Florida International Edges Out Jacksonville State in Thrilling Contest

Florida International Edges Out Jacksonville State in Thrilling Contest

**Florida International** emerged victorious over **Jacksonville State** in a hard-fought regular season matchup, with a final score of **Florida International 27, Jacksonville State 21**. The game showcased impressive offensive performances and a battle of wills between the two programs.

Key Individual Performances

**Florida International's** offense was fueled by a balanced attack. Quarterback **Joe Pesansky** threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with **Alex Perry** for a 64-yard touchdown reception. **Kejon Owens** led the rushing attack with 135 yards and a touchdown, providing a significant ground threat for **Florida International**. Defensively, **Jessiah Mcgrew** led **Florida International** with 10 tackles, while **Josiah Taylor** added a sack.

**Jacksonville State** also had strong individual performances. **Caden Creel** threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball around to receivers. **Cam Cook** had a stellar day on the ground, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown. **Deondre Johnson** and **Pearson Baldwin** were key targets, each catching a touchdown pass. On defense, **Mac Sanders** led the team with eight tackles.

Turning Points

The game was filled with pivotal moments that swung the momentum. **Florida International's** defense started strong, with **D.Prater** sacking **Joe Pesansky** for a 14-yard loss in the 1st quarter. In the 4th quarter, **Joe Pesansky** connected with **Alex Perry** for a 64-yard touchdown pass, giving **Florida International** a crucial score. Shortly after, a **Jacksonville State** field goal attempt from 47 yards missed in the 1st quarter.

In the 4th quarter, **Kejon Owens** had a 45-yard run that set up a scoring opportunity for **Florida International**. **Caden Creel** connected with **Cam Cook** for a 43-yard pass play in the 4th quarter, keeping **Jacksonville State** in the game. **N.Grant** kicked a 42-yard field goal in the 4th quarter to give **Florida International** a valuable lead.

Several negative plays also impacted the game. In the 2nd quarter, **Cam Cook** had a 6-yard loss, and in the same quarter, **Kejon Owens** lost 4 yards. **Caden Creel** was sacked for a 4-yard loss in the 4th quarter, and **Joe Pesansky** was sacked for a 3-yard loss in the 3rd quarter. These plays highlight the defensive efforts of both teams.

Looking Ahead

**Florida International** will look to build on this victory as they continue their season. Their balanced offensive attack and defensive play will be key in their future contests. **Jacksonville State**, despite the loss, showed resilience and individual brilliance. They will need to address the key plays that hurt them, as they look forward to their next game. Both teams will likely analyze this game to improve their strategies moving forward in the season.