The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

[Deuce2223]

49ER'S SNAP WIN STREAK!!

Charlotte 49ers at Florida International Golden Panthers
Oct 25, 2025	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Charlotte 49ers ((4-3))	10	14	14	7	45
Florida International Golden Panthers ((5-1))	7	7	7	7	28

Team Stats Comparison
	CHAR	FIU
Total Offense	404	371
Rushing Yards	93	29
Passing Yards	311	305
First Downs	18	15
Punt Return Yards	15	0
Kick Return Yards	82	105
Total Yards	501	476
Turnovers	0	0
3rd Down Conversion	8-12	9-15
4th Down Conversion		1-2
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	3-0-75%	2-0-50%
Penalties	5-35	4-45
Possession Time	30:30	29:30

GAME RECAP

The Charlotte Defense came to play and JR QB Max Brown (79 Ovr) won the head to head QB battle with "KJ" as the 49er's snap the Panthers 4 game winning streak.

A late FG by the 49er's gave them the (10-7) lead in the 1st Quarter and a late touchdown by Brown with 48 seconds to play in the half gave Charlotte the (24-14) lead.

Charlotte opened up the 2nd half with the ball and Brown went right back to work hitting JR WR Isaih Myers (78 Ovr) with a 70 yd bomb to extend the lead to (31-14).

Coach Miller

Quote:

"Giving up big chunk plays and touchdowns has been a weakness of our Defense all season. You never want to have doubt you can't comeback from a deficit but I knew at that point our team had given up"

A forced punt would give the away team the ball back and Brown went right back to work slinging it as the JR QB threw his 5th TD of the day hitting Myers for another score (38-14).

FIU would battle back though as Jenkins finds JuJu Lewis on a nice 42 yd gain before connecting with True Freshman Faitele Okwara on a 27 yd TD to make it (38-21).

The Panthers would pull within 10 points early in the 4th as Jenkins throws his 4th TD of the day connecting with Okwara again (14 yds) to make it (38-28). The touchdown reception gives the Freshman the team lead with (6) on the season.

Coach Miller

Quote:

"We have been really impress with Faitele these past 2 weeks.. He has really stepped up giving KJ another weapon in the passing game" Leading by 10, Charlotte would turn to their grond game as JR RB Terron Kellman (85 Ovr) breaks off a 23 yd run for the score to make it (45-28). FIU however would turn the ball over on downs as the 49er's run out the clock. Brown finished the day 21/29 (72%) for 311 yds with the 5 TD's. KEY PANTHERS QB K. Jenkins-23/39 (58%) 305 yds 4 TD RB- S. Lawrence-7 carries 23 yds (3.3 avg), 1 rec 11 yds RB- T. Snowden 2 carries 6 yds (3.0 avg) WR Juju Lewis-8 rec 130 yds 2 TD WR F. Okwara-6 rec 91 yds 2 TD WR K. McNeal-3 rece 37 yds TE R. Beers-3 rec 21 yds TE W. Gutierrez-1 rec 11 yds CB B. Blades II- Team high 9 Tackles UP NEXT FIU will look for win #6 and Bowl eligibility as they host (3-5) East Carolina in Week 10. The Pirates after starting the year (0-3) are starting to play some solid football winning 3 of their past 5.. ECU will be coming off a "Bye" Week in Week 9

[Deuce2223]

PIRATES PULL OFF OVERTIME VICTORY!!!

East Carolina Pirates at Florida International Golden Panthers
Nov 2, 2025	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
East Carolina Pirates ((3-5))	14	0	0	14	13	41
Florida International Golden Panthers ((5-2))	7	6	8	7	10	38

Team Stats Comparison
	ECU	FIU
Total Offense	325	493
Rushing Yards	36	75
Passing Yards	284	413
First Downs	16	25
Punt Return Yards	23	14
Kick Return Yards	64	51
Total Yards	412	558
Turnovers	1	4
3rd Down Conversion	3-9	11-17
4th Down Conversion		1-1
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	4-0-80%	1-3-57%
Penalties	8-90	5-45
Possession Time	38:14	36:46

GAME RECAP

Turnovers lead to Pirates comeback and eventual win..

ECU took a (14-7) lead in the 1st Quarter as JR QB Katin Houser (82 Ovr) throws a pair of 35 yd TD's (D. Riles and B. Spalding) but the Panthers would battle back making it (14-13) at the half as FR Issac Glennon connects on a pair of FG's..

