After a successful 2025 season, the FIU Panthers are set to face off against the UTSA Roadrunners in the First Responder Bowl. While down a few key contributors on defense, the Panthers are set to have all of their horses on offense, including star running back Kejon Owens. The same could be said for UTSA, which is set to have quarterback Owen McCown finish out his college career this weekend.
What do you need to know for the game? And how do both teams stack up? You are in the right place for just that, as it is time to dive into the last FIU game preview of 2025.
2025 First Responder Bowl Preview
FIU vs. UTSA Matchup History
Over the history of both programs, UTSA and FIU have each won two games.
In the first matchup, the Roadrunners narrowly defeated the Panthers by a score of 16-13. FIU won the next two matchups in 2017 and 2018, with the latter being the first blowout of the series with a score of 45-7.
Ahead of the 2025 First Responder Bowl, UTSA won the last matchup in Miami by a score of 30-10. In that game, Kejon Owens ran for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Demetrius Hill had nine total tackles.
Key Players for FIU
For FIU, players for the game are running back Kejon Owens, wideout Alex Perry, and defensive back Shamir Sterlin.
When they are at their best, the Panthers’ offense flows through the run game, and specifically Owens. On 203 attempts, the senior running back posted 1292 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry, 806 yards after contact, and 39 missed tackles forced. Owens also had 33 runs of 10 yards or more, 700 breakaway yards, and 58 first downs.
UTSA’s run defense has its moments, but its solid production has been more related to the passing defense being a sieve. FIU will have plenty of opportunities to hit big plays down the field in the passing game, but only if Owens gets rolling first. And based on his 2025 season, that should not be a problem for the Panthers.
If the run game gets established, the Panthers will have a chance to use Alex Perry to open the game up. Leading FIU with 816 yards and nine touchdowns, Perry has won at every level of the field this season. The wideout has won vertically, shown off great YAC ability, and won on countless contested catches (13-of-25 on contested catches).
Once Joe Pesansky took over at quarterback, Perry elevated to a new level. He not only scored in every game he started in, but also posted at least 70 yards in them.
No matter who starts at quarterback, Perry is the go-to weapon for the Panthers. To win this game, FIU needs to get him targets and designed touches early and often.
On defense, Shamir Sterlin is not only a key player, but arguably the key player for FIU.
Sterlin found a way to make big-time plays this season. However, the safety’s role is much bigger in this week’s bowl game.
Fellow FIU defensive backs Jessiah McGrew, Brian Blades III, Mister Clark, and Victor Evans III have all announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal. As a result, there is a leadership and skill void on the backend for the Panthers. Those voids may not be able to be patched before gametime.
Sterlin has a chance to have a true breakout moment as a player and leader on Friday. If he steps up to the plate, the safety will be in a great spot to lay the foundation to make his name known on a national level.
Key Players for UTSA
For UTSA, key players for the game are quarterback Owen McCown and linebacker Shad Banks Jr.
Facing a depleted FU secondary, the senior quarterback has a chance to go out with a bang in his last college game. Throwing for 2706 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, McCown has the ability to hit throws at all levels of the field. While he has struggled with interceptions at times this season, the son of NFL veteran Josh McCown has also been the main reason the Roadrunners have won multiple games this year.
The Panthers will be a tough task schematically for UTSA. However, the quarterback is more than equipped to handle it. How he fares in this contest will likely influence the type of game the First Responders’ Bowl turns into.
Defensively, Banks needs to bring his best as a run defender.
Contributing as a pass defender and pass rusher, the linebacker has recorded impressive numbers when flying downhill. This season, he’s accrued 63 tackles, 18 assists, and 37 run stops in 12 games. He starred against Texas A&M and East Carolina, while struggling massively against USF. There have been massive highs, but a few games have had some bad lows.
To beat FIU, it starts with stuffing the run game. Eye candy and motion aside, the Panthers are going to come downhill with force and tenacity. How Banks and the rest of the UTSA unit respond will determine the flow of this game.
Keys to Victory: FIU
Stick to the Plan on Offense
UTSA, like FIU, has dealt with multiple departures on both sides of the ball. As a result, calling a specific game plan a “key to victory” feels disingenuous. Instead, the Panthers need to stick with their game plans that have worked all season.
The Panthers need to establish the run, keep the chains moving, and hit deep shots when needed in the passing game. FIU should not be overmatched in this game, and if they stick to what works, they should have a great shot to win.
Battle
Without a full roster, things will not be easy for the Panthers. In the words of Vince Staples, so what?
FIU needs to come out with energy, motivation, and speed against the Roadrunners. Anything short of that, to be frank, would be a disappointment for a team breaking a drought.
Keys to Victory: UTSA
Don’t Lose Focus
It would be easy for UTSA to lose focus after being hit with plenty of transfers once again. That cannot happen in this game, especially against a physical opponent like FIU.
The Roadrunners cannot take their foot off the gas on Friday. If they do, things could get ugly for UTSA.
Play Fast
In football, sometimes the best way to fight fire is with fire. FIU is going to fly around the field on both sides of the game with an upper-tier effort. Like the above point, UTSA cannot lose the effort and speed that have helped it become a stable program in the American Conference. Anything less than that could legitimately spell disaster.
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Brandyn Pokrass
Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2023 with a Communications Degree, a concentration in Multimedia Journalism, and a minor in Broadcasting. Received an M.A. in Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2024. Wrote for Jets Insider for two years, was previously a beat writer for Jets X-Factor, previously hosted a Knicks podcast for Let's Talk Knicks, and contributed to Inside the Iggles. Currently writes for Metsmerized Online, contributes to Badlands, and contributes video content to Couch Potato Sports Coverage. Avid movie watcher, gym goer, music listener, and overall sports fan.