FIU coach Mike MacIntyre is optimistic that starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins will be ready to play on Tuesday night when the Panthers play host to Sam Houston State in a Conference USA game.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be telecast by ESPNU.
Jenkins was hurt last Wednesday night when FIU lost 30-21 at Texas-El Paso. After throwing an interception, Jenkins made a diving attempt at a tackle. He missed the tackle and landed on his left (throwing) shoulder.
“We believe Keyone will be able to play,” MacIntyre said. “He is bruised, but there’s nothing permanently damaged.”
MacIntyre said backup quarterback Amari Jones, who took a blindside sack against UTEP and was forced to leave the game, is also OK. Jones has a sprained left (non-throwing) shoulder.
This Tuesday will be a big game for FIU (2-5, 1-2), which needs to win four of its final five games to become bowl eligible.
Sam Houston State is much improved at 5-1, 2-0. Last season, in the Bearkats’ first year as an FBS program, they went 3-9, 2-6.
Here are five takeaways in advance of Tuesday’s game:
1. TOUGH BEARKATS
Sam Houston State, which is coming off a bye week, is 2-1 on the road. That includes a 41-21 win over UTEP, the team that just beat FIU.
The Bearkats are 9½-point favorites against FIU.
2. BUSY GUY
Panthers safety JoJo Evans is coming off a game in which he had a career-high 19 tackles and a forced fumble.
The 19 tackles are tied for the third-most in FIU history, and Evans said he never had that many -- even in high school.
Evans also said FIU’s coaches put him “more in the game plan” in run support last week, which explains his high tackle total.
Asked how his body felt after that game, Evans said: “My shoulders were a little heavier than usual. But I can’t complain. I want a lot on my plate. I just had to get into the ice tub.”
3. BUSY GUY, PART 2
Evans also had a near interception that might have gone for a touchdown had he made the catch.
“I was in man coverage, and I got my eyes on the receiver,” Evans said. “I knew they were coming at me, and I undercut the receiver.”
Of the drop, Evans said: “I have to bring the ball back in and go for six. That could’ve been a momentum-changer. That’s the type of play you lose sleep over.
“Maybe I need to hit the JUGS machine more. I need to focus more because – in my mind -- I already had the touchdown. The receiver got a hand on me. But that’s no excuse.”
4. SHORT WEEK
The Panthers didn’t land back in Miami until 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.
“Our coaches didn’t go to sleep,” MacIntyre said. “They stayed up and worked all day.”
5. STILL HUSTLING
On the interception play that got Jenkins injured, FIU running back Kejon Owens ran all the way back to make the tackle at the 10-yard line.
Indeed, Owens saved the touchdown, and FIU held UTEP to a field goal.
Said MacIntyre: “I was impressed with his effort.”
Similarly, MacIntyre said there’s no quit in his team, even after lackluster losses to rival Florida Atlantic; to FCS squad Monmouth; and to a UTEP team that had lost nine straight games.
“We have to get up and go again,” MacIntyre said. “We’re not where we wanted to be, but we have to remain positive. We can still take advantage of what’s ahead of us.
“The only way we’re not successful is if we just quit. But our players are not doing that. We (as coaches are) not doing that.
“I still love this team. We’re improved in so many areas. We just haven’t gotten it done on the scoreboard as much as we’d like.”
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