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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Defining Moments Leading to FAU's 100th Win
11/24/2019 1:37:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University defeated UTSA, 40-26, in the Alamodome on Saturday, marking its 100th win in program history.
The Owls (8-3, 6-1 Conference USA) cruised to 526 yards of offense, 182 of which coming from Harrison Bryant – a career high in receiving yards for the tight end. Running backs Malcolm Davidson, James Charles and BJ Emmons all found the end zone; Emmons, playing in his first game since the season opener, lead the pack with two.
The win moved FAU into sole possession of first place in C-USA's East Division.
Cornerback Meiko Dotson corralled his sixth interception of the season – fourth most in FBS. Linebacker Rashad Smith contributed six tackles (two for a loss), a sack and a fumble recovery.
The win was a defining moment for FAU, a program that has had many in its brief existence. Here's a look at some others:
FIRST WIN
On August 29, 2000, FAU held its first ever football practice. Coach Howard Schnellenberger's team made history again 375 days later. FAU defeated Bethune-Cookman, 31-28, on Sept. 8, 2001, its first win in program history. Up three with seconds remaining, FAU stymied the Wildcats' offense and forced a field-goal attempt. The kick went awry, and the Owls' celebration began. Quarterback Jared Allen tossed two touchdowns and ran for another in the win over No. 22-ranked Bethune. Safety Taurian Osborne scored on a 99-yard fumble return.
FIRST PLAYOFF WIN
It didn't take long for FAU to reach postseason success – three years, to be exact. On Nov. 29, 2003, FAU conquered Bethune-Cookman for its first Division I-AA playoff win. The Owls won behind an opportunistic defensive effort. Linebacker Quentin Swain recovered two fumbles; defensive lineman Johnnie Sloan grabbed one of his own. Defensive backs Jerrell Terry and Willie Hughley both snagged interceptions.
FIRST DIVISION I WIN
FAU started 2003, the year it won its first playoff game, on a similarly high note. The Owls went on the road to upset Middle Tennessee in their season opener, marking the program's first Division I-A win, in the program's 22nd game. Down 19-7 midway through the fourth quarter, Allen threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to receiver Roosevelt Bynes, cutting FAU's deficit to five. The Owls then forced a three-and-out, giving the offense a chance to take the lead with under two minutes left. FAU relied on a familiar connection to do exactly that. Allen evaded the rush and hit Bynes again (his sixth catch of the game and third on that drive); Bynes made a defender miss, then raced down the sideline for game-winning 62-yard score.
FIRST OVERTIME WIN
FAU traveled nearly 5,000 miles for its 2004 season opener at Hawaii. The game, fittingly, was also lengthy. The Owls trailed by nine to start the fourth quarter but evened the score with 23 seconds left on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Anthony Crissinger-Hill. The game then went into overtime – and FAU kept its momentum. Running back Doug Parker opened the period with a seven-yard rushing score and Hawaii couldn't muster a response, resulting in FAU's first overtime win.
FIRST POWER FIVE WIN
Quarterback Rusty Smith's career-best performance led to one of FAU's most historic victories. On Sept. 15, 2007, Smith gashed Minnesota for 463 passing yards and five touchdowns, pushing the Owls to their first win over a Power Five opponent. The game was a shootout – 42-39 – but the Owls' defense still made plenty of winning plays. Cornerback Tavious Polo intercepted an FAU-record three passes – and that was less than half the amount (seven) his team totaled on the afternoon.
FIRST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Troy entered the 2007 season as the defending Sun Belt Conference champion, while FAU was still developing in its third year in Division I-A. But the teams' pasts didn't matter on Dec. 1, 2007. With a 5-1 conference record, FAU traveled to Troy, Alabama to battle the Trojans, who were undefeated through six conference games. The victor of that game would also be crowned Sun Belt champions. FAU, powered by 19 third-quarter points, played its way into the history books with a 38-32 win. Linebacker Kris Bartels sparked FAU's defense by recovering two fumbles. Smith passed for 293 yards and two scores.
