FIU vs. Jacksonville State 2025 Recap: Panthers Bowl Bound with 27-21 Victory

In an eventful affair in Miami, the FIU Panthers emerged victorious over Jacksonville State by a score of 27-21. It was a great all-around performance from the Panthers, as different units stepped up when needed. And, the victory allows FIU to be bowl-eligible in the first year under new head coach Willie Simmons. It’s an impressive feat, and will look to continue riding that momentum going forward.

FIU Panthers vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks 2025 College Football Recap

Led by Kejon Owens and Alex Perry, the FIU offense ripped off big gains to help set up key scoring drives or get into the end zone themselves. Joe Pesansky, while not as dominant in previous weeks, did more than enough to help the Panthers win the game.

Defensively, the Panthers had multiple players step up and halt a dangerous Jax State offense. FIU saw its unit make big plays and help seal a very important conference victory.

Now, the Panthers are set for their first bowl under Willie Simmons and their first appearance in one since 2019. While they still have another game against Sam Houston, it is fair to say FIU’s 2025 season is already a giant success.

FIU’s Offense Steps Up When Needed

Early on, things were not easy for the FIU Panthers on offense.

Outside of an extremely effective touchdown drive in the first quarter, the Panthers ran into some difficulties with the Gamecocks’ defense. Quarterback Joe Pesansky was constantly under pressure, the coverage was sticky from the secondary, and the overall unit flew to the ball in the run game. Additionally, FIU made some critical mistakes. There were multiple turnovers forced on top of key penalties.

In the second half, though, the Panthers found a bit more footing as a unit, and it paid huge dividends.

On the first drive of the third quarter, Pesansky and Kejon Owens each had chunk runs to set the Panthers up just outside of the red zone. And after a completion to Kyle McNeal and a few more runs from the quarterback, FIU struck with the trick play. Sneaking Chad Staley into the flat, Pesansky hit the wide-open offensive lineman for the game-tying score.

FIU’s unit hit the skids for a few drives after the score, mainly due to an impressive forced fumble from Walker O’Steen and some untimely penalties. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers cut the Jacksonville State lead to 21-17, as Pesansky got the Panthers into field goal range with great throws to Alex Perry and Kyle McNeal.

It seemed that the FIU offense was going to need a big play or two to really swing the game. And after a key forced fumble from the defense, the Panthers did just that.

Two plays after the turnover, Pesansky hit Perry over the middle on a great throw, and the wideout did the rest. Sprinting away from the majority of the defense, Perry proceeded to carry a defender for five yards before leaping across the goal line for the touchdown. It was one of the best offensive plays of FIU’s season and a literal game-changer. The standout wideout’s score put the Panthers up 24-21.

The game shifted into a defensive struggle after Perry’s score, but FIU’s offense did help to add some more points to the board. Owens ripped off a 45-yard run to help eventually extend the lead to 27-21. The all-time single-season rushing yards leader for the Panthers sealed the game with two runs after another big defensive stand.

To call Saturday’s game a great offensive performance for FIU would be disingenuous. There were plenty of penalties that cost the Panthers points and turnovers that could have swung the game on its head. Without a stout defense and some impressive special teams, this game may have swung in the other direction.

It was a game that is a testament to the growth of the coaching staff and the players on the roster. FIU does not win this game early in the season. They would have likely folded under the lack of early game success. Now, this is a team that has embodied the mentality and mindset of Willie Simmons and his staff, which has culminated in the current run that the Panthers are on.

Head coach Willie Simmons, when asked about Alex Perry, called him “one of the more dominant receivers” in C-USA.

“For him to have that huge play there in the second half, it gave us a ton of momentum. It gave us the lead, and our defense really got behind this team when it happened. That’s the ability that Alex Perry has. He’s 6’5, 210 pounds, and he can run. He played some really good football in the month of November. I’m happy for him, he works his tail off, and I think that with continued development, Alex can be the next guy who plays this game in the NFL once his FIU career ends.”

After the victory over Jacksonville State, I asked FIU HC Willie Simmons about the play of WR Alex Perry and what he has meant to the offense. #FIU #CFB

— Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social) 2025-11-23T05:38:54.531Z

More so than their other games, this was a “culture win” for FIU. They did not have their fastball, but they were able to paint the edges and battle through their struggles to eventually find success. As this program progresses forward, they will certainly use this game as a foundation-setter, as it proved what the group is capable of against the toughest of C-USA opponents.

The Defense Delivers

FIU’s defense has been talked about frequently this season. And after their performance tonight, they deserve their flowers once again.

