MIAMI — Fresh off a win in the home opener over Buffalo, FIU's football program hits the road for rivalry week, taking on Fla. Atlantic in Boca Raton at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening for the annual Shula Bowl.
The 24th edition of the Shula Bowl kicks off this Saturday as the Panthers (1-1) take on the Owls (1-1) at Flagler Credit Union Stadium with bragging rights on the line.
Fan Fit
Wear Gold!
Series History
Series Record: FIU trails 17-6
Willie Simmons vs. Fla. Atlantic: 1-0
How To Follow
Fans can follow along with the game on variety of platforms. The matchup will air live on ESPN+ and also be available via audio stream on fiusports.com/listenlive. Live stats will also be available on fiusports.com/FBStats.
Broadcast — ESPN+
Play-by-Play: AJ Ricketts
Analyst: Patrick Murrary
Sideline: Maria Trivelpiece
Radio — 990 AM La Poderosa
Play-by-Play: Tony Calatayud
Analyst: Anthony Calatayud
Analyst: Christian Calatayud
fiusports.com Audio Stream
Play-by-Play: Corey Brooks
Analyst: Jermon Bushrod
Game Preview
In a historic season for FIU that marks its 25th as a program, there's no single game with more history in the Panther football annuls than the Shula Bowl. Named after legendary Dolphins head coach Don Shula, the Shula Bowl name has ties back to the inception of both programs as Fla. Atlantic's first coach Howard Schnellenberger assisted Shula in the 1970s while FIU's first coach Don Strock played for Shula in both the 70's and 80's.
This long-standing rivalry of two schools separated by exactly 46 miles will have another chapter written on Saturday evening in Boca Raton. For the Panthers, the last chapter was as sweet as could be as Willie Simmons returned the Shula Bowl trophy to Miami with a dominant 38-28 win over the Owls in his first season at the helm of the FIU program. Simmons' bunch will be in search of more history-making, after snapping a seven-game losing streak to FAU last season, as it seeks to win its first Shula Bowl in Boca Raton since 2012.
The history-making under Simmons for FIU has been well documented through a season and two games as the Panthers achieved their first-ever four game win streak in CUSA play in 2025 and qualified for the their first bowl game since 2019 in Simmons' inaugural season. FIU now looks for its second-ever Shula Bowl win in Boca and to repeat last season's success, announcing its formidable arrival in this rivalry that for a time was largely one-sided.
For Florida Atlantic, head coach Zach Kittley will look to build on the momentum of last week's win over Navy in an effort to avenge last season's defeat at Pitbull Stadium. The Owls will hope that history repeats itself as Fla. Atlantic is 6-1 in Boca Raton in the Shula Bowl's history and 17-6 overall. Following a 4-8 campaign in 2025, Kittley's Owls are in search of a real spark that a rivalry win could bring to ignite a season with newfound optimism in Boca Raton.
In a matchup of two highly-potent aerial attacks, fans can expect fireworks, especially through the air, on Saturday evening. Ultimately, this is a battle that should come down to big plays on both sides as two surging teams in the Group of Six look for a marquee win to jump-start their 2026 campaigns.
Matchup Notes
- The Panthers and Owls meet for the 24th time in the Shula Bowl rivalry game this Saturday in Boca Raton. These programs have met every season since FIU's inception in 2002 except for a one-year hiatus due to FAU's conference realignment in 2023.
- The Panthers and Owls meet for the 24th time in the Shula Bowl rivalry game this Saturday in Boca Raton. These programs have met every season since FIU's inception in 2002 except for a one-year hiatus due to FAU's conference realignment in 2023.
- Both teams enter this matchup as the top-ranked passing offenses in their respective leagues and both sit within the top-15 nationally.
- This game is the third in a stretch of five-straight games in the Sunshine State to open the season for FIU.
- Following a dominant win over Buffalo, the Panthers won 4-of-5 available weekly awards from CUSA as Elisha Baldridge (Defensive), Zaire Flournoy (Offensive Lineman), JJ Kohl (Offensive) and Felix Visser (Freshman) all received nods.
- FIU sits first in both total defense and total offense amongst all CUSA teams.
- Baldridge and his Defensive End counterpart DeeJay Holmes Jr. were rated one-two by PFF among all EDGEs in CUSA for Week Two.
- Nick Coleman was named CBS' Sports Offensive Coordinator of the Week in CUSA following a 540-yard performance for the FIU offense.
- The Panther offensive line has allowed just one sack through two games this season.
- Kohl has now passed for 300+ yards in two consecutive games after FIU did not have a 300-yard passer in 2025. He's the first FIU QB to do this in consecutive weeks since 2022.
- Kohl is now third-nationally in passing yards per game, averaging 334.0 yards per contest. Kohl was also featured in a standalone segment on ESPN's Sunday SportsCenter programming, recognizing his incredible TD catch against Buffalo.
- FIU is looking to snap a six-game losing streak in Shula Bowls in Boca.
Fla. Atlantic
- Quarterback Caden Veltkamp was named American Offensive Player of the Week. He threw for 386 yards and tied his own single-game program mark with five touchdowns.
- Fla. Atlantic has not lost a Shula Bowl at home since 2012.
- Wide Receivers Easton Messer and Kelby Valsin sit first and second in American ranks with 252 and 207 total yards, respectively.
- Defensively, Fla. Atlantic ranks 14th in both total defense and scoring defense.
- Before its win over Navy last week, Fla. Atlantic had lost four straight games dating back to last season and lost back-to-back games at home to close out 2025.
Weekly Media Availabilities
Willie Simmons
Maguire Anderson
Percy Courtney Jr.
Best of Social
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.
