CFB Bowl Preview 2025: SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
By Rory Daniels
Bowl season is in full swing, and we will be previewing every bowl game this year. This year’s Servpro First Responder Bowl will be contested between FIU Golden Panthers and UTSA Roadrunners. Let’s take a look at the key matchups.
Where and When
Location: Gerald J Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Date: Thursday December 26
Time: 7pm ET / 12am GMT
Story So Far...
You have to go back to 2018, under the guidance of Butch Davis, when FIU last had a winning record. So, it was quite an achievement that Willie Simmons came straight in from Florida A&M (via Duke as their running backs coach) and helped the Panthers go 7-5 (5-3 in conference play). The offense has an explosive element, ranking fifth nationally for runs over 20 yards. Excitement is building under Simmons, and they ended the year on a four-match winning streak. Can they keep that going here?
Since taking over in 2020, Jeff Traylor hasn’t had a losing season as Head Coach of the UTSA Roadrunners. This team has been a tale of two sides of the ball. The offense has been highly efficient, with the defense failing to keep pace. They played Texas A&M hard in the season opener, and the highlight result was a home win over Tulane. Traylor has won his last two bowl games and would love to add to that in 2025.
The Quarterbacks
There will be some question marks over who will start at QB for FIU. Keyone Jenkins led the team in pass attempts, but groin and rib injuries meant backup Joe Pesansky saw plenty of playing time. Simmons expects to have both available, but it’s Jenkins who offers the most. His ability to extend plays has been crucial for the Panthers offense.
There is a familiar name at QB for UTSA. Josh McCown’s son, Owen, transferred from Colorado and is now in his third year with the Roadrunners. He had an excellent season in 2025, throwing for 2,700 yards, 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. His highlight game was vs Tulane, where he threw four touchdowns. The left-handed pocket-passer would love to repeat that on a big stage.
Who to Watch
Florida International
Kejon Owens, Running Back
Owens was the Conference USA Player of the Year, the first Panthers player to win that accolade. The speed back averages over 108 yards per game and over 6 yards per carry. He and Jenkins had 16 touchdowns combined on the ground, and UTSA will need to find an answer to slow them down.
UTSA
Nnanna Anyanwu, Edge Rusher
The 6’5, 240lbs sophomore edge rusher has flashed plenty of potential early in the year, but failed to continue to bolster his stats in the second half of the season. He led the team with five sacks; however, three of those came in one game vs. Colorado State. The Roadrunners are set to be without plenty of defensive talent and will need players like Anyanwu to stand up.
Prediction
UTSA is a 5.5-point favourite in this one, but Jeff Traylor was pretty despondent about the number of players he will likely be without. For that reason, I think the rejuvenated Panthers under Willie Simmons can pull off the upset.
FIU 34-28 UTSA
Rory-Joe Daniels
COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYST
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.