforms will feature the Miccosukee Casino & Resort logo, the Panthers' recently-announced jersey patch sponsor. Miccosukee is also the proud sponsor of FIU's 25th Season Celebration.
- A win would be FIU's third-straight victory at home.
- The Panthers' defensive line coach, Joe Cauthen, was the defensive coordinator at Buffalo during the 2021 season.
Buffalo
- Buffalo enters this matchup following a 21-17 win over Albany in its season opener at home.
- The Bulls had a 5-7 record in 2025, with seven of their 12 results decided by one score.
- Head Coach Pete Lembo was hired prior to the 2024 season and holds a 15-11 record overall, which included a 10-win season in his first year as head coach in 2025.
- In UB's win over Albany, Chance Morrow had all three touchdown catches from Buffalo QB, Wingate transfer, Elijah Holmes.
- This will be the second-longest road trip for any visitor to Pitbull Stadium in 2026 as Buffalo will be traveling a total of 1,437 miles, equivalent to a 22.5 hour car ride.
- The Bulls last played in the State of Florida in 2017 as Buffalo defeated Fla. Atlantic in Boca, 34-31.
- Buffalo's last meeting with a CUSA program came in the Bahamas Bowl on Jan. 4, 2024 with the Bulls defeating Liberty, 26-7.
- FIU is playing an opponent with Bulls as its surname for the second-straight week after facing off with
- South Florida in Week One. The Panthers will also face two separate 'Owls' teams this season in Fla. Atlantic (Sept. 19) and Kennesaw State (Nov. 21).
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 2026.
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
Willie Simmons
JJ Kohl
Deandre Boykins
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.
25th Season Celebration, Presented by Miccosukee Casino and Resort
The upcoming 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.