FIU opened up the 2nd half with the ball and quicky drove the 80 yds ending it with a 29 yd TD pass from Jenkings to Kyle McNeal. Coach Miller would leave the offense on the field as KJ keeps the ball himself diving in for the 2pt conversion to make it (21-14). A pair of fumbles killed 2 scoring opportunities for FIU, but the Panther "D" comes up their own turnover as SO CB Preston Thompson picks off Hauser.

Still leading going into the 4th, ECU ties the game up as Hauser hits SR WR Jacob Gill (79 Ovr) on a 17 yd scoring strike (21-21). FIU would answer back though as "KJ" hits Faitele Okwara for his team leading 7th TD of the season (28 yds) to make it (28-21). FIU would hold the Pirates forcing a punt but facing a 3rd and 4 of their own Jenkins drops back to pass throwing a INT to SR CB Dontavius Nash (82 Ovr) for the Panthers 3rd turnover of the game.

Hauser makes quick work of the Panther D as he hits JR WR Chase Howell (82 Ovr) for a 19 yd score to give him his 4th passing TD on the day.

Tied (28-28) FIU had a chance to win the game in regulation as Freshman Issac Glennon would attempt a 52 yd FG that ends up falling just short as the game goes to Overtime

Coach Miller

Quote:

"We knew going into the kick that Glennon season best was from 49 yds, but he also was 16/17 going into that kick with his only other miss coming from outside 50, so we knew that it was probably a 50/50 chance, but why not give it a try. I still have faith he can make one from 50+"

After both team settled for FG's in the opening drives of Overtime, ECU would take the lead with a 5 yd TD run by Hauser to make it (38-31) but FIU would tie the game once again as WR Kyle McNeal takes in a Jet Sweep from 3 yds out to make it (38-38).

FIU hoping to put the game away with a score instead did the opposite as Nash picks off Jenkins for his 2nd INT of the game which ends up being the game winner as ECU comes out and knocks down the FG for the win.

Coach Miller

Quote:

"It was another tough day running the ball. When we are only getting 2.9 yds per carry it put us in to many 3rd and 5 and 3rd and 6 situations and when your forced to throw almost 50 times mistakes happen.. We just need to go back to the drawing board and figure some things out"

Houser finished the day 24/37 (64%) for 284 yds with 4 TD and 1 INT passing and the rushing TD as he takes Player of the Game honors.

KEY PANTHERS

QB K. Jenkins-31/49 (63%) 413 yds 3 TD 2 INT, 24 yds rushing,1 Fumble
RB S. Lawrence-15 carries 44 yds (2.9 avg), 3 rec 42 yds
RB T. Snowden-5 carries 9 yds (1.8 avg), 1 Fumble
WR K. McNeal-1 carry 3 yds 1 TD, 9 rec 153 yds 1 TD
WR F. Okwara-4 rec 55 yds 1 TD
WR Juju Lewis-3 rec 37 yds
TE Rocky Beers-10 rec 118 yds 1 TD


UP NEXT

The quest for win #6 won't get any easier as FIU will host #23 (8-1) Liberty in the final home game of this 5 game stretch. The Good news for the Panthers is they still have 1 more home game in Week 13 hosting James Madison who is currently (0-8), so the odds are good they could still get a Bowl game this season...

RECRUITING UPDATE

With back to back loss's at home with several potential recruits on the sidelines, FIU goes back to back weeks without a commitment, well also losing their last chance at a 3rd 4* Recruit this season a 4* WR Manny Forsett (#34 Overall/#4 FL/#5 WR) signs with Clemson.

Coach Miller

Quote:

"We knew landing Forsett would be a huge steal for the program. Well 247 has him listed as a 4*, several other recruiting services have him as a 5*. So to finish #2 behind Clemson we felt like was still something we could build on."

[xboxxerx]

Tough stretch these last couple of games. Let's regroup, and shock the world, and walk away with a tough fought W against Liberty.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

[redsox907]

what xboxxer said, tough stretch. Charlotte always seems to play hard. I lost to them in a natty with a south carolina dynasty despite having a 15 ovr point advantage on them smh

Got faith coach Miller can crack the code and get back in the win column

[tobin834]

Moving right through the season. I was away for a week or so and came back to this, excellent stuff. Love your writeups too, simple and to the point. I try and make mine that, but you add the stats in afterwards without the table stuff. To each their own but those tables drive me nuts if I accidentally hit refresh haha. Got me thinking.. good work so far.

