FIU vs. Delaware 2025 Preview: Keys, Players, and Predictions

Beginning conference play for Conference USA in Week 4, the FIU Panthers are set to welcome one of the newest FBS teams in the Delaware Blue Hens. Also sitting at 2-1 on the year, Delaware had an impressive upset victory over the UConn Huskies in overtime last weekend. While it did not seem like it before the season, this game could have big implications for both teams this season. It’s an FIU vs. Delaware matchup in Week 4, so let’s jump into the 2025 preview.

FIU vs. Delaware: Matchup History and Excerpts

In the history of both football programs, there have been no matchups between FIU and Delaware. As a result, Saturday’s game will be the first-ever overall matchup between both teams and the first matchup between the Panthers and Blue Hens as members of the same conference.

During Tuesday’s media availability, head coach Willie Simmons spoke about what the Delaware offense brings to the table and how it differs from their previous opponents.

“I think the biggest difference for them is that they are committed to running the quarterback. Whenever you have the type of offense that incorporates the quarterback run, it creates a new element … These guys make you account for zone reads, power reads, and dividing the defense while getting vertical at the same time. It is a version of the triple option offense out of the shotgun, which poses a lot of problems because it forces you to be disciplined. You have to play assignment football; somebody has to have the dive, somebody has to have the quarterback, and somebody has to have the wideout on the perimeter.

For us defensively, this is the first team that is forcing us to scheme against the triple option. They just are not doing it like the academy schools, who do it under center, but they are doing it out of the shotgun. The triple option is probably the biggest challenge defensively. They have some dynamic guys at running back; if you let them get a step on you, they could go the distance. They have been prolific on offense and have done a really good job, but it all centers around their quarterback. So we have to find a way to affect him for 60 minutes. ”

On the other side of things, Simmons said that the “multiplicity” of the FIU offense will help deal with Delaware’s defensive scheme.

“When you look at us on tape, you see a lot of different formations, motions, and personnel groupings. We are trying to run the same base plays, but give you different presentations. You have to be smart, because you cannot be vast in play selection and play presentation. In a 20-hour week, you cannot practice all of those looks. This is not the NFL, where this job is all they have…they are not living in the facility where we can put 100 plays on them. We may have a couple of wrinkles in how we do some things, but our base offense is our base offense. It is our job to create different pictures and looks to confuse the defense.”

Asked about the progression of the passing attack, quarterback Keyone Jenkins said that the group is focused on “carrying on” the momentum they built last week.

“Continue to do what we do. Establishing the run is our number one priority, but our challenge this week is to throw the ball more. We have to connect in the passing game, because we cannot be one-dimensional as an offense. We are going to keep progressing, and it is going to click.”

FIU vs. Delaware 2025 Preview: Keys to the Game

Key Players for FIU

Heading into their Conference USA slate, there’s plenty of players worth highlighting, but for now we’ll stick to two: wide receiver Alex Perry and linebacker Josiah Taylor.

Perry, a big-bodied transfer from Hawaii, is tied with Maguire Anderson for the team lead in receptions with seven. He has 78 yards receiving on the year and notched his first touchdown of the season last week, snagging a pass from Keyone Jenkins in open space. Perry has shown the ability to get open, make defenders miss in space, and make plays through contact for the Panthers.

Heading into the Delaware game, the Panthers are still searching for a wideout to step up. They have a variety of players capable of doing great things on the field, but they have not found a player to run the passing game through yet. Furthermore, the Blue Hens are susceptible to getting damaged through the air so there will be opportunities for success.

Perry, just like he did in fall camp, has a great chance to become the standout target for the Panthers. The Delaware matchup can be a breakout game for the wideout. If he does so, Perry can establish himself as a key option for the remainder of the season.

On defense, Josiah Taylor will be critical for the Panthers to have success against the Blue Hens.

Taylor, starting in place of the injured Percy Courtney Jr., already has 13 tackles and six run-stops through three games. He also has only missed two total tackles, giving him one of the better tackle rates on the FIU defensive unit, while also registering four pressures.

Against a team that is so reliant on the run game and misdirection, Taylor will be critical for the Panthers to leave Pitbull Stadium with the win. Johnny Chaney Jr. should be considered a lock to have a great game once again on Saturday; if Taylor joins him in that upper level of play, FIU will be in a great spot to have more overall success as a defense.

Key Players for Delaware

Heading on the road once again, Delaware will need great performances from wideout Kyre Duplessis and defensive lineman Jack Hall.

Usually going to work next to standout player Jake Thaw, Duplessis took over the UConn game with Thaw unavailable. Creating great separation and utilizing great speed, the wideout notched 161 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions. It was his second game of seven receptions or more and his second touchdown of the year.

Against FIU, the Blue Hens will likely look to run the ball on early downs and try to catch their opposition off guard. But for their offensive scheme to have success, they will need to have a threat in the passing game. If Duplessis consistently gets open against a tough Panthers’ secondary, Delaware will have a great chance to win the game.

On defense, Jack Hall’s importance is crystal clear.

Hall, after a slow first two games, turned things up against UConn in a big way. Notching five pressures and a sack, the veteran got his season back on track. In a long career with Delaware, Hall has 58 pressures and 10 sacks. Additionally, the defensive lineman has been a stout run defender, racking up 53 defensive stops in his career with seven coming in 2025.

Against the Panthers, Hall will need to be a force in this game. Delaware needs to stop the run and get pressure on Keyone Jenkins, if Hall cannot lead the charge on that, the Blue Hens will not have much of a shot on Saturday. If he does, though, Delaware could be in store for a great game.

Keys to Victory

FIU Keys to Victory

Stay Balanced on Offense

FIU has the potential to do all types of things on offense. They can run the ball at an extremely high level, and they can also throw the ball in a variety of ways. To beat the Blue Hens, the Panthers need to stay balanced and attack the weak points of the defense. This game will not be won by forcing things, but rather by the Panthers being themselves.

Be Disciplined on Defense

Option offenses are not stopped by being overaggressive. The Panthers need to read their keys consistently and not overcommit on plays. Essentially, the players need to trust their coaching and trust their practice habits to have success against the Blue Hens.

No Dumb Penalties

The Panthers, if they play their game, should be able to handle the Blue Hens. That will not happen if unnecessary or dumb penalties occur. FIU needs to stay out of the flag department once again on Saturday.

Delaware Keys to Victory

Play Clean and Fundamental Football on Offense

Delaware needs to focus on doing their job on the offensive side of the ball. They need to execute the scheme, capitalize on leverage, and not force things against a talented FIU defense. If they play their game at a high level, Delaware can easily compete in this game.

Stop the Run

Nothing works for the Blue Hens on Saturday if they do not stop Kejon Owens and friends. While Keyome Jenkins and the FIU offense can be dangerous through the air, the rushing attack has been one of the best in the country. The Blue Hens will have to let the cards fall where they lie in terms of the passing game, as if they do not take stopping the run seriously, Owens and company will have a field day once again.