Football faces Monmouth Hawks for homecoming week

Adrian Benitez | Staff Writer

Two people will be honored as homecoming king and queen this Saturday, but only one team can be crowned the winner of the football game. 

The FIU football team plays its homecoming game against the Monmouth Hawks on Saturday, Sep. 21, 2024, in Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida. 

In their previous matchup, the Panthers played in the 21st Shula Bowl rivalry game against the Florida Atlantic Owls and took a 38-20 loss. The offense stalled out through most of the game and the defense was put in many bad situations.

Vs. FAU

After an inclement weather delay, the game kicked off at 7:42 p.m. 

The FIU offense put the heat on right away, marching 64 yards in three plays. Junior wide receiver Eric Rivers caught a 32-yard touchdown pass to top the drive off, giving the Panthers the lead. 

After some defensive stops, FIU’s special team blocked an FAU punt. This gave the Panthers offense a drive starting from the red zone. However, two offensive penalties and a 4-yard loss forced a field goal attempt, which sailed wide right.

After more punts, FIU turned it over after sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins fumbled the ball. FAU recovered it and got their own drive starting in the red zone. 

FAU capitalized with a touchdown from junior running back Zuberi Mobley, tying the game 7-7.

In the second quarter, FAU took the lead when Mobley sprang a 72-yard touchdown run. The rush was a career long for Mobley. 

Now down 14-7, the situation wasn’t helped when Jenkins threw a ball into triple coverage which was picked off by senior defensive back Daedae Hill. FIU’s defense would make a crucial stand in their own territory, holding the Owls to a field goal. 

Right when FIU was about to get a drive going, Jenkins was intercepted again after another ill-advised pass. Junior defensive back Phillip Dunnam nearly ran it all the way back, but tripped at the 11-yard line.

The Owls would open the drive with two straight offensive penalties pushing them back 20 yards. They would attempt a field goal, which was blocked, once again bailing out an offensive miscue from the Panthers.

Despite the defensive effort, the offensive futility continued with a fumble from junior wide receiver Dean Patterson, recovered by FAU. It was the Panthers’ third consecutive turnover. 

Things continued to unravel for FIU when junior defensive back JoJo Evans was ejected for targeting on the ensuing drive. Soon after, Mobley made it a hat trick when he scored his third touchdown of the game. The score stood at 24-7 FAU.

FAU’s offense opened the half on offense and methodically moved down the field. After consuming over seven minutes of the clock, junior quarterback Cam Fancher got the ball in the endzone on a 12-yard touchdown run. The score was now 31-7 FAU.

FIU would turn the ball over yet again after failing to convert a 4th and 5 on their own 30. FAU quickly capitalized on yet another drive starting in opposing territory with a touchdown from junior wide receiver CJ Campbell Jr., making the score 38-7. 

The Panthers would close the third quarter on a high note with a 26-yard touchdown reception by Patterson.

They got another touchdown in the fourth quarter, a 16-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver JuJu Lewis. The score was 38-20 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion.

Despite the scores, the Panthers’ final drive of the night was a fitting end: Jenkins being intercepted for a third time on the very first play. Senior defensive back Kahzir Brown made the pick.

FAU would bleed the clock out to end the game with a final score of 38-20.

Simply put, the offensive performance was disastrous. Jenkins’ three interceptions are the most he’s ever thrown in a single game. Despite his 281 yards and three touchdowns, his four turnovers make him particularly culpable in the loss.

The defense was thrust into many sticky situations throughout the night, having to contend with four FAU drives starting in opposing territory. Given the circumstances, only allowing 17 combined points in these four drives isn’t terrible work.

However, the defense cannot be fully absolved of blame. In particular, giving up a 72-yard touchdown on an FAU drive that started at their own 8-yard line was a big missed opportunity.

All in all, FIU’s performance was a pretty big letdown after their showing last week, especially against a major rival. The Panthers now have an opportunity to bounce back in their homecoming game against Monmouth.

Vs. Monmouth

The Monmouth Hawks are entering this game with a 1-2 record. In their previous matchup, they convincingly beat the Maine Black Bears 51-22. 

Monmouth has a very dangerous offensive weapon, that being senior quarterback Derek Robertson. Robertson leads all FCS quarterbacks in passing yards and passing toucdowns, with 1135 yards and 11 touchdowns through three games. 

Robertson’s main target is sophomore wide receiver Josh Derry. With 362 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns receptions so far, Derry ranks second among all FCS wide receivers in receiving yards, touchdowns and yards per game.

With 500 offensive yards per game, Monmouth ranks second among all FCS teams in total offense, only behind Montana State. Monmouth ranks sixth among FCS teams in offensive points per game. 

Despite Monmouth’s offensive production, its defense is a weak point. Monmouth’s defense gave up 40 or more points in each of its first two games, nullifying some great offensive efforts. 

If the Panthers want a homecoming week win, they must rectify their offensive mistakes and not let the Hawks’ own offensive weapons catch the defense off guard.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Follow Adrian Benitez on X: @ab305fiu