FAU runs through WKU 42-28

Trailing 28-20 to begin the fourth quarter, Florida Atlantic scored 22 unanswered points to defeat the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 42-28 to remain undefeated in conference play, their first 4-0 start to conference play in school history. Devin Singletary was responsible for 12 of those 22 points, and finished with 244 yards and four touchdowns with 6.8 yards per carry.

The flurry of points was kickstarted by a huge defensive stop as Herb Miller picked off Mike White in FAU territory. With all of the momentum, it looked like WKU was on their way to extending the lead before Miller leaped in the air to grab the ball.

Miller’s first interception of the year kept the door open for the Owls and FAU bursted through it. Two plays later Devin Singletary ran for a 60-yard touchdown. Jason Driskel would connect with Kalib Woods in the back of the end zone to tie the game.

After not having any success off of play action all game, Jason Driskel would hit a wide open Willie Wright on a play action seams route for a 49-yard touchdown to give FAU the 35-28 lead.

The Owls would cap the comeback victory with a gutsy fake punt as Ryan Rickel ran for 22 yards on fourth and 11 to put FAU in the red zone. Singletary would wrap up the game with a five-yard touchdown to give FAU the 42-28 win.

The defense held the Hilltoppers to 92 yards on 24 plays in the fourth quarter. After getting torched by Mike White for three quarters, the defense buckled down and were able to force White to make throws under pressure and check down to his running backs.

WKU entered the game without having any huge success on the ground and exited the game in the same state. The Owls held WKU to 99 yards on 33 rushing attempts. WKU tried to feature the rushing attack but FAU shut it down and kept them one-dimensional. That ultimatley caught up with the Tops in the fourth quarter.

Despite the disappoining fourth quarter Mike White had a fantastic game. White was 32-for-56 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The stat line doesn’t really do him justice as he was one of the best players on the field last night.

White’s play juxtaposed to Jason Driksel’s almost proved to be the deciding factor. Driskel followed up the best game of his career with another clunker. Driskel passed for 92 yards with one touchdown and one interception. WKU did a great job of taking away his first read on play action passes except for one, the 49-yard pass to Wright.

Throughout the season I’ve said Driskel is going to have to win a game for FAU. Tonight appeared to be that game. Then he handed it off to Devin Singletary and Motor did the rest.

It wasn’t as easy as the other four wins but the Owls got it done. In miserable weather on the road, this is a character-defining win for the team.

FAU finished with 368 rushing yards. FAU also won the turnover battle again as they forced four WKU turnovers. Singletary became FAU’s all-time rushing touchdown leader after the game.

WKU’s reign over Conference USA is done. After two straight conference titles WKU will be playing for bowl eligibility from here on out. The 5-3 Tops will step out of conference and play Vanderbilt next Saturday.

With FIU taking down Marshall, FAU is the only team in Conference USA without a conference loss. At 5-3 overall, the Owls are a game away from being bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.

After taking down one team that’s been a pain in our ass since joining C-USA, the Owls will have an opportunity to take down another. First place will be up for grabs when Marshall plays FAU Friday night at FAU Stadium.