[Deuce2223]

PANTHERS STILL SEARCHING

Liberty Flames at Florida International Golden Panthers
Nov 8, 2025	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#19 Liberty Flames ((8-1))	7	0	7	21	35
Florida International Golden Panthers ((5-3))	7	10	6	0	23

Team Stats Comparison
	LIB	FIU
Total Offense	331	369
Rushing Yards	41	77
Passing Yards	273	282
First Downs	7	17
Punt Return Yards	38	26
Kick Return Yards	24	91
Total Yards	393	486
Turnovers	0	1
3rd Down Conversion	2-9	4-16
4th Down Conversion		3-3
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-50%	2-1-100%
Penalties	7-72	4-35
Possession Time	21:32	38:28

GAME RECAP

The FIU Panthers are still searching for answers. After a (5-1) start the Panthers have no dropped 3 straight games at home dropping to (5-4) on the season with 3 games left to play.

Looking at the stats column you have to ask how did FIU lose? They won the TOP Battle, they had more yards both rushing and passing, they even went a perfect 3 for 3 on 4th down conversions, but at the end of the game the scoreboard read (35-23)..

Tied (7-7) at the 2nd of the 1st Quarter, FIU took at (17-7) lead into the locker room as Keyone Jenkins throws his 2nd TD of the day hitting SR TE Rocky Beers on a 21 yd strike with under 30 seconds to play in the half, leaving the Flames to just kneel off the remaining time.

FIU would extend the lead to (20-7) on the opening drive as FR Issac Glennon connects on a 33 yd FG, then later in the 3rd, Coach Miller would send out Glennon again after a failed 3rd and 2 run, and Glennon delivers with a 45 yd boot that had some mustard left on it. (23-7).

Coach Miller

Quote:

"I think the ball went 60 yards... I know this kid is going to hit a big one for us before his career is done"

Liberty however wasn't going down without a fight and QB Kaidon Salter (96 Ovr) was about to show why his name is still among the Top-5 discussion for the Heisman.

Salter starts with a 75 yd bomb to SR Reese Smith (78 Ovr) to make it (23-14).. Then after forcing a FIU punt, Salter and Smith hook up for TD #2 (23 yds) to cut the lead to (23-21) early in the 4th. Another forced punt by the Flames would give Liberty the lead (28-23) midway through the 4th Quarter as WR Victor Jones Jr (77 Ovr) takes a Jet Sweep 10 yds for the score.

FIU needing a touchdown would drive the ball 80 yds on 8 plays but play #9 a 12 yd TD pass intended for Kyle McNeal is tipped and drops in the hands of FR CB Ronald Moore JR (79) as Liberty takes over at the 20 yd line with 2:28 to play in the game.

Despite having the 5 point lead, Liberty didn't just try and run out the clock. Salter and Smith were not done as the duo hooks up for another score giving them the hat trick and the 12 point lead with just 22 seconds to play.

Coach Miller

Quote:

"I know some of our fans and even some of our players were not happy with Liberty scoring that final touchdown, but I have to be honest, I am a big believer in playing your game until the final seconds are off the clock. Our Defense played the run great all game so much that Salter only ran 3 times and gained just 6 yds, so I can't fault him for throwing the ball. Our Pass Defense has been pretty weak all season and it's something that will need to change before the end of the season or we will need to make a change"

Salter ends the day 14/22 (63%) for 273 yds and the 3 TD's. Smith led the Flames with 4 rec for 155 yds and the 3 TD's

KEY PANTHERS

QB K. Jenkins-25/40 (62%) 282 yds 2 TD 1 INT (not really his fault), 41 yds rushing
RB S. Lawrence-13 carries 40 yds, 2 rec 19 yds
RB TJ Snowden-3 carries 9 yds
WR K. McNeal-6 rec 98 yds
WR F. Okwara-5 rec 55 yds
WR Juju Lewis-3 rec 11 yds
TE R. Beers-9 rec 99 yds 1 TD

UP NEXT

FIU still searching for that 6th win and bowl elgibility after a 5 game homestand will hit the road to Virginia to take on Old Dominion. The Monarchs are (2-7) this year Overall and are just (1-6) in CUSA play with their last victory coming back in Week 4 against James Madison.

