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ESPN.COM Article on Win

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ESPN.COM Article on Win

"Florida Atlantic passes way to first bowl game win"

Smith tosses 5 TDs as FAU secures first bowl game win

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Howard Schnellenberger is still undefeated in bowl games, and now so is the fledgling college football program he built from nothing.

Rusty Smith threw for 336 yards and an R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl record five touchdowns to lead Florida Atlantic to a 44-27 victory over Memphis on Friday night.

It was the first bowl game for FAU, which has had a football team for only seven seasons and didn't join the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) until 2005.

The game also marked another meaningful step for the young Sun Belt Conference. The league champion has now won three of seven New Orleans Bowls, including the past two by convincing margins, with Troy beating Rice 41-17 last year.

It certainly wasn't the highest-profile bowl victory for Schnellenberger, who led Miami to the 1983 national championship with an Orange Bowl triumph over Nebraska. He is now 5-0 in bowl games over his 23 seasons as a head coach. He won the 1980 Peach Bowl with Miami and two bowl games with Louisville, the 1990 Fiesta Bowl and the 1993 Liberty Bowl.

Still, this one had to be special, given that he is the father of FAU's program and the only head coach the Owls have ever known. As the final minute ticked away, the 73-year-old's head of white hair and blue blazer were left drenched by a bucket of ice water his players dumped over him in celebration. But the old coach didn't even flinch.

Florida Atlantic started fast and never trailed. Smith had 102 yards passing and a pair of touchdown tosses in the first 10 minutes. His second, a short pass that DiIvory Edgecomb turned into a 29-yard score, gave FAU a 17-7 lead.

Edgecomb also set up FAU's first two scores with kickoff returns of 42 and 62 yards. He added a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Memphis quarterback Martin Hankins helped the Tigers keep the game competitive into the second half, throwing for 283 yards and three touchdowns. The Tigers got as close as 30-27, but he left the game late in the third quarter with a right leg injury after getting tangled up in a heap of players after releasing a pass.

Reserve quarterbacks Will Hudgens and Matt Malouf finished the game for Memphis, which couldn't muster a significant threat in the final quarter.

Smith also had touchdown passes of 4 yards to Charles Pierre, 16 yards to Chris Bonner, 4 yards to Willie Rose and 16 yards to Jason Harmon.

Bowl Overview
It was over when… Two plays after FAU blocked a punt, Rusty Smith hit Jason Harmon for a 16-yard TD to put the Owls up 37-27 in the third.
Gameball goes to… Smith. The sophomore threw for 336 yards and a New Orleans Bowl record five touchdown passes in a against the Tigers.
Stat of the game… 1, 5. FAU picked up a victory in its first bowl appearance and coach Howard Schnellenberger improved to 5-0 in bowl play.

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: ESPN.COM Article on Win

We got something special here in Rusty… A N.O. Bowl RECORD 5 TD's. I was hoping for 6! I'm glad Clayton got some playing time he's had a bad season but he's a senior and he deserved it. He can go out knowing he got to play in the first ever bowl game and bowl victory for FAU.

I am just in shock I can't believe we just won a bowl game! It's only going to get better from here, next comes the announcement of naming rights for the stadium and then we break ground and we get in there by '09 that would be the perfect ending to the perfect season!

THERE IS A GOD….HIS NAME IS HOWARD SCHNELLENBERGER!

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: ESPN.COM Article on Win

Howard is amazing!
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Re: ESPN.COM Article on Win

Howard Rocks. Thanks guys for a great Christmas present!  ;)

Beware the talons of the Mighty Owls!
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