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The day started with FAU announcing that Lane Kiffin has agreed to sign a 10-year contract extension to remain the head coach of the Owls. On any other day this would be the highlight of the day for the FAU football program but not tonight.
Tonight the Owls played in their first bowl game since 2008 and in front of a national audience FAU delivered. The Owls dominated Akron (7-7) 50-3 to win the 2017 Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl. The victory gives FAU their 11th win of the year, a school record.
Fresh off of being named an AP All-American, Devin Singletary finished with 124 yards and three touchdowns on the big stage. While Singletary had a great night, it was Jason Driskel’s play that was the difference. Driskel was fantastic as he went 17-of-23 for 220 yards with two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
Aside from a few 15-yard penalties, the defense was amazing. Akron only gained 146 yards. The Owls had five sacks and chased Hollywood, Florida, native Kato Nelson all night. If the Owls didn’t give Akron 30-yards due to penalties on their lone scoring drive they might have had a shutout. Azeez Al-Shaair was all over the field, the defensive line overmatched Akron’s o-line, and the secondary (save for a dumb targeting penalty by Andrew Soroh that should have resulted in a ejection) was lights out.
The Owls started the game slow as they were only up by a touchdown at the end of the first quarter thanks to Driskel finding a wide open Willie Wright in the end zone. In the second quarter the offense began to pick it up. Jason Driskel’s three-yard touchdown run capped a 14-play 75-yard drive. Near the end of the half, Driskel was able to connect with Kamrin Solomon for 63 yards to put the Owls in scoring position. Two plays later Devin Singletary would score from six yards out and the rout was on from that point on.
After going 3-9 for three straight seasons, the Owls completed one of the best turnarounds in college football history by finishing the season with a Conference USA Championship, a bowl win, and a 11-3 record in 2017.
With the early signing period starting tomorrow, Lane Kiffin made a huge statement that if you want to win championships, break school records, and have fun doing so, you should #cometothefaU.