Let’s be real: when you think of massive college football rivalries, your mind probably jumps to the Iron Bowl or the Buckeyes and Wolverines. But if you’re from South Florida, there is a specific, sweltering kind of intensity that only comes when the FIU Panthers football vs Florida Atlantic Owls football matchup rolls around. They call it the Shula Bowl. It isn’t just a game; it’s a weirdly personal scrap for geographical relevance between two schools separated by an hour of bumper-to-bumper I-95 traffic.
Honestly, for a long time, the rivalry felt like it was leaning a bit too hard in one direction. FAU had this suffocating seven-game winning streak that made the "rivalry" label feel a little generous. That changed on September 13, 2025.
In a game that basically reset the narrative, FIU managed to claw back the Don Shula Award with a 38-28 victory at Pitbull Stadium. Yeah, you read that right—Pitbull Stadium. If that isn't the most Miami thing to happen to college sports, I don't know what is.
The Night the Streak Snapped
Heading into the 2025 meeting, the vibes in Boca Raton were pretty confident. Why wouldn't they be? The Owls had owned this series for nearly a decade. But football is fickle. The game was actually delayed by two hours because of the weather—standard Florida—and by the time they kicked off, the atmosphere was electric despite the puddles.
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Kejon Owens basically took the game into his own hands. He rushed for a career-high 173 yards and two scores, looking like he was playing at a different speed than everyone else on the turf. FIU’s quarterback, Keyone Jenkins, was remarkably efficient, too. He didn’t just manage the game; he moved into third place all-time in passing yardage for the program during the win.
A Tale of Two Halves
- First Half: It was a back-and-forth slugfest. Caden Veltkamp, the FAU signal-caller, looked sharp early, throwing scores to Easton Messer and Xavier Terrell. The Owls actually went into the locker room with a 21-17 lead.
- The Third Quarter Meltdown: This is where the wheels fell off for FAU. FIU outscored them 21-0 in the third quarter alone.
- The Turning Point: Anthony Carrie’s 1-yard plunge capped off an 85-yard drive that basically sucked the air out of the FAU sideline.
Veltkamp finished with over 340 passing yards, which looks great on paper, but his three interceptions were the literal nail in the coffin. You just can't turn the ball over that much in a rivalry game and expect to keep the trophy.
Why the Shula Name?
If you're new to the area or just tuning in, you might wonder why it's named after Don Shula. It’s not just because he’s a legend in the 305. The connection is actually pretty cool. The first head coach at FIU was Don Strock, who played quarterback under Shula for the Dolphins. On the other side, FAU’s inaugural coach was Howard Schnellenberger, who was Shula’s offensive coordinator during that legendary 1972 perfect season.
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The lineage is there. Even though the schools are relatively young—FAU started in 2001 and FIU in 2002—the history is baked into the coaching trees.
Florida Atlantic still leads the all-time series 17-5. That's a huge gap. But if you ask any Panther fan, they'll tell you the tide is finally turning. The 2022 blowout where FAU won 52-7 felt like rock bottom for FIU, making this recent 2025 win feel like a massive validation for head coach Mike MacIntyre’s program building.
What's Next for the Rivalry?
Looking ahead, the 2026 Shula Bowl is already circled on the calendar for September 19th. It’s moving back to Boca Raton, where the Owls will be playing at Flagler Credit Union Stadium. You've gotta imagine the Owls are going to be out for blood.
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The dynamic has shifted now that both teams aren't always in the same conference—FAU is holding it down in the American Athletic Conference while FIU stays in Conference USA—but they've inked deals to keep this game happening through at least 2027.
Key Factors for the 2026 Matchup
- Quarterback Development: Can Keyone Jenkins maintain his composure in a hostile road environment? He's a local kid who chose FIU over Power Four offers, so the pressure is always on.
- The Ground Game: If Kejon Owens is still in that backfield, FAU has to find a way to stop the zone run that shredded them last time.
- Home Field: FAU Stadium (or Flagler Credit Union Stadium) is a tough place to play when the "Beach Boys" are loud.
The FIU Panthers football vs Florida Atlantic owls football game has always been about more than just the box score. It’s about which school gets to claim they own the talent-rich corridor of South Florida. For now, the trophy sits in Miami.
If you’re planning on attending the 2026 game, buy your tickets early. These games are increasingly selling out as both programs find their footing in the NIL era. Keep an eye on the transfer portal this winter; that’s where the next Shula Bowl hero is likely going to come from. Check the official athletic sites for FIU and FAU in late August for the most accurate kickoff times and local broadcast details.