Shula Bowl: FIU QB Jenkins Doesn't See Florida Atlantic As A Rival

The Panthers starting quarterback is not a believer in the Shula Bowl rivalry

FIU Athletics

MIAMI, FL - Following the FIU 52-16 victory over Central Michigan, sophomore quarterback Keyone Jenkins who threw two passing touchdowns and scored one rushing touchdown spoke a bit about the Florida Atlantic Owls, who the Panthers will play in the 22nd edition of the Shula Bowl this weekend.

"A couple years ago, it was a rivalry until they left the conference," said Jenkins. "Coach Mac takes this game serious and he didn't like how they beat up on us a couple years ago. It's not a revenge game, but we gotta go out there and execute."

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FIU currently rides a six-game losing streak against Florida Atlantic and to Jenkins' point, it hasn't felt like a rivalry to some in recent years.

"I don't really see those guys as a rival," said Jenkins. "No disrespect, it's just I don't see too much of a rivalry in college football unless it's teams like Ohio State/Michigan where it's big, but I don't think so."

The Owls open as 6.5-point favorites over the Panthers. FIU has not defeated the Owls in Boca Raton since 2012. Under head coach Mike MacIntyre, FIU fell to FAU in 2022 by a final score of 52-7 when the Owls headed down to Miami.