MIAMI — FIU football's final non-conference tilt is set for this Saturday, Sept. 26 inside Pitbull Stadium at 6 p.m. as the Panthers take on the Sharks of LIU.
Game Themes / Fan Fit
Family Weekend | Pig Roast Series FIU Tailgate Edition Pregame / Wear White!
Giveaways
Free FIU Cowboy Hats for First 1,000 Students
Game Sponsor
Baptist Health
Series History
Series Record: FIU leads 1-0
Willie Simmons vs. LIU: 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 radio on 990 AM La Poderosa. Live stats will also be available on fiusports.com/FBStats.
Official Kick-Off
6:02 p.m.
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
Game Preview
FIU and LIU battle for the second time in program history on Saturday as the Panthers look to put behind them a tough defeat in the Shula Bowl at Fla. Atlantic their last time out. FIU is currently in the midst of a three-game winning streak at Pitbull Stadium, dating back to last season, and relishes the opportunity to build some momentum at home against the Sharks, an FCS opponent, before heading into Conference USA (CUSA) play.
The Panther offense exploded for 33 points in its last outing at home, soundly defeating Buffalo in the home opener. FIU hopes to light up the scoreboard once again on Saturday and keep head coach Willie Simmons unblemished at home in non-conference play. For Simmons and the Panthers, the result and a victory will, as always, be most important, but this matchup has much more to do with playing a complete game, of which so far FIU hasn't quite shown.
A tilt in which the Panthers are heavily favored sets up to be the perfect lid-lifter to the rest of the 2026 season with FIU showing its full strength in its final game before the CUSA slate begins on Oct. 7. In front of a Family Weekend crowd on Saturday evening, the Panthers push for a performance of excellence that will boost their spirits before a 10-day break from competition.
Matchup Notes
- The Panthers and Sharks meet for the second time in Miami after FIU handled LIU in the program's first-ever matchup, winning 48-10 to open the 2021 season on Sept. 2.
- LIU Head Coach Ron Cooper was a part of FIU's coaching staff in 2015 and 2016, first serving as defensive backs coach in 2015 and then defensive coordinator / linebackers coach / interim coach in 2016. Cooper coached the final eight games of the 2016 season and went 4-4 with a Shula Bowl victory.
- Willie Simmons is in search of his 75th win as a head coach and looks to maintain his unblemished record at Pitbull Stadium (3-0) in non-conference play.
- FIU hosts its second annual Pig Roast Series FIU Tailgate Edition pregame on Saturday during which over 110 teams will compete to be crowned Champion in several categories. This competition is the largest university pig roast competition in the nation.
- Maguire Anderson sits 11th-nationally in overall receiving yards (324) and leads CUSA in that category, averaging 108.0 yards per game. Anderson has set a new career-high in receiving yards (78, 98, 139) in each of FIU's first three games in 2026.
- Elisha Baldridge and DeeJay Holmes Jr. each have 3.0 sacks on the season and rank tied-first in CUSA along with sitting tied-ninth nationally in sacks.
- FIU's defensive line was rated the seventh-best nationally by PFN365 for its Week 3 performance at Fla. Atlantic.
- JJ Kohl is second in CUSA with 930 passing yards, averaging 310 yards per game throught the air.
- The Panthers are first in CUSA in total defense and rush defense and rank 20th-nationally, allowing just 256 yards per game.
- FIU's offensive line has allowed just two sacks this season, tied-tenth best in the nation.
- Panther alumni Hezekiah Masses recorded two interceptions for the Las Vegas Raiders in their Week Two win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Masses was named both AFC Rookie and Defensive Player of the Week.
- This marks the first time in program history that FIU will be facing a former head coach, interim or full-time.
LIU
- LIU is coming off a 20-16 loss to Villanova, dropping them to 0-4 on the season.
- FIU will be the second FBS opponent the Sharks will face in 2026. They faced Kansas, losing 51-6.
- LIU's offense features a dual-QB system as both Luca Stanzani and Ethan Greenwood will feature as the Sharks' signal callers. Stanzani is primarily a passing threat for LIU with 375 passing yards and two TDs. Greenwood is the rushing QB and has 140 yards on 32 carries this season.
- Linebacker Rafael Fasolino earned NEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. He leads the team with 35 total tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss.
- Kicker Will Johnson received recognition in the form of NEC Special Teams Player of the Week honor. He made three field goals (the longest being 34 yards), two of which gave LIU leads throughout the game. He also had an average of 44.8 yards per kickoff.
- Yes, there are Sharks in Long Island! Long Island's coastal waters are known as a nursery area for juvenile Great White Sharks and there have been shark sightings on Long Island beaches as recently as this past July when lifeguards spotted a nine-plus foot shark about 20 yards offshore at Point Lookout.
- Sharks often migrate to the warm waters of Long Island during the summer months due to its baitfish abundance and productive coastal habitat. Many times the sharks that are encountered are young and growing sharks as opposed to full grown adults. Cue the BABY SHARK SONG!
- LIU is approximately 7 miles or an 18-minute drive from Downtown Manhattan in NYC.
- The Sharks are known for their 'Fins Up' cheer, of which is the same slogan as the Miami Dolphins. LIU's basketball program, under former NBA star Rod Strickland, qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2025 and their 'Fins Up' moniker received national media attention.
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.
Other Fan Info
Updated Parking Map
Pig Roast Series Info
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
Joe Cauthen
Ryan Gadson
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 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.