FIRST BOWL WIN
After defeating Troy for the Sun Belt title, FAU had a chance at another milestone: its first bowl win. FAU battled Memphis in the 2007 New Orleans Bowl, under the bright lights of the Louisiana Superdome. The spotlight, however, didn't deter the Owls' focus. FAU dominated the Tigers, 44-27, behind a 336-yard, five-touchdown passing performance from Smith. Linebacker Frantz Joseph also had a dominant showing, logging 10 tackles (two for a loss), a pass breakup and a sack.
FIRST WIN IN FAU STADIUM
For the first 10 years of FAU football, students had to travel off campus to root for their team. That changed with the 2011 opening of FAU Stadium. And in the Owls' first on-campus victory (38-35 over UAB on Nov. 26, 2011), running back Alfred Morris had his best collegiate performance. Morris ran for 198 yards and four touchdowns, the former setting a program high and the latter tying Parker's 2001 record. Defensive back Treon Howard nabbed a 23-yard pick-six on UAB's first play from scrimmage.
FIRST C-USA WIN
The Owls' introduction to Conference USA was one to remember – a 37-23 road win over UAB on Oct. 5, 2013. Quarterback Jaquez Johnson amassed 410 total yards, scoring two touchdowns through the air and adding another on the ground. Running back Jonathan Wallace totaled 117 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own. That was the first time FAU had two 100-yard rushers in one game. FAU controlled the clock all afternoon; it held a 11:20 time-of-possession advantage by gaining 280 rushing yards to UAB's 51.
FIRST C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP
FAU's last conference game of 2017 was a microcosm of the seven before. The Owls dominated visiting North Texas, 41-17, securing an 8-0 sweep over C-USA competition that season. Running back Devin Singletary dazzled with 164 yards and three touchdowns – and even that wasn't enough to win the MVP award. Receiver Kalib Woods won the honors by amassing a program-record 208 yards on six catches. Safety Jalen Young registered seven tackles and two interceptions in the win as well.
The Owls (8-3, 6-1 Conference USA) cruised to 526 yards of offense, 182 of which coming from Harrison Bryant – a career high in receiving yards for the tight end. Running backs Malcolm Davidson, James Charles and BJ Emmons all found the end zone; Emmons, playing in his first game since the season opener, lead the pack with two.
The win moved FAU into sole possession of first place in C-USA's East Division.
Cornerback Meiko Dotson corralled his sixth interception of the season – fourth most in FBS. Linebacker Rashad Smith contributed six tackles (two for a loss), a sack and a fumble recovery.
The win was a defining moment for FAU, a program that has had many in its brief existence. Here's a look at some others:
FIRST WIN
On August 29, 2000, FAU held its first ever football practice. Coach Howard Schnellenberger's team made history again 375 days later. FAU defeated Bethune-Cookman, 31-28, on Sept. 8, 2001, its first win in program history. Up three with seconds remaining, FAU stymied the Wildcats' offense and forced a field-goal attempt. The kick went awry, and the Owls' celebration began. Quarterback Jared Allen tossed two touchdowns and ran for another in the win over No. 22-ranked Bethune. Safety Taurian Osborne scored on a 99-yard fumble return.
FIRST PLAYOFF WIN
It didn't take long for FAU to reach postseason success – three years, to be exact. On Nov. 29, 2003, FAU conquered Bethune-Cookman for its first Division I-AA playoff win. The Owls won behind an opportunistic defensive effort. Linebacker Quentin Swain recovered two fumbles; defensive lineman Johnnie Sloan grabbed one of his own. Defensive backs Jerrell Terry and Willie Hughley both snagged interceptions.
