CUSA Notebook: FIU bowl eligible, WKU defense shines, LA Tech storms back

FIU bowl eligible for first time since 2019

Willie Simmons is already looking like one of the best hires of last year’s coaching cycle. FIU never won more than four games from 2020 to 2025, but in year one at the helm, Simmons has the Panthers bowl eligible at 6-5 — sealing its first postseason appearance in six years. With one more victory, FIU can clinch its first winning season since 2018.

Winning six games is impressive enough for FIU, but who the Panthers beat is the most impressive part. They started the season strong with their first Shula Bowl rivalry win over Florida Atlantic since 2016, and the success sustained to conference play. FIU knocked off WKU 25-6 on the road and then upset Jacksonville State 27-21 this past weekend, handing the Gamecocks their first conference loss of 2025. There is a possibility WKU and Jax State are the two teams in the CUSA Championship Game, and FIU upended both. FIU is now 3-0 with Joe Pesansky as the starting quarterback, and the Panthers can win a fourth-straight game to conclude the regular season at Sam Houston this coming Saturday.

WKU defense nearly pulls Death Valley upset

Many revere Saturday night in Death Valley as one of the premier atmospheres in college football. Western Kentucky entered Baton Rouge completely unfazed and fell just short of an upset. LSU prevailed 13-10 over the Hilltoppers, but WKU’s defense did enough to emerge victorious.

LSU didn’t notch its first points until 1:32 remained in the first half, and if WKU’s offense converted a 4th and 1 at the LSU 38-yard line roughly 90 seconds earlier, the Hilltoppers likely would have produced a first half shutout. The Tigers’ only other scoring drives all night were short field goal drives — a 21-yard series after WKU threw an interception and a 40-yard series at the beginning of the fourth quarter. But overall, the Hilltoppers tackled and covered at a high level, forcing seven LSU punts on the night.

WKU’s defense was also the Hilltoppers’ lone touchdown source. With a fraction over a minute remaining, LSU was ready to seal the game on third-and-short. However, true freshman inside linebacker Jordan Donald invaded the backfield and forced a fumble prior to the Tigers reaching the sticks. Cornerback Dylan Flowers recovered and raced for a 71-yard scoop-and-score, suddenly turning it into a 3-point game. Things would have been very interesting had WKU recovered the onside kick, but LSU prevented that what-if and sealed the narrow victory.

Louisiana Tech erases 21-point deficit for OT win

Louisiana Tech started the year on fire, posting a 4-1 record and looking the part of CUSA contenders. But the following five games featured an opposite 1-4 record, dropping two one-point heartbreakers and two blowouts to fall to 5-5. With bowl eligibility in balance, the Bulldogs desperately needed a November bounce-back.

Things looked dire when Louisiana Tech trailed Liberty 28-7 in the middle of the third quarter on senior day, but both sides of the Bulldogs suddenly ignited for an inspiring comeback. The defense came up with interceptions on three-straight drives. Then offensively, quarterback Trey Kukuk rushed for touchdowns of 29 and 31 yards in a 143-yard outing as Louisiana Tech knotted the game at 28 apiece with 7:05 remaining.

Louisiana Tech missed a 54-yard game-winner on the final play of regulation, but the Bulldogs received another shot in overtime. Once again, Liberty’s interception woes resurfaced as Ethan Vasko tossed his fourth pick in an 8-of-21 performance, with strong safety Jakari Foster snatching his second interception of the game. Needing any score for the win, Louisiana Tech wasted zero time. Running back Andrew Burnette took a direct snap on the Bulldogs’ first OT snap, and with some excellent blocking by the left side of the line, he emerged free for a 25-yard walk-off touchdown.