2021 FIU Panthers football team

Last updated

2021 FIU Panthers football
Florida International University FIU logo.svg
Conference Conference USA
DivisionEast Division
Record1–11 (0–8 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Andrew Breiner (1st season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Everett Withers (1st season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadium Riccardo Silva Stadium
Seasons
  2020
2022  
2021 Conference USA football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Western Kentucky xy  7 1   9 5  
Marshall  5 3   7 6  
Old Dominion  5 3   6 7  
Middle Tennessee  4 4   7 6  
Florida Atlantic  3 5   5 7  
Charlotte  3 5   5 7  
FIU  0 8   1 11  
West Division
UTSA xy$  7 1   12 2  
UAB  6 2   9 4  
North Texas  5 3   6 7  
UTEP  4 4   7 6  
Rice  3 5   4 8  
Southern Miss  2 6   3 9  
Louisiana Tech  2 6   3 9  
Championship: UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant

The 2021 FIU Panthers football team represented Florida International University (FIU) in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers played their home games at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by fifth-year head coach Butch Davis.

Contents

The season was marred by drama and controversy, with athletic director Pete Garcia clearing his desk out in the middle of the night, with no prior announcement or news conference. A few days later, it was announced that head coach Butch Davis would not be returning following the season. Davis alleged that university administrators had cut the football program's budget by $500,000 each year for the past two years and that coaches were not allowed to recruit on the road. University administrators have not commented on Davis's allegations. [1]

Preseason

C-USA media days

The Panthers were predicted to finish in sixth place in the East Division in the Conference USA preseason poll. [2]

Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finishTeam
1Marshall
2Florida Atlantic
3Western Kentucky
4Charlotte
5Middle Tennessee
6FIU
7Old Dominion

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 2 8:00 p.m. LIU * ESPN3 W 48–10 0
September 11 7:00 p.m. Texas State *
  • Riccardo Silva Stadium
  • Miami, FL
ESPN+ L 17–23 OT 0
September 18 7:00 p.m. at Texas Tech * ESPN+ L 21–54 50,118
September 25 12:00 p.m. at Central Michigan * ESPN+ L 27–31 18,382
October 2 3:30 p.m. at Florida Atlantic Stadium L 21–58 24,726
October 8 7:00 p.m. Charlotte
  • Riccardo Silva Stadium
  • Miami, FL
CBSSN L 33–45 0
October 23 7:00 p.m. Western Kentucky Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Riccardo Silva Stadium
  • Miami, FL
ESPN+ L 19–34 0
October 30 3:30 p.m. at Marshall Stadium L 0–38 18,466
November 6 7:00 p.m. Old Dominion
  • Riccardo Silva Stadium
  • Miami, FL
ESPN3 L 24–47 0
November 13 3:30 p.m. at Middle Tennessee ESPN3 L 10–50 10,606
November 20 7:00 p.m. North Texas
  • Riccardo Silva Stadium
  • Miami, FL
ESPN3 L 7–49 0
November 27 3:00 p.m. at Southern Miss ESPN+ L 17–37 20,041
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[3]

