Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Motor running
FAU earns first berth in Conference USA title game
BOCA RATON — For once, winning the annual Shula Bowl was secondary for Florida Atlantic.
Its rivalry with Florida International took a backseat on this night. The Owls defeated the Panthers 52-24 Saturday at FAU Stadium, but it was only the second-most important storyline. The victory clinched FAU’s first-ever berth in the Conference USA title game.
The Owls will play host to North Texas for the championship Dec. 2 at noon.
FAU (8-3, 7-0) has won seven straight games since losing at Buffalo. It has an opportunity to complete an undefeated conference season next week at Charlotte, which is in last place. It has taken coach Lane Kiffin just one year to completed a remarkable turnaround. The Owls were coming off three straight 3-9 seasons but now will play for a conference championship and in a bowl game for the first time since 2008.
The Owls were once again led by the legs of running back Devin “Motor” Singletary. He carried 25 times for 164 yards
and two touchdowns, bringing his nation-leading total to 25. His 70-yard touchdown in the first quarter was the longest run of his career. It was also his ninth straight 100-yard rushing game.
This time, Singletary wasn’t alone. After weeks of carrying the offensive load, he received help from receiver Kalib Woods. After serving a six-game suspension for his role in an offcampus fight, Woods caught seven passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. It was easily his most productive game since his return nearly a month ago.
Quarterback Jason Driskel hooked up with Woods on a 7-yard touchdown pass that gave FAU a 34-17 lead with 6 minutes, 7 seconds remaining in the third quarter and essentially put the game away. The duo connected earlier in the quarter on a 79-yard touchdown pass. Driskel finished 18 of 25 for 239 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes. Woods, a senior, hasn’t been available to speak with reporters this season.
The victory soothed some of the pain from last year’s 33-31 loss at FIU. The Owls reclaimed the coveted Don Shula Award trophy and improved to 11-5 in the series. It was the Panthers’ second straight loss and ended their hopes of playing in the league title game. They needed to win Saturday and also have the Owls lose the following weekend. Still, FIU is bowleligible for the first time since 2011 under coach Butch Davis.
With the East Division already wrapped up, the Owls can now focus on what has been the goal all season. FAU is searching for its second conference championship in school history. The last came in 2007 when they won the Sun Belt under former coach Howard Schnellenberger. The Owls will have to beat North Texas for a second time if they are going to accomplish the feat again.
FAU won in record-setting fashion when it defeated the Mean Green 69-31 last month. The Owls gained a Conference USArecord 804 yards and scored on their first 11 possessions. North Texas has since recovered from the embarrassing loss by winning four straight games, including Saturday’s thrilling 52-49 victory in overtime against Army.