FIRST DIVISION I WIN
FAU started 2003, the year it won its first playoff game, on a similarly high note. The Owls went on the road to upset Middle Tennessee in their season opener, marking the program's first Division I-A win, in the program's 22nd game. Down 19-7 midway through the fourth quarter, Allen threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to receiver Roosevelt Bynes, cutting FAU's deficit to five. The Owls then forced a three-and-out, giving the offense a chance to take the lead with under two minutes left. FAU relied on a familiar connection to do exactly that. Allen evaded the rush and hit Bynes again (his sixth catch of the game and third on that drive); Bynes made a defender miss, then raced down the sideline for game-winning 62-yard score.
FIRST OVERTIME WIN
FAU traveled nearly 5,000 miles for its 2004 season opener at Hawaii. The game, fittingly, was also lengthy. The Owls trailed by nine to start the fourth quarter but evened the score with 23 seconds left on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Anthony Crissinger-Hill. The game then went into overtime – and FAU kept its momentum. Running back Doug Parker opened the period with a seven-yard rushing score and Hawaii couldn't muster a response, resulting in FAU's first overtime win.
FIRST POWER FIVE WIN
Quarterback Rusty Smith's career-best performance led to one of FAU's most historic victories. On Sept. 15, 2007, Smith gashed Minnesota for 463 passing yards and five touchdowns, pushing the Owls to their first win over a Power Five opponent. The game was a shootout – 42-39 – but the Owls' defense still made plenty of winning plays. Cornerback Tavious Polo intercepted an FAU-record three passes – and that was less than half the amount (seven) his team totaled on the afternoon.
FIRST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Troy entered the 2007 season as the defending Sun Belt Conference champion, while FAU was still developing in its third year in Division I-A. But the teams' pasts didn't matter on Dec. 1, 2007. With a 5-1 conference record, FAU traveled to Troy, Alabama to battle the Trojans, who were undefeated through six conference games. The victor of that game would also be crowned Sun Belt champions. FAU, powered by 19 third-quarter points, played its way into the history books with a 38-32 win. Linebacker Kris Bartels sparked FAU's defense by recovering two fumbles. Smith passed for 293 yards and two scores.
FIRST BOWL WIN
After defeating Troy for the Sun Belt title, FAU had a chance at another milestone: its first bowl win. FAU battled Memphis in the 2007 New Orleans Bowl, under the bright lights of the Louisiana Superdome. The spotlight, however, didn't deter the Owls' focus. FAU dominated the Tigers, 44-27, behind a 336-yard, five-touchdown passing performance from Smith. Linebacker Frantz Joseph also had a dominant showing, logging 10 tackles (two for a loss), a pass breakup and a sack.
FIRST WIN IN FAU STADIUM
For the first 10 years of FAU football, students had to travel off campus to root for their team. That changed with the 2011 opening of FAU Stadium. And in the Owls' first on-campus victory (38-35 over UAB on Nov. 26, 2011), running back Alfred Morris had his best collegiate performance. Morris ran for 198 yards and four touchdowns, the former setting a program high and the latter tying Parker's 2001 record. Defensive back Treon Howard nabbed a 23-yard pick-six on UAB's first play from scrimmage.
FIRST C-USA WIN
The Owls' introduction to Conference USA was one to remember – a 37-23 road win over UAB on Oct. 5, 2013. Quarterback Jaquez Johnson amassed 410 total yards, scoring two touchdowns through the air and adding another on the ground. Running back Jonathan Wallace totaled 117 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own. That was the first time FAU had two 100-yard rushers in one game. FAU controlled the clock all afternoon; it held a 11:20 time-of-possession advantage by gaining 280 rushing yards to UAB's 51.
FIRST C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP
FAU's last conference game of 2017 was a microcosm of the seven before. The Owls dominated visiting North Texas, 41-17, securing an 8-0 sweep over C-USA competition that season. Running back Devin Singletary dazzled with 164 yards and three touchdowns – and even that wasn't enough to win the MVP award. Receiver Kalib Woods won the honors by amassing a program-record 208 yards on six catches. Safety Jalen Young registered seven tackles and two interceptions in the win as well.
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