[Deuce2223]

PANTHERS GOING BOWLING!!!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at Old Dominion Monarchs
Nov 15, 2025	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Florida International Golden Panthers ((5-4))	0	7	3	7	17
Old Dominion Monarchs ((2-7))	0	7	0	7	14

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	OD
Total Offense	223	392
Rushing Yards	32	98
Passing Yards	186	288
First Downs	7	18
Punt Return Yards	47	32
Kick Return Yards	47	23
Total Yards	317	447
Turnovers	0	2
3rd Down Conversion	1-10	8-15
4th Down Conversion
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-50%	1-0-100%
Penalties	6-47	9-65
Possession Time	23:26	36:34

GAME RECAP

With 2 key turnovers, FIU is able to snap their 3 game losing streak well extending Old Dominions to 6 straight games in a low scoring affair.

Still scoreless as we enter the 2nd Quarter both teams manage to find the endzone as Keyone Jenkins strikes first hitting Kyle McNeal on a 36 yd score to make it (7-0) but then the Monarchs answer back as SO QB Colton Joseph (79) hits SR WR Kelby Williams (76) on a 47 yd score to tie the game (7-7) at the half.

FIU would take the lead (10-7) on the opening drive of the 2nd half as Issac Glennon drill a 42 yd FG. The kick was his 20th of the season out of 22 attempts (both misses were over 50 yds) as several fans have started a petition to get him added to the Lou Groza Award watch list.

Old Dominion would answer the score with their own 80 yd 11 play drive but Joseph's pass intended for Williams in the endzone is picked off by SO SS Dominick Mays.

It was FIU's turn to go 80 yds for their score but they didn't need 11 plays to do it as KJ hits Juju Lewis on a 23 yd strike 5 plays later to give FIU the (17-7) lead as we head to the 4th.

After a forced punt FIU had a chance to extend the lead but Glennon for the first time all season would miss a kick inside 40 yds as his 39 yd attempt hits the upright.

The Monarchs with a breath of fresh life would use 9 plays ending with a 9 yd TD run by SR Tariq Sims (72 Ovr) to make it (17-14) with just over 4 minutes to play.

It looked like the Monarchs were going to get their chance with 2:12 to play Coach Miller sends out the punt team for a 7th time as FR Louis Myers connects on his best punt of the day kicking it 60 yds downing the ball inside the 20 at the 11 yd line.

Still armed with 3 timeouts Joseph would complete his fist 2 pass's picking up 21 yds but on his 3rd pass JR OLB Percy Courtney Jr comes up with a huge INT which in turns ends up being the game winning play as FIU turns to the ground game to run out the clock..

Joseph finished the game 27/36 (75%) for 288 yds with 1 TD and the 2 INT

Coach Miller "Colton Joseph played a great game minus 2 throws. You feel bad for that it ended like that but at the same time we needed this win. They got alot of Seniors on their team so honestly I am going to be pulling for them to win when they host Marshall. It would be nice for those guy's to end their season on a positive note"

KEY PANTHERS

QB K.Jenkins-12/20 (63%) 186 yds 2 TD, 11 yds rushing
RB S. Lawerence-10 carries 17 yds (1.7 avg)
RB TJ Snowden-4 carries 7 yds (1.8 avg)
WR K. McNeal-7 rec 120 yds 1 TD
WR Juju Lewis-2 rec 32 yds 1 TD
WR F. Okwara-3 rec 31 yds

UP NEXT

It's Senior Day as FIU returns home to Pitbull Stadium for their final home game of the season vs (1-9) James Madision.

The Dukes snapped their 8 game losing streak in Week 12 with a (34-26) win over East Carolina.

