After months of conditioning and preparation, the FIU football team was back in action this past Saturday at Pitbull Stadium for the annual spring game between Team Navy and Team Biscayne.
The scrimmage gave fans, coaches, and the players an early look at how the team is shaping up after a 7-6 season and making a bowl appearance for the first time since 2019.
With the program looking to build on momentum in year two under Head Coach Willie Simmons, every rep matters.
“We got through the spring relatively healthy,” Simmons says. “[We] got a lot of momentum going into the offseason, and are looking forward to a great summer as we go into training camp. We are looking to field the best team in the Conference USA this year.”
Offensively, the Panthers showed flashes of explosiveness, mixing in tempo and stretching the field using the run game, short passes, and the deep ball.
Quarterbacks Appalachian State transfer JJ Kohl and incoming freshman DJ Alexander made plays and conducted the offense. Running back Sterling Joseph piled his way in for a touchdown and transfer wide receiver Greg Gaines gave Panther Nation something to look forward to in the fall with his explosive routes and exciting catches.
Defense stood out too. The secondary forced turnovers and played aggressively. Defensive back Demetrius Hill picked up two interceptions for the Navy team.
The final score was 17-6, Navy team on top. The game highlighted a program that is still developing but moving in a positive direction, looking to make the big jump in Conference USA. The team expects to make the bowl game and hopes to raise the Conference USA Championship above their heads this fall.
