FIU vs. Jacksonville State 2025 Preview: The Panthers Seek a Bowl Game

The situation is simple for FIU: win and get in. After a thrilling victory over the Liberty Flames, the Panthers just need one more win to get to their first bowl game since 2019. And with two games remaining, the odds seem pretty solid.

But before that, the Panthers have a chance to take care of business on their own turf on Senior Day against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

One of the best teams in C-USA this season, Jacksonville State can clinch its spot in the conference championship game with a victory over the Panthers. They have an impressive rushing attack and a solid defense, both of which have powered them to a 7-3 record through ten games.

It should be a fun one in the 305 on Saturday. Without further ado, let’s dive into our penultimate 2025 game preview for the FIU Panthers vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

FIU vs. Jacksonville State: 2025 College Football Preview

Game History and Excerpts

Like Liberty, FIU has not had the best of luck against Jacksonville State in their previous matchups. In three matchups dating back to 2020, the Panthers are 0-3 against the Gamecocks.

The first matchup was a relatively close one, as FIU was defeated by a score of 19-10. In 2024, the Panthers lost a nailbiter on the road, as Jacksonville State narrowly escaped with a 34-31 victory. Keyone Jenkins threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, while Devonte Lyons led the way with 88 rushing yards. Tre Stewart led the way on the ground for the Gamecocks, notching 139 yards and two touchdowns.

In his weekly media availability, head coach Willie Simmons spoke about the challenges that the Jacksonville State offense presents on the ground compared to Liberty.

“The difference is that their [Jacksonville State] quarterback is a true running threat. Liberty uses more window dressing to try to get the ball on the perimeter and then hit you in the A and B gaps. The quarterback is somewhat of a threat. If you take the running back away, he will pull it and get positive yards. [Caden] Creel is the fourth leading rusher in the conference. When he pulls it down, he is pulling it down to score. That’s the biggest difference. If you don’t contain him, he can hurt you more than any other quarterback in this conference.”

Simmons, asked about the type of execution needed from the offense, said that FIU cannot “mismanage” their opportunities against the Gamecocks.

“You can’t be careless with the ball. If you turn the ball over, that is one less possession. You may not get the ball again for a quarter, because they can go on a long drive and eat up 7-10 minutes of the clock. When you play a heavy run team, you have to make a huge point of emphasis to the offense to be opportunistic. You cannot turn the ball over and give them extra possessions.”

Key Players for FIU Panthers

In this game, there are multiple key players on both sides of the ball for FIU.

Offensively, the running backs and Jojo Stone are my main focuses for the Panthers. The Gamecocks have been better against the run as of late, but they have allowed 0.04 EPA/rush this season, which ranks them at 89th in the country. Additionally, they have allowed a 45.3-percent success rate to their opponents on the ground, good for a No. 122 ranking.

This plays into a key strength for the Panthers, who will likely look to lean on Kejon Owens and Anthony Carrie all throughout the game. Through 10 games this season, Owens has 1038 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 6.2 yards per attempt. Carrie has 409 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 4.9 yards per attempt. Both have made players miss, run through possible tacklers, and ripped off explosive plays at will.

To beat the Gamecocks, the Panthers will have to use the run game to churn out yardage and set up what has been a very effective passing attack. If Owens and Carrie keep rolling, the FIU should be in a great position on offense in this game.

Along with the running backs, Jojo Stone is a vital piece for the Panthers against Jacksonville State.

Used in a variety of different ways, Stone allows the FIU offense to exploit defenses in a way they were not able to previously. He can win vertically, is a threat in motion, and is lethal underneath and in the middle of the field. He has truly taken on a big role within the offense, and FIU likely does not win the past few weeks without his contributions.

Thanks to the rushing attack, the Panthers will likely have opportunities to win down the field and create chunk plays in the passing game. When those situations arise, FIU will need Stone, among others, to step up and keep the sticks moving for the offense. If he rises to the occasion, the Panthers will be in a very good spot once again.

Defensively, Shamir Sterlin and Jessiah McGrew are two key players for the Panthers.

Jacksonville State has one of the best running backs in college football in Cam Cook, who has rumbled for over 1200 yards this season. They also have a dynamic quarterback running game. Both Caden Creel and Gavin Wimsatt have run for at least four touchdowns and have averaged over 5.0 yards per carry.

Sterlin and McGrew were vital against the dynamic rushing attack for Liberty last week, and they will be called upon once again to produce against the Gamecocks. They have been two of the team’s best tacklers on the season, with both players having over 45 tackles and 10 run stops. They have great instincts, speed, and overall ability in the secondary.

FIU’s defense will need one of its best performances to knock off the Gamecocks this week. For that to happen, they will need their two young safeties to be some of the best players on the field. And based on previous performances, that is well within the range of outcomes for Sterlin and McGrew.

Key Players for Jacksonville State

For the Gamecocks, running back Cam Cook and safety Trevor Woods are worth highlighting.

A Doak Walker Award Semifinalist, Cook has posted 1299 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5.7 yards per attempt. He has 925 yards after contact, 82 missed tackles forced, and 42 yards of 10 yards or more. He has also posted 191 yards as a pass catcher on 22 receptions.

Jacksonville State is going to need Cook to, as he has all season, roll on the ground against the Panthers. FIU has a great rushing attack, a solid defense, and a playing style that mirrors the Gamecocks in multiple ways. The Panthers will want to force Jacksonville State into playing a style they are not used to, which would include a more up-tempo pace. To avoid that, Cook needs to go full “Takeover Mode” in this game. If he does that, the Gamecocks will be in a great position.

Defensively, Woods will be vital to the Gamecocks’ defense. The safety leads the team with 54 tackles, has three forced fumbles, and has seven defensive stops. Woods has also contributed in coverage at a high level, notching an interception, three pass breakups, and a PFF coverage grade of 76.7.

Against an FIU team that will want to establish a balanced offensive attack, the safety will need to continue to produce in every area of the game. If he fills his gaps and provides a nice level of coverage, Jacksonville State should have a nice baseline for its defense on Saturday.

Keys to Victory: FIU Panthers

To win the game, here are three of the main things that FIU needs to accomplish.

Sound Football Against the Run

If the Panthers stop the run, they will have a great shot to win this game. It will take a full effort to shut down Cam Cook and the Gamecocks’ quarterbacks on the ground. FIU has the talent to shut down rushing attacks like Jacksonville State, but only when they execute at a high level. That level of execution will heavily dictate what result FIU has on Saturday.

Test the Gamecocks’ Defense

Jacksonville State’s defense is very susceptible to getting beaten in a variety of ways. FIU’s offense has the talent to exploit the Gamecocks’ defense. If they establish a balanced offense and hit some big key plays, the Panthers will be in a great position to win this football game.

Smart Football, from Top to Bottom

To beat the best teams, a level of smart football is needed. The coaching needs to be crisp with key decisions or adjustments throughout the game. The offense needs to consistently move the ball, while the defense needs to limit key plays. Most importantly, the penalties and mistakes need to be avoided. If FIU can play this type of game, they should be in a very good position on Saturday.