[Deuce2223]

PANTHER SENIORS GO OUT WINNERS

James Madison Dukes at Florida International Golden Panthers
Nov 15, 2025	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
James Madison Dukes ((1-9))	17	10	0	11	38
Florida International Golden Panthers ((6-4))	14	17	7	14	52

Team Stats Comparison
	JMU	FIU
Total Offense	288	695
Rushing Yards	115	261
Passing Yards	167	414
First Downs	13	42
Punt Return Yards	18	38
Kick Return Yards	236	121
Total Yards	542	834
Turnovers	2	3
3rd Down Conversion	1-12	9-17
4th Down Conversion	0-1
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-1-33%	7-1-100%
Penalties	1-15	3-20
Possession Time	19:13	20:45

GAME RECAP

Today was Senior Day, as Coach Miller sticking with a tradition that started in Boise that he brought with him to Miami is all Seniors get to start their final game if possible. With only 9 Seniors on the roster, today was a easy day to make that happen, especially being how 8 of them have started all season.

For a squad who had 1 only 1 game all season, the Dukes came into this one looking to play spoiler and they did a pretty good job of it.

FIU opened up taking a (14-0) lead behind a pair of rushing touchdowns from SR RB Shomari Lawrence but James Madison battled back as the Duke Defense picks off Keyone Jenkins twice turning one of them into a "Pick 6" as JR CB justin Eaglin takes it back 59 yds for the score to give the Dukes the (17-14) lead in the 1st Quarter.

Jenkins would rebound from his early INT's though as he leads 2 scoring drives completed by a pair of touchdowns to True Freshman Faitele Okwara (17 yds and 9 yds) to give FIU the (28-27) lead with 1:31 to play. The FIU "D" woudl force a quick 3 and out with the offense taking over with 28 seconds to play, Jenkins would get SR TE Rocky Beers on a 25 yd gain to set up a Glennon 38 yd FG as time expires making it (31-27) at the half.

FR SS Sadonnie Gay would open up the 2nd half picking off Duke QB JC Evans (FR/71 Ovr), and Jenkins would waste little time putting the Panthers in the endzone as he hits Kyle McNeal on a 31 yd scoring strike as FIU extends their lead to (38-27).

James Madison already with 2 FG's on the day including a 55 yarder by SR Noe Ruelas, would roll out Ruelas for another 50 yd attempt but the kick sails wide left leaving the game (38-27). This miss would comeback to haunt the Dukes later in the game as Jenkins throws INT #3 leading to Evans to JR WR Yamir Knight 41 yd score that made it (38-33). The Dukes would leave the offense on the field and Evans would convert the 2pt play making it (38-35) as we head to the 4th.

Ruelas however would get some redemption as he drill a 42 yd FG to tie the game with 7 minutes to play (35-35).

Coach Miller knew he wanted to limit the Dukes chances over the final 7 minutes giving the Duke Defense a healty dose of RB Shomari Lawrence and the Senior delivered as he breaks his longest run of the season taking it 43 yds to the house to put FIU up (42-35).

James Madison however wasn't going down without a fight, as Freshman JC Evans leads the charge. Evans a Miami native had his entire family in the stands for the game and you could tell he was fueled by it as he completes 3 straight pass's to push the Dukes into FG range but down 7, they need a TD. So Evans drops back trying to hit fellow FR TE Kevin Crouse over the middle, but SO CB Preston Thompson was ready as he jumps the route coming up with the INT..

Again sticking with his game plan the FIU offense would then reel off 12 straight runs including a touchdown run by TJ Snowden as FIU takes the 2 score lead.

Evans had one final chance but the Dukes would turn the ball over on downs.

Evans finished the game completing 21/29 pass's (72%) for 167 yds with the 2 TD and 2 INT., he also had 59 yds rushing on 11 carries including a 28 yd long.

KEY PANTHERS

QB K. Jenkins-25/46 (54%) 414 yds 3 TD 3 INT, 13 carries 43 yds (sacked 5 times)
RB S. Lawrence-34 carries 181 yds 3 TD
RB TJ Snowden-9 carries 37 yds 1 TD
WR K. McNeal-8 rec 168 yds 1 TD
WR F. Okwara-6 rec 77 yds 2 TD
WR JJ Lewis-3 rec 43 yds
TE R. Beers-6 rec 100 yds
TE W. Gutierrez-1 rec 30 yds
CB P. Thompson-10 Tackles 1 INT
SS S. Gay-1 INT
OLB J. Taylor-2.5 sacks


UP NEXT

FIU now (7-4) on the season will look to close out the regular season with hopefully win #8 as they take on (6-5) Coastal Carolina on the road.

FIU is currently projected to play in the New Orleans Bowl against a SunBelt Opponent but the Sun Belt could be short on qualified teams as its currently not listing a opponent.