FAU takes advantage of turnovers, poor run game in 16-10 Shula Bowl win over FIU

The Don Shula Bowl ended in another frustrating loss for the FIU Panthers, falling 16-10 to the FAU Owls. Much like their season-opening loss to USF, the Panthers were once again their own worst enemy, with turnovers and an inability to establish the run leading to the disappointing result.

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Quarterback JJ Kohl threw interceptions on each of the Panthers’ first three drives, immediately digging FIU (1-2) in a major hole. Despite the offensive struggles, a stout defense kept the Panthers within striking distance, allowing FAU (2-1) to score only 10 points off those three turnovers.

After the game, Panthers head coach Willie Simmons pointed to the Panthers’ struggles running the football as a major reason for the offensive issues and Kohl’s tendency to press.

“When you can’t run the ball, as a quarterback, you feel as though you have to go win the game on your own. The message for JJ has remained the same, drive the car. But right now that car has a flat tire, the run game is a flat tire.”

FIU’s run game once again struggled, finishing with just 95 yards on 35 carries for a measly 2.7 yards per carry.

Simmons has repeatedly emphasized the importance of establishing the run, knowing that asking Kohl to throw 40-plus times a game is not sustainable and is “not our idea of excellence offensively.”

Despite the disastrous start, FIU entered halftime trailing just 10-7 and received the opening kickoff to begin the third quarter. Considering how poorly the Panthers opened the game, being within a field goal at halftime felt like a miracle.

Simmons credited his defense for keeping FIU in the game.

“Another lights-out performance by those guys, we’re going to need them to continue to play well until we figure things out on offense.”

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That praise was justified, as they held FAU to just 1 for 4 in the red zone. The Owls managed only one touchdown and three field goals, highlighting FIU’s “bend-but-don’t-break” mentality and keeping the Panthers within striking distance despite their lack of rhythm offensively.

The fourth quarter arrived, and with it came the biggest opportunity of the night. FIU trailed by just six points, needing one touchdown to take the lead and retain the Don Shula Trophy.

When the Panthers needed a big play, Kohl had one target on his mind: wide receiver Maguire Anderson. Anderson lead FIU with eight receptions for 139 yards. Two of those receptions went for 41 yards and 24 yards on the final two drives of the game, positioning the Panthers to make a late push.

But every opportunity eventually slipped away.

FIU was given three chances to take the lead with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and all three drives ended with turnovers on downs. The final opportunity came as time expired, when Kohl launched a Hail Mary that sailed through the back of the end zone, officially ending FIU’s comeback attempt.

For a team that opened the night with three interceptions on its first three drives, simply having a chance to win in the final minutes was remarkable. But that might be what makes this loss sting the most.

And with the loss came the return of the Don Shula Trophy to Boca Raton.

FAU now leads the all-time series 18-6, reclaiming the trophy after FIU took it for the first time in nearly a decade last season. The Panthers will leave Boca Raton knowing they let another opportunity slip through their hands, but Simmons believes the season is far from over.

“Overall the goal is to win the conference, and we still have a chance to do that, so despite losing this game, there’s still something out there for us to chase.”

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 10:19 AM.