FCS Victories Over FBS: Jacksonville State Beats FIU

Jacksonville State beat Florida International 19-10 Friday night, to notch the first FCS over FBS victory of the season.  Jacksonville State is 3-1. 

In this ‘Rona-disrupted season there have not been nearly as many of the FCS versus FBS games as there normally are.  Not that many FCS outfits are even playing, as many teams and conferences have either cancelled or postponed, threatening to play in the winter/spring of 2021.

To add insult to injury, Florida International has yet to win this year and stands at 0-3.  Their two previous losses were by a total of 5 points.

The listed attendance for this regional battle at FIU was 1,041 hardy souls, which most likely represents the hardest core of FIU supporters.

The statistics for this game make things look even worse for FIU.  The Butch Davis coached squad was held to six first downs and 156 yards of total offense.  Jacksonville State had 26 first downs and 444 yards of total offense.  However, they settled for four Alen Karajic field goals of 30, 39, 20, and 23 yards.  That bend, but not break, defense might be something for FIU to hang their hats on.

Jacksonville State is normally tough, having won the Ohio Valley five years in a row before regressing last year.  The Gamecocks also have a fairly recent national championship game appearance to their credit, having been the national runner-up for the 2015 season.  FIU has been no slouch either, having gone to a bowl game the last three years in a row.  Additionally, the C-USA Panthers beat Miami last year.

This game was originally scheduled to be the first game of the year for each team, but was postponed until last Friday.

No more games are on the 2020 slate for Jacksonville State.  Florida International hosts nationally ranked Marshall this weekend.

Keep posted right here for further FCS victories over FBS teams in the future.