MIAMI — FIU's football program is set for its Saturday afternoon matchup in Lynchburg, Va., taking on Liberty in a Conference USA (CUSA) tilt at 3:30 p.m.
Series History
Series Record: FIU trails 3-1
Last Meeting: FIU def. Liberty, 34-27 (OT), Nov. 15, 2025
Willie Simmons vs. Liberty: 1–0
How To Follow
Fans can follow along with the game on variety of platforms. The matchup will air live on CBS Sports Network and also be available via radio on 990 AM La Poderosa. Live stats will also be available on fiusports.com/FBStats.
Official Kick-Off
3:32 p.m. ET
Broadcast — CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Jack Gordon
Analyst: Taylor McHargue
Radio — 990 AM La Poderosa
Play-by-Play: Tony Calatayud
Analyst: Anthony Calatayud
Analyst: Jose 'Chambi' Campos
Game Preview
As the CUSA season hits its pivotal stretch, FIU focuses its full attention on a marquee matchup at Liberty on Saturday afternoon with a chance to spark a turnaround after back-to-back defeats. The Panthers are no strangers to a strong finish to a season after a tough start under head coach Willie Simmons as FIU ripped off a 4-0 run to end 2025, clinching bowl eligibility after starting 3-5.
As the Panthers prepare to take on one of G6 and CUSA's best in Lynchburg, FIU knows it will face stiff competition on Saturday, but also that it has the opportunity to not only kickstart its 2026 campaign, but move right back into the CUSA Championship Game conversation with a win. The last two meetings of these programs have produced instant classics that needed overtime to decide a winner, both of which were won by the home teams.
The defenses on both sides will largely decide the outcome in this one as both come in highly-rated on both the conference and national level. The two major questions that when answered surely will be the game's biggest factors: Can FIU shut down Liberty's high-powered rushing attack? & Can FIU cash in on its red zone opportunities with touchdowns?
Liberty, riding a six-game win streak and unblemished in CUSA play, looks to inch closer towards another title game appearance and possibly its second CUSA title in four years in the league. FIU, who has four losses by a combined 22 points, is on a quest to come out on the right side of a close game this time and prove itself as the championship-contender that Simmons has been building in the 305.
FIU Notes
- The Panthers lost their second-consecutive game by three points in CUSA play their last time out, falling 26-23 to MTSU at home, their first home defeat of the season.
- Devonte Lyons produced FIU's first 100+ yard rushing performance of 2026, racking up a career-high 115 yards against Middle Tennessee. Lyons is averaging 88.7 yards per game in CUSA play, third-most in the conference.
- The Panther defense has allowed opponents to score touchdowns on just 26.3 percent of their drives into the red zone (5-19), on pace to be the best mark of any FBS team in the last decade.
- FIU's defensive line has been rated by PFN365 as the 11th-best nationally this season (84.7) and third-best in G6, trailing just New Mexico and ECU.
- Of FIU's four losses, three have come by six points or less.
- The Panthers are currently 0-3 on the road this season.
- FIU has converted at least five third-down attempts in eight straight games, the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS.
- JJ Kohl is one of only two CUSA players to have multiple games with 3+ TD passes this season, joining Sam Houston's Landyn Locke.
Matchup Notes
- FIU and Liberty battle for the fifth time overall and third time in Lynchburg with the Panthers in search of their first road win in this series.
- Both of the last two meetings between these two teams have gone to overtime with Liberty winning 31-24 in Lynchburg in 2024 and FIU taking the 37-24 victory in Miami last season.
- This will be FIU's fourth time playing on Halloween in program history and the Panthers are currently 2-1 in those games. It will be the first Halloween game for FIU since 2015.
- This will be a meeting of the top-two ranked scoring defenses in CUSA as Liberty allows just 14.0 ppg while FIU is allowing just 16.3 ppg.
- Three games into CUSA play each, this will be a matchup of two of the top three rushers in conference play as Kam Davis ranks second with 91.0 yards per game and Devonte Lyons ranks third with 88.7 yards per game.
Last Meeting
- FIU notched its first-ever win over Liberty with a dramatic overtime win, 34-27, last season at home.
- The Panthers trailed 21-14 right before the half in that contest, but scored the next 13 points to take a 27-21 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
- Defensively, FIU kept Liberty off the board until under three minutes remained before a Flames' field goal got them within three. Liberty got the ball back with 20 seconds left and incredibly pulled off a fire-drill field goal with zero time remaining to tie the game at 27-all, setting up overtime.
- After a Panther TD to Maguire Anderson on their first OT possession, FIU intercepted a Liberty pass from the 8 yard line on fourth down to pull off the win.
- Kyle McNeal had four catches for 36 yards in the win. On defense, Shamir Sterlin had 10 tackles while Josiah Taylor added eight stops.
Liberty
- Liberty is one of two undefeated teams remaining in CUSA, joined by Jax State.
- Liberty is currently on a six-game winning streak, their longest since the 2023 season, which ended in CUSA Championship and ensuing-Fiesta Bowl appearance.
- The Flames have 13 players on their roster from the State of Florida.
- Liberty's offense is averaging 31.6 points per game, the most in CUSA. Their defense is allowing 14.0 points per game, the lowest in the conference and seventh-least in the country.
- Liberty leads Conference USA with seven interceptions, 34th in the country.
- The Flames have the most red zone touchdowns in Conference USA this season (19) and are tied with FIU for the least amount of touchdowns allowed in the red zone (5).
- The Flames third down defense ranks 13th in the country and their fourth down defense ranks 12th in the country.
FIU Athletics App
Fans are encouraged to download the Official FIU Athletics App for all FIU Athletics News and Digital Content, of which can be found searching 'FIU Athletics' in the App Store on both Android and iOS-based devices. Inside the app, fans will find the Panther Rewards program, of which rewards fans for attending FIU Athletics event with points that can be used for prizes.
Weekly Media Availabilities
Best of Social Media
The Willie Simmons Coach's Show
The Panthers have partnered with Twin Peaks Doral, one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the entire franchise, for a weekly show with first-year Head Coach Willie Simmons and other special guests. Host Corey Brooks will sit down with Coach Simmons to discuss all facets of Panther football, with an emphasis on recapping the previous week's match-ups and previewing the upcoming game. For more information, click here.
25th Season Celebration, Presented by Miccosukee Casino and Resort
The 2026 season for the Panthers officially marks FIU's 25th season of football competition, dating back to the Panthers' first-ever season in 2002. Over that time period, FIU has qualified for six bowl games, secured six Shula Bowl victories and produced countless NFL players, including Pro Bowlers T.Y Hilton and Jonnu Smith. The program has also seen many legendary coaches and outstanding players pass through the Panther facilities throughout its history, creating a litany of incredible moments experienced by Panther Nation.
Fans can be expected to be taken on a journey back to the inception of the program all the way up to the present day, recognizing the standard set by the first teams and acknowledging how many past Panthers have helped to build on that legacy. All of this will lead up and continue through the 25th official season in 2026, the second under head coach Willie Simmons, following one of the most historic seasons on record in his first year on the sidelines.
As the campaign begins with a variety of content in the coming weeks, visit our one-stop shop for the 25th Season Celebration. In conjunction with this, fans are encouraged to follow along with the many highly-engaging pieces of content recognizing the past that will be released on FIU Football's social media channels, listed below.
Social Media
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
