Jamil Ferrer | Dec 27, 2025
The Florida international Panthers (FIU) looked forward to handling business on the road as they flew from the tropical south to Dallas, Texas where they took on the University of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners (UTSA) Saturday Dec 26 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium for the 2025 Servpro First Responder Bowl.
In a crowd of 8,671 fans, the Panthers tried to bring their best as they went into the game, yet things went down the drain quickly.
In the first quarter, it was a complete back and forth between each team as both managed to score two touchdowns. FIU opened up the game as QB Joe Pesansky threw a 19-yard dot to WR Kyle McNeal for a touchdown two minutes into the first quarter .
Playing off the momentum from that perfect start Panthers’ Maguire Anderson had a 97-yard punt return with 9:26 left in the first—putting the Panthers ahead 14-0.
Yet, UTSA didn’t stay quiet for long as they found themselves into the end zone for the first time today as RB Will Henderson III burrowed his way into the end zone with a 2-yard run.
UTSA made a huge play once again as QB Owen McCown found RB Will Henderson for a 40-yard touchdown making that his second of the night, and UTSA’s second to close off the first quarter.
It seemed as though after the first quarter came to an end, FIU’s playmaking would also come to a halt along with it—as the back and forth we saw in the first quarter wouldn’t be seen again.
UTSA started the second with complete firepower, looking to end the game right this instant. Starting the quarter with a field goal with 14:55 in the second quarter, making the game 17-14, giving UTSA their first lead of the night.
As the Roadrunners kept their foot on the Panthers’ neck, QB Owen McCown found WR Devin McCuin for a 23-yard touchdown with 9:42 left in the second quarter.
Doubling down, UTSA’s A’Marion Peterson scored a 10-yard touchdown run to seal the first half on a 31-14 lead.
It continued to go downhill as UTSA opened the third quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run made by Will Henderson III with 8:25 left in the third quarter, making the game 38-14.
Looking for a glimpse of hope, FIU struck back as QB Joe Pesansky made a 22-yard touchdown pass to WR Dallas Payne; needing all the points they could get, they decided to go for the 2 point conversion—which failed due to a defensive PAT return by UTSA, making the game 40-20 as the third quarter came to an end.
UTSA’s kicker Michael Petro made a 36-yard FG to bring the score to 50-20 with 6:02 left in the fourth.
As time winded down UTSA saw the end zone for one last time as RB Bryson Donnell had a 12-yard touchdown run, ending the game with a 57-20 UTSA victory.
It seems as FIU came into the game unprepared, yet still a great first season for Head Coach Willie Simmons as he played an incredible role into the Panthers receiving a bowl invitation for the first time since 2019.
FIU WR Kyle McNeal diving towards the end zone via NewEraPrep
As FIU finished the season with a positive 7-6 record, expect an even bigger season ahead.
Photo Credits: Marcus Moreno, NewEraPrep