Personnel

2021 FIU Panthers football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 0Tyrese ChambersSo
WR 1Shemar ThorntonSr
WR 2Bryce Singleton Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 3Shaun Peterson Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
QB 4Haden CarlsonFr
WR 6Nate Jefferson Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 7Kaylan Wiggins Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 8Lexington JosepgSo
WR 9Artez HookerFr
QB 10 Grayson James Fr
QB 11Isaiah Velez Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 12Max Bortenschlager Redshirt.svg  Sr
TE 13 Rivaldo Fairweather Fr
TE 14Joe Hocker Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 15Teddy RichardsonFr
WR 16Randall St. Felix Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 17Caleb Lynum Redshirt.svg  So
WR 18Jay Barry Jr.Fr
TE 19Daniel PilgrimFr
RB 20Kejon OwensFr
RB 21E. J. Wilson Jr.Fr
RB 24 D'Vonte Price Sr
RB 32Maleek Williams Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 34Ross FornutFr
RB 38Hosea RobinsonFr
OL 51Dontae Keys Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 54Kristoff PollasFr
OL 58Api Mane Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 59Wyatt LawsonFr
OL 63Noah Quier Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 65Julius Pierce Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 66Jahmari SylvesterFr
OL 67Jake AguirreFr
OL 68Sebastian LaraqueFr
OL 69Ming TjonFr
OL 70Miles FrazierFr
OL 72Sione FinauSo
OL 74Rey BennettSo
OL 77Lyndell Hudson Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
OL 78Shamar Hobdy-Lee Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 79Logan Gunderson Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 80 Kris Mitchell Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 81Dean Patterson Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 82Jordan Underwood Redshirt.svg  So
WR 83Carson Kaleo Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 84David O'MearaJr
TE 85Jackson McDonald Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 87Kamareon WilliamsSo
TE 88Sterling PalmerJr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 0Dorian Hall Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 2Eric Mitchell Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 3Richard DamesSr
DB 4Rishard Dames Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 5Kevin OliverSr
DB 7Josh Valentine-Turner Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 9Jamal GatesSr
LB 10Daniel JacksonSr
LB 11Josh PowellSr
DB 15Pierce Withers Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 18Demarcus Robinson Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 19Deuce DunbarFr
DB 22Benny McCray Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 23Andrew VolmarFr
DB 27Henry GrayFr
DB 29Jamal PottsFr
DB 30Joe PerkinsFr
LB 33Nasir Carter Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 34Chance ColemanFr
LB 36Ah'Mahri McCrayFr
DB 39Brian BladesFr
DB 40Demetrius HillFr
DB 41D'Mor Jean-BaptisteFr
LB 42Reggie PetersonFr
DB 43Jabril Muhammad Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 44A. J. MathisFr
LB 45Rocky Jacques-LouisJr
DB 47Gio Richardson Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 48Gaethan BernadelFr
DL 49Shykieim PaceFr
LB 52Donovan Georges Redshirt.svg  So
DL 53Tevin Jones Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 55Baba Conate Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 56Tamarick BestFr
DL 57Nick DonahueFr
DL 60Clayton Senior IIIFr
LB 61Joey Maya Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 75Rashad Colson Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 86Keegan DavisFr
DL 89Ty Danzy Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 90Travonte O'NealFr
DL 91Jeramy Passmore Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 92Jason MercierJr
DL 93Jordan GueradFr
DL 95Jeremy Moore Redshirt.svg  So
DL 96David ReynoldsSo
DL 98Savion CollinsFr
DL 99Davon Strickland Redshirt.svg  So
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P 1Tommy HeatherlySr
P, K 25Daton Montiel Redshirt.svg  Fr
LS 31Tommy Zozus Redshirt.svg  Jr
K 32Matthew EnriquezFr
K 35Lucas MatiasSo
K 37Chase GabrielFr
LS 85Jackson McDonald Redshirt.svg  Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

Game summaries

LIU

LIU Sharks at FIU Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sharks0100010
Panthers217101048

at Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: September 2
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Rain, 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Jon Noil
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): A. J. Ricketts and Cam Lynch
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Texas State

Pregame lineOver/under
FIU –2.056
Texas State Bobcats at FIU Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Bobcats7307623
Panthers07100017

at Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: E 7 MPH
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): A. J. Ricketts and Cam Lynch
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Texas Tech

FIU Panthers at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers777021
Red Raiders72891054

at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT/6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 50,118
  • Referee: Tim Hedgepeth
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Neely and Brandon Jacobs
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Central Michigan

Pregame lineOver/under
CMU –12.055.5
FIU Panthers at Central Michigan Chippewas – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers01413027
Chippewas01002131

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 18,382
  • Referee: Jon Noli
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jim Barber and Randy Buffington
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Florida Atlantic

FIU Panthers at Florida Atlantic Owls – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers7140021
Owls727101458

at FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida

Game information

Charlotte

Charlotte 49ers at FIU Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
49ers710141445
Panthers3372033

at Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida

Game information

Western Kentucky

Pregame lineOver/under
WKU –16.578 [4]
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FIU Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Hilltoppers01771034
Panthers660719

at Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Patrick Foy
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): A. J. Ricketts and Cam Lynch
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Marshall

FIU Panthers at Marshall Thundering Herd – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers00000
Thundering Herd3217738

at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, West Virginia

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 18,466
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (Stadium): Noah Coslov and Max Starks
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Old Dominion

Old Dominion Monarchs at FIU Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Monarchs24061747
Panthers1007724

at Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Jonathan Noil
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): A. J. Ricketts and Patrick Murray
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Middle Tennessee

FIU Panthers at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers300710
Blue Raiders7279750

at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST/2:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 48 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 10,606
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Jake Rose and Jeremy Kellum
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

North Texas

North Texas Mean Green at FIU Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Mean Green72814049
Panthers00707

at Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Rain, 50 °F (10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Kevin Vicknair
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): A. J. Ricketts and Patrick Murray
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Southern Miss

FIU Panthers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers773017
Golden Eagles21031337

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 61 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 20,041
  • Referee: Patrick Foy
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Baker and Dustin Almond
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

References

  1. Villa, Walter (November 25, 2021). "There is at least one thing - potentially - that is positive out of FIU's season". Miami Herald . Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  2. "C-USA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish For 2021". Conference USA. July 19, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  3. "2021 FIU Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. "WKU Hilltoppers vs FIU Panthers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 23, 2021.