FIU Football: QB Keyone Jenkins is Maturing Quickly

The FIU Panthers are 3-0 under freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins. The Miami Central High School product has already thrown for 867 yards, five touchdowns and

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The FIU Panthers are 3-0 under freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins. The Miami Central High School product has already thrown for 867 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

His teammates have noticed.

"He's a playmaker. He's a magician, almost, in my opinion,"  wide receiver Dean Patterson said this week. "Kind of made some sneaky plays, especially when a play breaks down...I'm really proud of Keyone and how far he's grown on and off the field. I really hope he continues to thrive in this position."

Was impressed with Keyone Jenkins QB debut on Saturday. 292 yards on 15 passes - those numbers will typically generate more points and I think exciting things are in store from the freshman.

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— AJ Ricketts (@AJRicketts) September 6, 2023

Jenkins' maturity and decision making abilities are a big reason why the team has found this early success. 

In his first start of the season against Maine, Jenkins showed this skill when he changed the play at the line of scrimmage to a hitch-and-go to wide receiver Kris Mitchell. Jenkins' audible worked and the Panthers had themselves a touchdown.

"Coach Yost was always telling me, if you write the check, you gotta cash it," Jenkins said of that win. "I was a thousand percent sure I was going to cash that, if you ask me."

Jenkins' performance helped Kris Mitchell accumulate 201 receiving yards and two-touchdowns in that Maine game. That paved the way for Mitchell to earn Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Mitchell was the first since the 2019 season to win a CUSA player of the week award.

"We've been working since spring last year," said Mitchell of building chemistry with his freshman quarterback. "He's been keeping his head down, staying focused. In practice we hit any shots in practice...I know we could in the games is, but that's what we did."

Jenkins kept this momentum going against UConn this weekend with three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in a 24-17 win. His Panthers will look to make it four consecutive victories on Saturday when they host CUSA newcomer Liberty.