MIAMI, FLA. – Keyone Jenkins and Kejon Owens powered the ground game with two rushing touchdowns apiece as Florida International opened its season with a commanding 42-9 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Friday night.

The matchup, delayed an hour and 15 minutes by weather, saw Owens strike first with a 2-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. He finished with 71 yards on 11 carries.

FIU broke the game open in the second quarter, piling up 21 unanswered points. Owens added his second score on a 16-yard run, Jenkins scrambled in from six yards out, and Devonte Lyons capped the surge with a 35-yard touchdown burst to push the lead to 28-3.

Jenkins added another rushing score in the second half while also throwing for 187 yards on 18-of-31 passing. Anthony Carrie’s fourth-quarter touchdown gave FIU a program-record-tying six rushing scores in the game.

The victory marked FIU’s first-ever win over Bethune-Cookman after dropping the previous four meetings. It also served as the debut victory for new head coach Willie Simmons, who joined FIU after a stint coaching running backs at Duke.

For Bethune-Cookman, Juan Dominguez was perfect on three field goal attempts from 35, 22, and 28 yards. Quarterback Timmy McClain went 18 of 28 for 164 yards in the loss.