FIU football facing must-win game on Tuesday night vs. New Mexico State

There’s no margin for error.

The FIU Panthers (2-6 overall, 1-3 Conference USA) have to win all four of their remaining games to become bowl eligible.

Anything less than that will result in FIU’s sixth consecutive losing season and its third straight under coach Mike MacIntyre.

Next up on FIU’s schedule is a home game on Tuesday against CUSA rival New Mexico State (2-5, 1-3). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

Here are five takeaways regarding FIU football in advance of Tuesday’s game:

1. JENKINS READY

MacIntyre said starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins is ready to start Tuesday’s game.

This has been the worst stretch of Jenkins’ mostly charmed career that includes great success at Miami Central High followed by winning the FIU starting job midway through the first game of his true-freshman season.

Over Jenkins’ 10 most recent passes, he is 1-of-10 for 16 yards and two interceptions. That’s more catches by his opponents as opposed to his receivers.

Jenkins’ problems started on Oct. 16 at Texas-El Paso. After throwing an interception, he dove to make a tackle and suffered a contusion on his left (throwing) shoulder.

He started last week at home against Sam Houston State, but he was pulled after just nine passes as FIU lost 10-7.

“Keyone is doing well,” MacIntyre said when asked about Jenkins’ recent practices. “He’s been able to take all his reps.”

MacIntyre said backups Amari Jones and Chayden Peery are also ready to play QB if needed.

2. BOCK WATCH

Panthers center John Bock II has to serve one more game in his NCAA-mandated, year-long suspension for use of a banned substance.

Bock is expected to make his season debut on Nov. 16 at Jacksonville State.

“He’s doing a phenomenal job on our (scout) team,” MacIntyre said. “This is probably the healthiest he’s ever been at this point of a season.

“I envision him playing a lot for us right away (on Nov. 16). He might play center and guard.”

While Bock will be out again on Tuesday, FIU is hoping to get safety CJ Christian and tight end Josiah Miamen back from injury.

3. DEFENSIVE STAR

Panthers linebacker Travion Barnes ranks second in the nation with 12.4 tackles per game. He’s also fifth in the country with 5.8 solo stops on average.

“That boy is a dog -- there’s no other way to put it,” fellow FIU linebacker Elijah Anderson-Taylor said. “He’s always chirping and having fun with. the guys. You always want to be around him.”

MacIntyre said opposing offenses are trying to negate Barnes by using motion or by having a running back “chip” him before offensive linemen are able to get to him on the second level.

“(But Barnes) diagnoses plays really well,” MacIntyre said. “He’s a quick-twitch player. He’s also a quick-twitch thinker. He can see things and react.”

4. DEFENDER EMERGES

Anderson-Taylor is third on FIU with 62 tackles, which is already a career high with four games left to pad his statistics.

This is Anderson-Taylor’s fifth season in college football, and that includes three years at an FCS school, Northern Colorado.

“I’m the old guy in (FIU’s linebacker) room,” Anderson-Taylor said. “I feel like I’m a natural leader.

“As a leader, I’m not going to get in your face. But I will hold you accountable. I’d rather teach you than scream at you.”

Anderson-Taylor said his coaches have been pleading with him to be more aggressive, and that is now happening.

“I started this season slow,” he said. “But I’ve been able to open up and play more freely. I’m flying around – see ball, hit ball.”

5. RB IS BACK

Shomari Lawrence, who led FIU with 566 rushing yards in 2023, has struggled this season.

But he broke out last week against Sam Houston, rushing for a season-high 44 yards with a 5.5 average.

Prior to that, he had been benched for three straight games. In fact, in the four games prior to Sam Houston, Lawrence had a total of two carries for two yards.

So what was his attitude when he finally got the ball again last week?

“I was running angry,” Lawrence said. “I felt like nobody could stop me.”

Lawrence said he never lost the faith during the past month when he was effectively benched.

“I just put my head down and worked,” he said. “I didn’t lose focus or get into my feelings.

“Once I got my shot, I had to make up for it. I had to show I’m a player who (deserves) to be on the field.”