FAU Rally Falls Short in Football Loss to North Texas

Saturday, September 29

Boca Raton, FL

5:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

1-4 , 0-2

North Texas

2-3 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

FAU

9/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Sept. 29, 2012

Final Stats

For photos visit OwlPix.com

Final Stats

Pelini on Defense's Play

Pelini on Improvement's from First Conference Game

Fortner, Reaser on Game

Boca Raton, FL - Two touchdowns scored with a 1:12 time span of the second half wasn't enough as the Florida Atlantic University football team suffered a 20-14 loss to the University of North Texas in Sun Belt Conference action on Saturday at the FAU Stadium.

After trailing 17-0, FAU's offense erupted in the final minute of the third quarter and first minute of the fourth period. The first touchdown came on the team's third trip into scoring territory. Junior running back Damian Fortner capped a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive with an 11-yard scamper to the right corner of the end zone.

Then, junior defensive back Keith Reaser intercepted a Derek Thompson pass on the first play of the fourth quarter. One play later, senior quarterback Graham Wilbert broke away and scored on an 11-yard scamper. The extra point cut the Owls' deficit to 17-14 early in the final period.

North Texas (2-3, 1-1 Sun Belt) came back to score a 28-yard field goal by Zach Olen with 7:29 remaining to build the six-point lead.

FAU could never threaten in the final minutes.

The visitors went to the air to grab an early lead as Thompson hooked up with Brelan Chancellor for a 68-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter. Later, Olen kicked a 48-yard field to give the Mean Green a 10-0 advantage with 12:15 remaining in the first half.

Thompson would hook up with Drew Miller for a 14-yard touchdown reception at the 5:03 mark in the third quarter, giving North Texas the 17-0 advantage before the Owls' late rally.

Fortner led the FAU offensive attack with 63 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver William Dukes had six receptions, while senior Byron Hankerson and junior Daniel McKinney each caught four passes.

Defensively, junior linebacker Adarius Glanton made a game-high 12 tackles for the Owls. Senior linebacker David Hinds had 11 stops, including three tackles for loss.

FAU (1-4, 0-2 Sun Belt) returns to the field on Saturday, October 13, at 8 p.m. at ULM. The game will be televised on the Sun Belt Network (CSS).