MIAMI, FLA. – The 2025 college football season kicks off in South Florida with an in-state clash between the Florida International Panthers and the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Friday night at Pitbull Stadium. Both programs enter the opener with renewed optimism—FIU beginning a new era under head coach Willie Simmons, while B-CU looks to build momentum in year three under Raymond Woodie Jr. With standout players like FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins and B-CU playmaker Watts already earning national preseason recognition, this matchup offers an early test of how each team’s offseason progress will translate under the lights.

Matchup Overview

• Date & Time: Friday, August 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Pitbull Stadium, Miami, FL
• Broadcast: ESPN+

Both teams open the season with clean slates, but their goals differ: FIU looks to establish itself as a contender in Conference USA under Simmons, while Bethune-Cookman aims to prove it can compete with FBS opponents and showcase growth within the HBCU football landscape.

Key Players & Watch Lists

FIU Panthers

• QB Keyone Jenkins enters the season as one of the most decorated Group of Five players nationally:
  • Named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.
  • Earned a spot on the Maxwell Award Watch List, one of just 14 non-Power Four players recognized.
• His leadership and consistency will be central to FIU’s offensive identity this season.

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

• RB/WR Watts has already been named to the HBCU Football Player of the Year Watch List and earned Preseason HBCU All-American honors, giving the Wildcats a proven playmaker to lean on.
• QB Timmy McClain, a transfer with previous stops at UCF, USF, and Arkansas State, brings experience and versatility to B-CU’s offense.
• The Wildcats hope this combination of veteran talent and rising stars helps them compete against FIU’s defense.

Historical Context

The two programs have only met four times before, with Bethune-Cookman winning both recent contests in 2013 (34–13) and 2014 (14–12). This year marks the first renewal of the matchup in over a decade, adding a fresh layer of intrigue.

Storylines to Watch

• New Eras for Both Programs: FIU under Simmons is expected to showcase a faster-paced, efficient attack, while B-CU continues to solidify its rebuild under Woodie Jr.
• Battle of Playmakers: Jenkins’ ability to manage the game and stretch defenses versus Watts’ explosiveness for B-CU will be a central storyline.
• Depth and Execution: FIU’s overall roster depth gives them a clear edge, but B-CU’s transfers and preseason honorees could provide sparks to keep things competitive.

Prediction

FIU enters this matchup with the stronger roster, a nationally recognized quarterback, and home-field advantage, making the Panthers clear favorites to open their season on a high note. Bethune-Cookman should show growth and flashes of playmaking ability, but sustaining drives against FIU’s defense may prove difficult. Expect Simmons and Jenkins to set the tone for the Panthers’ season with a convincing victory.