If you look at the counting stats and the yardage allowed in this game, you may be confused by that claim. The Panthers let up 449 total yards of offense, 251 of which came on the ground. Cam Cook, one of the best running backs in the country, notched 138 yards and a touchdown on 5.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Caden Creel not only ran for 100 yards on 5.3 yards per carry, but also threw for two touchdowns. From a bird’s eye view, one may be confused with how Jacksonville State was not more successful on offense.

The answer is pretty simple. The FIU defense bent, but did not break all game.

From wire to wire, the Panthers’ defense made big plays. On the first drive of the game, Josiah Taylor made two huge tackles for loss, while Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine had impressive third-down coverage. This forced a missed field goal that directly led to FIU’s first touchdown drive of the game.

In the early portion of the second quarter, FIU had a goal-line stand that culminated in Mister Clark and Jessiah McGrew performing a tackle that would have made Brock Rechsteiner’s father blush. They also forced another turnover on downs in the same quarter, thanks to a Josiah Taylor sack.

In the fourth quarter, the unit turned it up a notch. Dante Anderson made a huge play to force the fumble that would set up the go-ahead Alex Perry touchdown. He would later recover another fumble that was forced by, you guessed it, Josiah Taylor.

The unit would then proceed to counter every defensive stop made by Jacksonville State. FIU’s run defense was stout when needed, the coverage was lockdown, and the pressure was timely. Jacksonville State still gained yardage, but it was all empty. FIU did not allow them to do anything meaningful with it.

This culminated in the last drive of the game. After a huge Cam Cook reception, the Panthers’ defense bowed up to force their final turnover on downs. Two plays after a Kenton Simmons sack, Shamir Sterlin forced an incomplete pass. It was one of the more impressive plays of the game, and it all but sealed victory for the Panthers on Saturday.

From an overall sense, many of the same faces carried the unit.

McGrew was everywhere, providing great coverage and notching 10 total tackles. Sterlin was an all-around force, notching four tackles and two defensive stops while providing stout coverage. Taylor was a one-man wrecking crew in run defense, totaling six defensive stops by himself to go with his nine tackles and forced fumble.

After the game, Josiah Taylor spoke about how he has constantly improved game after game this season.

“Honestly, when it comes to improving, I make a mistake every game. I learn something new every game. When it comes to improving, my favorite part has been the experience of it. Being in the big-time games. I remember last year, when we were in those games, I really wanted to be a part of them. I work really hard to be a part of them now. The experience of being a part of winning a bowl game, sending the seniors out on a home win, and the experience of changing FIU for the better. The experience of all of it has been my favorite part of this.”

Just like the rushing attack, the FIU defense is arguably an integral foundation of the team’s success. Without the play of the unit improving week after week, it is unlikely that they would have reached a bowl this season. They have, in addition to the superstars standing out, developed the rest of the unit to a level where they are all playing in sync.

2026 NFL Draft Stock Watch: The Cook and Owens Show

Cam Cook, RB, Jacksonville State: The standout running back has top-tier burst, speed, and explosiveness at the position. He understands how to read blocks, make defenders miss, and generate explosive plays. He is also a smooth pass-catcher in space. Cook will light up the All-Star circuit, and his name is firmly circled as a running back that teams need to target for the 2026 NFL Draft, if he declares. If not, Cam Cook is going to be a household name by the end of 2026.

Kejon Owens, RB, FIU: Owens just continues to produce for FIU. He ran with power and precision on Saturday, creating tough yards to keep the chains moving for the Panthers. When he found daylight, Owens ripped off explosive plays with his trademark burst and smoothness. Willie Simmons continues to put Owens in a position to succeed, he takes full advantage of his opportunities. With a constantly improving passing attack alongside him, it’ll be exciting to see how many yards Owens can set the all-time FIU single-season record at. After that, it willbe time for a fun draft process for Owens.

Quote of the Day

“That was probably the first thing I heard when I took the job here. We have to get to a bowl game. I kept it close to the vest, but I know that is what Panther Nation wanted. They wanted a chance to get to a bowl game, and we accomplished that goal. We are not done, but it sets a great foundation for the future. Bowl games should now become the norm. Now it is about championships and building a championship-caliber program, so that this time next year we are in the hunt for a Conference USA Championship.” –HC Willie Simmons on making a bowl game in his first season with FIU. 

What’s Next

After the win over Jacksonville State, the FIU Panthers close out their 2025 regular season with a road matchup against Sam Houston. Then, for the first time in a long time, it is bowl season for the Panthers.