The Florida International University (FIU) football team has accepted an invitation to participate in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, where they will face the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) on Friday, December 26. The game is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN from Gerald J. Ford Stadium at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Tickets for FIU fans are available for purchase online, with prices ranging from $40 to $100 depending on seat location. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets directly through the official FIU link to ensure financial benefits for the university and to keep all Panther supporters seated together. Direct purchases also help FIU track fan attendance, which can influence future bowl selections.
FIU officials are working on arrangements for travel, lodging, and related events for supporters attending the bowl game. Updates will be provided as details are finalized. Those interested in receiving more information are advised to fill out a form on FIUSports.com/BowlForm and check the central page at FIUSports.com/Bowl for updates.
“We are incredibly honored to accept an invitation to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl,” said Director of Athletics Scott Carr. “This is a great bowl game which honors our nation’s everyday heroes. Executive Director Brant Ringler and his team host and run a first-class event. We are excited to compete and represent FIU on a national stage, and I know our student-athletes, students, alumni and supporters will have a great time and create some lifelong memories. I encourage all of Panther Nation to get behind this team and join us in Dallas as we look to conclude a great first season under Coach Simmons!”
This marks FIU’s sixth appearance in a bowl game and its first since 2019. Under new head coach Willie Simmons, who is in his first season at the FBS level after eight years coaching at Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M, the Panthers finished their regular season with a 7-5 record following a 56-16 win over Sam Houston. This result secures their first winning season since 2018.
A victory in Dallas would give FIU its eighth win of the season, tying for second-most wins in program history behind only their nine-win campaign in 2018.
FIU’s current four-game winning streak matches its longest single-season streaks from previous years (2010, 2018). The team also went undefeated in November and received 14 All-Conference USA postseason honors this year. Running back Kejon Owens was named Offensive Player of the Year—the first FIU player to receive that honor during its tenure in Conference USA.
UTSA enters the bowl game with a 6–6 record overall and posted notable victories during their season—including one against American Athletic Conference champion Tulane. The Roadrunners’ offense is led by running back Robert Henry, who achieved over 1,000 rushing yards this year; quarterback Owen McCown; wide receiver Devin McCuin; and AJ Wilson. On defense, Shad Banks Jr., Nnanna Anyanwu, and Chidera Otutu lead key statistics.
The two teams have played four times before with each winning twice; those meetings occurred between 2014 and 2022 when UTSA was part of Conference USA.
FIU began its football program in 2002 at the FCS level before moving up to FBS status in 2005. Their previous bowl appearances include wins against Toledo (2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl; 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl) but losses against Marshall (2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl), Temple (2017 Bad Boy Movers Gasparilla Bowl), and Arkansas State (2019 Camelia Bowl).
