Know Your Opponent: FIU Golden Panthers

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers open the 2024 season with a visit from the FIU Golden Panthers. IU is 3-0 all-time against FIU with their last meeting coming in 2018. 

Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre (3rd year at FIU)
Overall: 54-81 (.400) 11th year
At FIU 8-16 (3-13)
Bowl Appearances: 5
Last Year’s Record: 4-8 (1-7)
This Year’s Record: 0-0 (0-0)
Postseason Appearances Since 2000: 5 Appearances (2-3 Record)
Mascot: Roary the Panther
Colors: Blue and Gold
Outfitter: adidas
National Titles: 0
Conference Titles: 1
Heisman Winners: 0

FUN FACT:

•    Mr. 305, Pitbull and FIU Athletics

The musical artist Pitbull has become the official entrepreneur of FIU athletics after a massive donation. FIU’s football stadium will be known as Pitbull Stadium and serve Voli 305 vodka and the artist will make an FIU anthem.

 1. Keyone Jenkins Could Be Tough to Stop

FIU has a young dynamo at quarterback who flashed as a true freshman. In 11 games with the Golden Panthers Jenkins threw for 2,414 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for six touchdowns. The down side with the young QB is that he turned the ball over 11 times via interceptions.. Jenkins has bulked up this year which should help him absorb hits and throw the ball better down field. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has Jenkins circled in his game plan already.

“He's an extremely capable passer, but when he gets out of the pocket he does a really nice job of extending plays. And even though he's a really good athlete that can tuck it and run and gain a lot of yards, he's going to look to throw first and does a nice job of finding people when he extends plays.

And we've got to win up front, our defensive line. And we've got to put pressure on him and keep him in the pocket and not give him much time to throw. We've got to get to him. And we need a game from our D line.” Cignetti said on Monday.

Opening games are tricky and they are especially tricky with a slippery quarterback like Jenkins.

2. Former Hoosier Leads the Defensive Line

There is a familiar name along the defensive line that Hoosier fans should know, Jeramy Passmore. He is the elder statesman on the defensive line and had a productive junior season for the Golden Panthers. In 2023, Passmore played in 11 games and made 26 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Passmore played two seasons with the Hoosiers and appeared in three games before transferring after the 2020 season. 

FIU’s success on the defensive line will depend on if Passmore can take the next step and lead an unproven unit. The Hoosiers are breaking in several new additions on the offensive line. 

3. Wide Receiver Dean Patterson Will Get the Ball

FIU lost 2023 leading receiver Kris Mitchell to Notre Dame via the transfer portal. Mitchell was Jenkins go-to guy last year making 64 catches for over 1,100 yards and six touchdowns. This year, junior Dean Patterson will fill that role. The 6’2” 200-pound receiver made 28 catches for 428 yards and a score. Those numbers should go up as he becomes the number one target. Patterson also returns punts for the Panthers.

4. Stable of Backs Ready to Run

The FIU running game will use a stable of running backs led by leading returning rusher Shamai Lawrence. They get Lexington Joseph back from an injury that sidelined him all of 2023 after running for over 500 yards in 2022. The third back is Kejon Owens who nearly ran for 500 yards as the back up last season.

5. Look Out For LB Reggie Peterson

Linebacker Reggie Patterson returns and he is a good player to anchor the defense. Patterson was the Panthers’ second-leading tackler in 2023 with 104 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. Their defense will go how Peterson goes.