After a big win against Middle Tennessee, the FIU Panthers are sitting at four wins with three games left in the season. They have the talent to beat every team remaining on their schedule, but they need to execute and perform at a very high level.
Up first for FIU is Liberty. While not as talented as in past years, the Flames still have a very good rushing offense and a solid defense. It is also a team that FIU has not beaten. Saturday’s homecoming game should be a fun one, and without further ado, let us dive into this FIU vs. Liberty 2025 college football preview.
FIU Panthers vs. Liberty Flames: 2025 College Football Preview
Game History and Excerpts
In the history of both programs, FIU is still winless against Liberty.
Dating back to 2020, the Panthers are 0-3 against the Flames in three matchups. The first game was a close one, as the Panthers narrowly lost by a score of 36-34 on the road. Last season, FIU came up short again, losing on the road in overtime by a score of 31-24. Wide receivers Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson both had big games against Liberty, each recording over 90 yards.
At his media availability, head coach Willie Simmons spoke about the team’s quarterback situation, saying that quarterback Keyone Jenkins is still battling his injury, and that Joe Pesansky is taking “the majority” of the first team reps.
“We’ll play it right up until game time, but both guys are preparing as if they’re going to play. We’ll make a decision as we get closer on who gives us the best chance to win.”
Simmons added this:“We’ll play it right up until game time, but both guys preparing as if they're going to play. We’ll make a decision as we get closer on who gives us the best chance to win.
— Brandyn Pokrass (@brandyn-pokrass.bsky.social) 2025-11-11T19:31:49.253Z
Key Players for FIU Panthers
On offense this week, the focus is on wide receiver Jojo Stone and quarterback Joe Pesansky.
Stone, a Louisville transfer, has 202 yards and two touchdowns on 15 receptions. However, Stone has started to emerge as one of FIU’s main weapons over the past few weeks. He has had at least 30 yards in the past three games and two touchdowns in the last two games. He has also contributed as a runner, on fake punts, and even as a passer.
To win in this game against Liberty, the Panthers are going to have to rely on Stone being a dynamic offensive threat. He is a great route runner, explosive down the field, and extremely dynamic in space as a ball carrier. Stone can be a matchup nightmare in this game. If he gets the necessary touches, he can potentially swing this game in the direction of the Panthers.
As for Pesansky, he is key due to the uncertainty of Keyone Jenkins’s injury. If Jenkins gets the start, this section applies to him as well.
Liberty has been an average defense for the majority of 2025. However, they have had more success against the run than the pass in recent weeks. As a result, the Panthers will need Pesansky (or Jenkins) to continue to push the ball down the field and keep the opposing defense honest.
Both quarterbacks have the capability to make the FIU offense balanced, but they just need to be decisive and aggressive in pulling the trigger. Pesansky did that against Middle Tennessee, notching 253 yards and four touchdowns on an ADOT of 14.0 and with four big-time throws. Meanwhile, Jenkins has also shown flashes of being able to hit the deeper throws down the field.
The passing game will dictate a lot of things for the Panthers, both on the good and bad sides of things. And if the Panthers can build upon their breakout performance last week, it could be another great week for FIU.
Defensively, the focus is on the collective defensive line and linebacker units.
Liberty’s rushing offense has been the backbone of their unit, led by Ethan Vasko and Evan Dickens. Dickens, a running back, has rolled to the tune of 735 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He has 426 yards after contact and 21 missed tackles forced. Vasko, the Flames’ quarterback, has 307 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
As a result, the Panthers will be challenged on the ground in a way they have not all season. Johnny Chaney Jr., Percy Courtney Jr., and Josiah Taylor need to play fast and fly around the field making plays. Players like Xion Chapman, Kenton Simmons, and many more players on the defensive line need to cave in rushing lanes and allow the linebackers to fly to the ball.
FIU has been able to play very well against talented offenses, especially if they execute at a high level. If they can do that on Saturday, they should be able to compete against the Liberty offense all day.
Key Players for Liberty Flames
For Liberty, worth highlighting is the aforementioned quarterback, Ethan Vasko, and the overall pass rush.
Vasko has been a highly effective runner for the Flames this season. However, the passing game has been a bit of a struggle. Vasko only has eight touchdowns compared to six interceptions on the season.
To beat FIU, Vasko is going to have to play one of his best games as a passer. He will need to be decisive, accurate, and on time against a very talented Panthers’ defense. If he cannot live up to that billing as a passer, allowing FIU to key in on the run game, it may be a long day for the Flames.
Defensively, Liberty needs to find a way to get after the Panthers’ passing attack. The Flames have had some players with solid pass-rushing production, with CJ Bazile Jr. leading the way with four sacks. However, the overall unit has not exactly been dominant in 2025, as they have been very up and down throughout their first nine games of the season.
While stopping the FIU rushing attack is important, getting pressure on either Joe Pesansky or Keyone Jenkins is paramount. If they cannot do so, FIU may be in store for another big-time day through the air.
Keys to Victory: FIU Panthers
Build Upon Passing Success
FIU’s foundation on offense is the run game, but last week’s success in the passing game was very important. Pushing the ball down the field with success, the Panthers were able to roll in the run game in the late stages to close things out. This week against Liberty, FIU needs to build upon its previous success and find some consistency with the passing game. Not only will this help their overall offensive production, but it will also allow the rushing attack to potentially be even more successful.
Fly to the Football
The defense for FIU is at its best when it plays fast and physical. When they do not succeed, they are hesitant and do not execute at a high level. Against a dynamic Liberty rushing attack, the Panthers’ defense needs to be at its best, both from a physicality and execution perspective. That, first and foremost, starts with flying to the football.
Play Smart
FIU has gotten run off the field when they make unnecessary mistakes and do not play smart football. In short, they cannot get overzealous in this big game against Liberty. The main focus needs to be on playing a clean and smart game on both sides of the ball; everything else after that is extra.
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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.