The regular season finale in Conference USA pits the bowl-eligible Florida International Panthers (6-5, 4-3 CUSA) against the fading Sam Houston Bearkats (2-9, 1-6 CUSA) at Riccardo Silva Stadium. FIU, surging under first-year coach Bobby Lamb, eyes a strong finish and potential Bahamas or Hawaii Bowl berth after a midseason turnaround. The Bearkats, struggling in year two of FBS life under Will Wade, desperately seek a second conference win to avoid back-to-back 2-9 campaigns. The Panthers’ efficient passing game (top-40 nationally) should carve up Sam Houston’s depleted secondary, but the Kats’ ground-and-pound desperation could grind out a trap—expect South Florida heat, purple pride, and a first-ever CUSA meeting in Miami.
Venue Location
The action takes place at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. This 20,000-seat on-campus haven, opened in 1995 and renovated in 2017, features a vibrant student section and the “Golden Panthers” roar. It’s Sam Houston’s “road” venue (a 1,200-mile trek from Huntsville, Texas), where FIU boasts a 4-2 home record in 2025—ideal for senior day under the palm trees.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network (primary), with streaming on CBSSports.com and Fubo. Radio: FIU’s 90.5 FM (Golden Panther Sports Network); Sam Houston’s 90.5 FM (Bearkat Sports Network).
Weather Updates
Miami’s late-November vibe stays tropically mild, favoring offenses and fan comfort. Forecast: Partly cloudy with highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 72°F (22°C). Winds: Light 5-10 mph from the east-southeast, with 10% chance of isolated showers in the afternoon. Humidity ~75%, but the grass field (Bermuda) drains quickly—no disruptions expected, boosting FIU’s tempo (top-50 pace).
Injury Report
FIU’s depth has stabilized post-midseason, but Sam Houston’s backfield is battered from a grueling slate. Updates as of November 27.
FIU Panthers:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Keyone Nixon | QB | Probable | Shoulder (mild vs. Liberty; full throws) | Starter (2,400 yds, 18 TDs); efficient 62% comp.—Panthers 5-1 with Nixon 200+ yds. |
| D’Jaimi Harris | RB | Questionable | Ankle (limited vs. Jax State) | Lead rusher (750 yds, 8 TDs); thins rotation in top-60 ground game (140 YPG). |
| Shomari Dennis | WR | Out | Knee (midseason) | Deep threat (35 rec, 550 yds); shifts targets to slots amid 40th-ranked passing. |
| Myles VanDyke | OL | Probable | Lower body (rotated last two) | Tackle; upgraded—O-line allowed 25 sacks (90th). |
Overall: Six limited per CUSA reports; secondary intact (top-50 TO margin).
Sam Houston Bearkats:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Donovan Williams | QB | Doubtful | Concussion (vs. Kennesaw State; protocol) | Starter (1,900 yds, 12 TDs); if out, junior backup drops efficiency—Kats 1-5 with 3+ TOs. |
| Tahj Washington | RB | Out | Knee (season-ending, Oct. 18) | Workhorse (600 yds, 6 TDs); committee averages 3.1 YPC in 120th-ranked rush. |
| Jaylon McKinney | CB | Questionable | Hamstring (limited vs. Liberty) | Coverage DB (2 INTs); strains secondary (bottom-20 pass D, 300 yds allowed/game). |
| Isaiah Averhart | WR | Probable | Shoulder (full practice) | Primary target (40 rec, 600 yds); key chain-mover. |
Overall: 12 players limited/out; front seven gassed (bottom-30 havoc).
Player Matchups
FIU’s athleticism (top-40 SP+ offense) exploits Sam Houston’s woes (bottom-50 defense). Key battles:
FIU QB Keyone Nixon (probable) vs. Sam Houston Secondary (Jaylon McKinney questionable): Nixon’s rhythm (18 TDs) dissects zones. Kats’ DBs rank bottom-20 efficiency but snag picks (10 INTs). Edge: Nixon—Panthers 4-1 avoiding TOs; Sam Houston allows 280 pass yds/game.
Sam Houston QB (TBD) vs. FIU Pass Rush: Backup’s inexperience faces Panthers’ edges (top-50 sacks, 28 total). Edge: FIU—Kats 0-6 sacked 3+ times.
FIU RB D’Jaimi Harris (questionable) vs. Sam Houston Front Seven: Harris’ burst (750 yds) tests LBs. Kats stuff middling (120th run D). Edge: Harris—FIU 5-0 with 130+ rush yds.
Sam Houston WR Isaiah Averhart (probable) vs. FIU CB (Myles VanDyke probable on line): Averhart’s YAC (600 yds) meets shutdown coverage. Edge: FIU—Panthers top-40 passer rating allowed.
Recent Team Forms
FIU Panthers: Lamb’s squad peaked with a 31-24 W over Jax State (Nov. 16), extending streak—Nixon-Harris duo torched (350 total yds/game). D opportunistic (13 TOs). Morale: Bowl lock—4-1 ATS home.
Sam Houston Bearkats: Wade’s Kats faltered 28-17 at Liberty (Nov. 23), scoring 16 PPG in skid amid QB flux. Turnovers kill (16 given). Morale: Spoiler mode—1-4 ATS road.
Series History
First-ever meeting in FBS (Sam Houston’s CUSA debut ’24, but no prior tilt). Neutral: N/A. Trends: N/A, but FIU 4-1 vs. sub-.300; Sam Houston 1-8 road.
Betting Trends
FIU: 6-5 ATS (54.5%); 3-2 ATS as 10+ home favorites. 7-4 O/U; overs in 5/6 home. 5-1 SU as fave (83.3%). Vs. CUSA: 4-3 SU/ATS.
Sam Houston: 4-7 ATS (36.4%); 2-4 ATS as 10+ road dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 4/7 away. 1-9 SU as underdog (10%). First CUSA road: 0-3 ATS.
Matchup Trends: Limited; favorites 5-1 SU in FIU home openers vs. new foes. Overs 7/10 CUSA finales (avg. 54 pts). Advanced: FPI gives FIU 78% win prob. FIU 40th offensive SP+; Sam Houston 115th overall.
Game Odds
Florida International Panthers – 11
Sam Houston Bearkats 51
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
