BOCA RATON – Despite a flat offensive showing in the first half, it was the FAU defense that came up big in the 18th installment of the Shula Bowl.
The FAU defense, which has been terrific over the last few weeks, allowed just 304 yards of offense, including just 192 yards through the air, and four tackles for loss in the Owls 37-7 win over the FIU Panthers.
The Shula Bowl win marks the Owls third consecutive Shula Bowl win and their 13th in the series.
“Really good win, proud of our guys how they finished. Very sloppy first half on offense, especially. Felt like we were outgaining them, we were moving the ball…” FAU head coach Lane Kiffin said. “Come out and go, I think, 24 nothing in the second half was huge. Rivalry game, so, proud of our players, happy for our fans.”
Although the Shula Bowl is not as widely known as other rivalry games, Kiffin – who previously coached in places like Tennessee and Alabama – believes the rivalry game is just as important.
“I’ve said this before, it’s different obviously in, like, warmups [compared to] Alabama vs. LSU, but the locker room is the same or even better,” Kiffin said when asked how the rivalry game compares. “To see these kids so excited, to see our former players come back and be around in the locker room.”
On offense, the Owls were led by redshirt freshman running back Malcolm Davidson, who made his return from a groin injury that forced him to miss FAU’s game against Western Kentucky. In his return, Davidson finished with 144 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries.
“I’ve thought Malcolm [Davidson]’s an extremely explosive player,” Kiffin said. “I think I made this statement to our staff, ‘we have a lot of really good running backs but I bet you at the end of the year, Malcolm will lead our team in average per carry and maybe the conference.”
Davidson’s first touchdown came on FAU’s first drive of the game when his 31-yard run on fourth down set up his own 6-yard run to the end zone.
Following a 33-yard field goal by FAU kicker Vladi Rivas, FIU would score its first points of the game on a 75-yard touchdown run by running back Napoleon Maxwell. FIU’s score came on the team’s first play on the drive.
Although the FIU offense struggled for most of the game, it was Maxwell who provided a bright spot for the Panthers. On 16 carries, the senior running back ran for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Maxwell also added 21 receiving yards, earning himself Shula Bowl MVP for FIU.
Although FAU would go into halftime with a slim 13-7 lead, its offense, led by quarterback Chris Robison, that would lead the Owls to a dominating win in the Shula Bowl.
On the Owls first drive following halftime, Robison connected with tight end Harrison Bryant for a 5-yard touchdown, giving them a 21-7 lead.
Robison, who has continued to improve from a disappointing 2018 campaign, completed 20 of his 33 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Robison has thrown 17 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions, placing him in clear contention for a spot on the All-conference team.
Later in his game, Davidson would add his second and third touchdowns of the game from distances of 5 and 23 yards, respectively. Davidson went on to earn FAU’s Shula Bowl MVP honors.
“It makes me feel good (but) more proud of my o-line for blocking all week,” Davidson said about his performance. “Just winning for the team. Do it all for the team, not for myself.”
Although FAU currently holds a lead in the C-USA East, a Marshall win against Louisiana Tech next week (Nov. 16) would give the division lead back to Marshall.
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
