# 2023 FIU Panthers football team

The 2023 FIU Panthers football team represented Florida International University (FIU) as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by second-year head coach Mike MacIntyre and played home games at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Panthers drew an average home attendance of 15,290 in 2023.

## Preseason
### Conference USA media poll

Conference USA media poll :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Western Kentucky | (18) |
| 2 | Liberty | (4) |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee | |
| 4 | Louisiana Tech | |
| 5 | New Mexico State | |
| 6 | UTEP | |
| 7 | Jacksonville State | |
| T8 | FIU | |
| T8 | Sam Houston | |
    Source:

## Schedule

FIU and Conference USA announced the Panthers' schedule on January 10, 2023.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 26 | 9:00 p.m. | at Louisiana Tech | Joe Aillet StadiumRuston, LA | CBSSN | L 17–22 | 16,299 |
| September 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Maine* | Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL | ESPN+ | W 14–12 | 16,878 |
| September 9 | 6:30 p.m. | North Texas* | Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL | ESPN+ | W 46–39 | 15,754 |
| September 16 | 3:30 p.m. | at UConn* | Rentschler FieldEast Hartford, CT | CBSSN | W 24–17 | 20,405 |
| September 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Liberty | Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL | ESPN+ | L 6–38 | 17,437 |
| October 4 | 9:00 p.m. | at New Mexico State | Aggie Memorial StadiumLas Cruces, NM | CBSSN | L 17–34 | 11,540 |
| October 11 | 7:30 p.m. | UTEP | Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL | ESPN2 | L 14–27 | 14,872 |
| October 18 | 7:00 p.m. | at Sam Houston | Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX | CBSSN | W 33–27 $^{2OT}$ | 7,543 |
| October 25 | 7:00 p.m. | Jacksonville State | Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL | CBSSN | L 16–41 | 14,074 |
| November 11 | 3:30 p.m. | at Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd StadiumMurfreesboro, TN | ESPN+ | L 6–40 | 11,111 |
| November 18 | 7:00 p.m. | at Arkansas* | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR | ESPNU | L 20–44 | 61,442 |
| November 25 | 3:00 p.m. | Western Kentucky | Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL | ESPN+ | L 28–41 | 12,724 |
| *Non-conference gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Game summaries
### at Louisiana Tech (Week 0)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 22 |
at Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, Louisiana
* Date: August 26
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 16,299
* TV announcers (CBSSN): TBD
| Statistics | Florida International | Louisiana Tech |
| First downs | 8 | 27 |
| Plays–yards | 182 | 450 |
| Rushes–yards | 178 | 117 |
| Passing yards | 4 | 333 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 5–14–1 | 34–44–1 |
| Time of possession | 21:42 | 38:13 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Florida International | Passing | Grayson James | 5/14, 4 yards, INT |
| Florida International | Rushing | Shomari Lawrence | 15 carries, 139 yards, TD |
| Florida International | Receiving | Josiah Miamen | 1 reception, 4 yards |
| Louisiana Tech | Passing | Hank Bachmeier | 34/44, 333 yards, TD, INT |
| Louisiana Tech | Rushing | Charvis Thornton | 8 carries, 51 yards |
| Louisiana Tech | Receiving | Smoke Harris | 11 receptions, 155 yards, TD |

### vs Maine (FCS)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Black Bears (FCS) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| Panthers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, Florida
* Date: September 2nd
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C), Wind: NE 13mph
* Game attendance: 16,878
* Referee: Joe Lehring
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
| Statistics | Maine (FCS) | Florida International |
| First downs | 27 | 13 |
| Plays–yards | 85–378 | 54–305 |
| Rushes–yards | 41–165 | 24–13 |
| Passing yards | 213 | 292 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 21–44–0 | 15–30–1 |
| Time of possession | 39:05 | 20:00 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Maine (FCS) | Passing | Derek Robertson | 21/43, 213 yards |
| Maine (FCS) | Rushing | Tristen Kenan | 24 rushes, 110 yards, TD |
| Maine (FCS) | Receiving | Montigo Moss | 3 receptions, 50 yards |
| Florida International | Passing | Keyone Jenkins | 15/30, 292 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Florida International | Rushing | Shomari Lawrence | 7 rushes, 26 yards |
| Florida International | Receiving | Kris Mitchell | 9 receptions, 201 yards, 2 TD |

### vs North Texas

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Mean Green | 10 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 39 |
| Panthers | 7 | 10 | 21 | 8 | 46 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, Florida
* Date: September 9th
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 15,754
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| North Texas | Passing |
| North Texas | Rushing |
| North Texas | Receiving |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |

### at UConn

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Huskies | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Rentschler Field • East Hartford, Connecticut
* Date: September 16th
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 72 °F (22 °C), Wind: NW 14 MPH
* Game attendance: 20,405
* Referee: Art Brown
* TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Christian Fauria (color analyst), and Keiana Martin (sideline)
| Statistics | Florida International | UConn |
| First downs | 16 | 20 |
| Plays–yards | 364 | 343 |
| Rushes–yards | 80 | 173 |
| Passing yards | 284 | 170 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–27–0 | 15–32–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:42 | 32:18 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Florida International | Passing | Keyone Jenkins | 15/27, 284 yards, 2 TD |
| Florida International | Rushing | Shomari Lawrence | 9 carries, 37 yards |
| Florida International | Receiving | Jalen Bracey | 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD |
| UConn | Passing | Ta'Quan Roberson | 15/32, 170 yards, TD |
| UConn | Rushing | Devontae Houston | 19 carries, 126 yards |
| UConn | Receiving | Brett Buckman | 5 receptions, 62 yards |

### vs Liberty

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Flames | 14 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 38 |
| Panthers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westcester, Florida
* Date: September 23rd
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C); Cloudy
* Game attendance: 17,437
* Referee: Garrett Dickerson
* TV announcers (ESPN+): AJ Ricketts and Jonathan Zipper
| Statistics | LIB | FIU |
| First downs | 22 | 11 |
| Plays–yards | 65-520 | 57-211 |
| Rushes–yards | 44-364 | 33-64 |
| Passing yards | 156 | 147 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 11-21-1 | 11-24-1 |
| Time of possession | 33:09 | 26:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Liberty | Passing | Kaidon Salter | 11/21, 156 yards, 2TD, 1INT |
| Liberty | Rushing | Quinton Cooley, Billy Lucas | 12 carries, 102 yards / 11 carries, 102 yards, 1TD |
| Liberty | Receiving | Treon Sibley | 2 receptions, 83 yards, 1TD |
| Florida International | Passing | Keyone Jenkins | 9/21, 133 yards, 1INT |
| Florida International | Rushing | Kejon Owens | 11 carries, 42 yards |
| Florida International | Receiving | Kris Mitchell | 3 receptions, 89 yards |

### at New Mexico State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Aggies | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 34 |
at Aggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, New Mexico
* Date: October 4th
* Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 11,540
* Referee: Garrett Dickerson
* TV announcers (CBSSN): Jordan Kent and Donte Whitner
| Statistics | Florida International | New Mexico State |
| First downs | 20 | 21 |
| Plays–yards | 64–405 | 62–439 |
| Rushes–yards | 29–87 | 31–183 |
| Passing yards | 318 | 256 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28–35–2 | 20–31–1 |
| Time of possession | 28:04 | 31:56 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Florida International | Passing | Keyone Jenkins | 25/32, 258 yards, 2 INT |
| Florida International | Rushing | Kejon Owens | 6 carries, 51 yards |
| Florida International | Receiving | Kris Mitchell | 8 receptions, 91 yards |
| New Mexico State | Passing | Diego Pavia | 20/31, 256 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| New Mexico State | Rushing | Monte Watkins | 5 carries, 89 yards |
| New Mexico State | Receiving | Jordin Parker | 1 reception, 49 yards, TD |

### vs UTEP

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Miners | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, Florida
* Date: October 11th
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST/4:30 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 14,872
* TV announcers (ESPN2): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| UTEP | Passing |
| UTEP | Rushing |
| UTEP | Receiving |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |

### at Sam Houston

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bearkates | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Bowers Stadium • Huntsville, Texas
* Date: October 18th
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST/4:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 7,543
* TV announcers (CBSSN): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |
| Sam Houston | Passing |
| Sam Houston | Rushing |
| Sam Houston | Receiving |

### vs Jacksonville State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, Florida
* Date: October 25th
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST/4:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 14,074
* TV announcers (CBSSN): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Jacksonville State | Passing |
| Jacksonville State | Rushing |
| Jacksonville State | Receiving |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |

### at Middle Tennessee

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blue Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, Tennessee
* Date: November 11th
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 11,111
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |
| Middle Tennessee | Passing |
| Middle Tennessee | Rushing |
| Middle Tennessee | Receiving |

### at Arkansas

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Razorbacks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas
* Date: November 18th
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST/4:30 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 61,442
* TV announcers (ESPNU): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |
| Arkansas | Passing |
| Arkansas | Rushing |
| Arkansas | Receiving |

### vs Western Kentucky

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Hilltoppers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, Florida
* Date: November 25th
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 12,724
* TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
* Statistics
* First downs
* Plays–yards
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: comp–att–int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Western Kentucky | Passing |
| Western Kentucky | Rushing |
| Western Kentucky | Receiving |
| Florida International | Passing |
| Florida International | Rushing |
| Florida International | Receiving |