Season Opener Highlights
The FIU Panthers opened their 25th football season with a 19-9 loss to the South Florida Bulls, a non‑conference matchup that exposed early vulnerabilities and set a rocky tone for the campaign.
Quarterback JJ Kohl delivered a career‑high 301 yards on 31 completions of 50 attempts, throwing a touchdown that briefly gave the Panthers a lead before a field goal trimmed the deficit to three points with fifteen minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Receiver Maguire Anderson made eight catches for 87 yards, establishing a career high in receptions, while running back James Resar scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 21‑yard drive as time expired.
Defensively, the Panthers limited the Bulls to just 208 total yards, the lowest amount they have surrendered since a 207‑yard performance on October 22, 2024, with DeAndre Boykins leading the front with nine tackles and Deejay Holmes recording his first career sack.
Two fourth‑quarter turnovers by FIU directly handed South Florida ten points, underscoring the need for greater ball security as the program enters its 25th year under head coach Willie Simmons.
Beyond the box score, the season marks a milestone for the Panthers, who have captured six Shula Bowl victories and produced NFL talents such as Pro Bowlers T.Y. Hilton and Jonnu Smith, while the coaching staff prepares to celebrate the program’s rich legacy of legendary coaches and players.