Upcoming Event: Football at FIU on September 13, 2025 at 6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Football
at FIU
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Saturday, August 30
Austin, Texas
7:00 PM
Florida Atlantic
0-1
10
at
52
Texas
1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
FAU
0
10
0
0
10
Texas
14
14
14
10
52
Owls Fall to Longhorns in 2008 Season Opener
8/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 30, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - FAU tried to capitalize on a young Texas defense,but the No. 11 Longhorns used a powerful veteran offense to defeat the Owls 52-10 in the season opener for both teams.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy never wavered as Texas ran up a 28-10 halftime lead. His third touchdown pass made it 42-10 and he left early in the fourth quarter with 222 yards on 24-of-29 passing. He also had 103 yards rushing on 12 carries.
McCoy moved the Longhorns with ease, completing his first 13 passes, tossing TDs of 2 and 9 yards to Chris Ogbannaya and Jordan Shipley in the first quarter. Twice he was hit hard late on the drive that ended with Shipley's TD and his 2-yard TD run in the second quarter made it 28-3.
The Texas defense still has plenty to work out.
The secondary that ranked No. 109 against the pass last season started two freshmen at safety and the inexperience showed as Owls quarterback Rusty Smith passed for 226 yards in the first half. Florida Atlantic's first two drives got inside the Texas 20 before both ended in turnovers with a fumbled snap and an interception.
One of the freshmen, Earl Thomas, was burned for several big plays and a touchdown, but also caused the interception with a tipped pass and blocked a punt in the third quarter to set up another touchdown.
Smith, last season's Sun Belt Conference player of the year, finished with 253 yards passing and a touchdown pass to Rob Housler, but was pulled in the third quarter.
Texas has scored at least 50 points in a season opener five of the last six years.
Team Stats
FAU
UT
Total Yards
292
503
Pass Yards
255
271
Rushing Yards
37
232
Penalty Yards
60
110
1st Downs
13
31
3rd Downs
6
7
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
24:46
35:14
1st Quarter
FAU 0, UT 7
UT - Johnson, Cody 1 yd run (Lawrence, Hunte kick), 8 plays, 61 yards, TOP 2:57
FAU 0, UT 14
UT - Ogbonnaya, Chri 2 yd pass from McCoy, Colt (Lawrence, Hunte kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:26
2nd Quarter
FAU 3, UT 14
FAU - Leroy, Warley 31 yd field goal 8 plays, 46 yards, TOP 2:12
FAU 3, UT 21
UT - Shipley, Jordan 9 yd pass from McCoy, Colt (Lawrence, Hunte kick) 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:23
FAU 3, UT 28
UT - McCoy, Colt 2 yd run (Lawrence, Hunte kick), 8 plays, 52 yards, TOP 3:55
FAU 10, UT 28
FAU - Housler, Rob 20 yd pass from Smith, Rusty (Leroy, Warley kick) 5 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:45
3rd Quarter
FAU 10, UT 35
UT - McGee, Vondrell 7 yd run (Lawrence, Hunte kick), 4 plays, 70 yards, TOP 1:04
FAU 10, UT 42
UT - Irby, Blaine 5 yd pass from McCoy, Colt (Lawrence, Hunte kick) 4 plays, 17 yards, TOP 1:36
4th Quarter
FAU 10, UT 45
UT - Lawrence, Hunte 40 yd field goal 12 plays, 57 yards, TOP 4:49
FAU 10, UT 52
UT - Kirkendoll, Jam 29 yd pass from Chiles, John (Bailey, Ryan kick) 9 plays, 50 yards, TOP 3:28
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
15
TD
1
YDS
253
INT
1
CMP
2
TD
0
YDS
2
INT
0
Players Mentioned
TE
/ FootballQB
/ FootballAlex Atcavage Pads Off
Thursday, September 11
Easton Messer Wired for Sound
Thursday, September 11
Inside the Owls' Burrow S10, EP5
Wednesday, September 10
Inside The Owls' Burrow S10 Ep5 Trailer
Monday, September 08