FIU Dominates Bethune-Cookman

The Willie Simmons era of FIU football kicked off Friday with many fans excited for the new season but would have to wait a little longer with the game delayed 75 minutes due to weather. The Panthers start the 2025 campaign welcoming Bethune-Cookman to Pitbull Stadium. This was marked as a game FIU was expected to win but curiosity filed the air of what this team was going to look like. Well, they showed up and balled out in front of FIU alumni Jonnu Smith and new president Jeanette Nunez.

QB Keyone Jenkins and RB Kejon Owens each ran for two touchdowns on the night. Many were critical of Jenkins his freshman year but impressed in his first game of his sophomore campaign. Owens would rush for a two-yard score to open the scoring, he would have 71 yards on 11 attempts. In just the second quarter alone the Panthers would score 21 points. It began with a 16-yard run by Owens making it his second touchdown. Jenkins would also have a six-yard scramble for the touchdown as well as Devonte Lyons running for 35 yards making the game 28-3.

Jenkins would also score a keeper finishing with three yards on five carries. He would also go 18 for 31 passing for 187 yards. In the final quarter of play it would be Anthony Carrie tying a school record of six rushing touchdowns. The Panthers had lost four straight to Bethune-Cookman in previous meetings before this matchup. Juan Dominguez went three-for-three on field goals for Bethune-Cookman hitting from the 35, 22, and 28 yards.

The Wildcats offense struggled to get into the red zone all night long with Timmy McClain going 18 for 28 and had 164 yards. The Willie Simmons era at FIU begins with a dominant 42-9 victory over Bethune-Cookman with a real test on the road next week.

Up next for the FIU Panthers is a road game visiting #2 ranked Penn State.

Written by: Daniel Torres

FIU Dominates Bethune-Cookman