FIU Ends Memorable Season With Loss In First Responder Bowl

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This was not the storybook ending any fan of FIU Football was wanting for the 2025 season, but it’s the reality.

Yes, FIU got smoked by UTSA in the First Responder Bowl by a score of 57-20. It had a promising start with 14-straight points scored by the Panthers. Just when you thought it would be a blowout W for the good guys, UTSA flipped a switch. They scored 38 unanswered points as their quarterback, Owen McCown, did anything he wanted to do on offense.

Even when the Panthers finally found momentum with a touchdown of their own, it backfired. Their two-point conversion attempt was intercepted and taken to the other end zone by the Roadrunners for two points to UTSA. Nothing went right in the second half, plain and simple.

Mama, there goes that man⚡️⚡️#210TriangleOfToughness | #210wned

pic.twitter.com/92rUCeV7ku

— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) December 27, 2025

We were wondering who would be the QB for FIU entering the game. After all, both Joe Pesansky and Keyone Jenkins were battling with injuries. In the end, it was Pesansky, but he also happened to have his worst start as a Panther in the process. By the time FIU subbed in Jenkins in the second half, it was too late.

Don’t Let This Fool You

I won’t spend too much time delving into how the Roadrunners beat up the Panthers. Just remember the list of players on defense for FIU that didn’t play in this game because they opted out of playing it – Brian Blades II, Mister Clark, Victor Evans, Jessiah McGrew, and others.

Yeah, their absence was certainly felt. In total, they recorded 481 total yards and, during the first half, scored on five-straight drives.

McAttack ™️

📺@espn #210TriangleOfToughness | #210wned pic.twitter.com/CLUKBjS6Te

— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) December 27, 2025

On offense, the Panthers weren’t clicking. Joe was off, and the offensive line (which was also missing key players) didn’t give him much time to breathe. The running game wasn’t utilized as much as I thought it would, with eight carries for Kejon Owens and 79 total rushing yards to show for it.

The Panthers were in a hole so deep that they had to go for it on fourth down early and were ultimately unsuccessful. In their 10 attempts to end drives on fourth down, they only succeeded once.

Plain and simple, everything was going right for the Roadrunners after being down 14-0. Even when committing 11 penalties – almost triple the amount FIU committed – it was all for not.

Reflect And Prepare For 2026

That’s all you’re getting about the First Responder Bowl. This one game shouldn’t take away from what was a remarkable season for this young FIU program, which was dying for success. In year one of the Willie Simmons era, they got it in spades.

This was a program that entered this season with three-straight 4-8 seasons under its belt. The FIU faithful were begging for multiple things – a win over their rivals, success on the road, and marquee wins that can be remembered for a while. Somehow, the 2025 iteration of the Panthers delivered on all those fronts.

FIU slammed Florida Atlantic at Pitbull Stadium and reclaimed the Shula Bowl trophy for the first time since 2016.

The Panthers won half of their road games this season, with all of them by a 19-point differential or more, snapping a couple of losing streaks in the process.

Lastly, FIU defeated the top team in Conference USA TWICE in one season – against Western Kentucky in October and Jax State in November.

“The expectation of excellence was started back last December when we got here, and that’s going to always continue to be what we’re about,” said Coach Simmons postgame. “Just doing little things right on the field, off the field, our commitment to excellence, growing closer to brotherhood. Those are things that we’ll continue to build upon. And this is one of the closest teams I’ve ever been a part of.”

A Close To The 2025 Season

So was this loss to UTSA a disappointing end to the season? Yes, but FIU still went above expectations for a new regime taking over a program in near-disarray.

Now, a benchmark has been set for 2026. Expectations have risen, and getting back to a bowl game is the minimum. FIU might be able to build a team that can compete for a spot in the Conference USA Championship game, and who knows after that?

Super proud of this team! Not many people thought we’d even be bowling year 1, but the young men in that locker room defied odds all year long to get us there. Definitely not the ending we wanted, but it doesn’t diminish all that this team has accomplished! The bar has been set…

— Coach Willie Simmons (@HCWillieSimmons) December 27, 2025

For now, we’ll have to wait. Players are heading to the transfer portal. The Panthers will look to add new talent through that same portal. The cycle will continue, and we’ll soon get ready for Spring Practices, the Spring Game, and more. But still, don’t forget what fun this season truly was for FIU.

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