For the first time since 2022, the Florida International Panthers (1-0) opened the season with a win, doing so in blowout fashion against Bethune-Cookman (0-1) on Friday at Pitbull Stadium, 42-9.

It was the first game for new head coach Willie Simmons, who was hired for the job on Dec. 10, 2024, replacing Mike MacIntyre.

The game was delayed an hour and 15 minutes because of inclement weather in the area.

Bethune-Cookman jumped out to a 3-0 lead with 11:54 to play in the opening quarter, but it was all FIU from there.

The Panthers scored 28 unanswered points – with quarterback Keyone Jenkins completing 18 of his 30 passes for 187 yards.

FIU scored six rushing touchdowns on the night, totaling 223 yards on the ground and averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Simmons’ group will face a much t

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