FINAL: FAU 38, SIU 30

Re-Tweet Replay

• We are under 40 minutes from kickoff. FAU is wearing the all-red combo today. Southern Illinois decked out in their all-whites. #FAUFootball
• Both WR Nate Terry and OL Antonyo Woods have been ruled out for #FAU. Interesting to see how Trickett handles loss of these two.
• We’ve heard a lot about the linebacking duo of Rashad Smith and Khantrell Burden recently. Expect big games from them today on D.
• FAU has taken the field. We’re about three and a minutes half shy of kickoff. Crowd chanting “LET’S GO OWLS.”
• Southern Illinois wins toss and will receive. FAU will have ball to start second half. Interesting decision not to defer.
• FAU has not won consecutive games in the Partridge era. A victory today would be the first time they’d won two straight since 2013.
• WE ARE UNDERWAY and Southern Illinois will start at their 15. Trey Hendrickson’s defense takes the field.
• Two straight rushes for the Saluskis go nowhere. 3rd and 11 after a nice stuff by Hendrickson to start his senior year.
• QB run gets a couple yards, but Southern Illinois has to punt twice after a penalty first time. Bussey on the return gets it near the logo.
• That was quick. FAU scores on an electric run from the peacock Buddy Howell! 48 yard run to give the Owls a 7-0 lead after two plays!
• Stadium is not at Miami level but this place was shaking during Buddy’s run. Howell coming off a big 2015 starts things off right.
• Southern Illinois starts at their own 21 and gets all the way down to FAU’s 14 after a major pass play.
• There’s @khantrellb, making his first start for FAU, with a big stop on first and ten to prevent a score.
• First and three from FAU goal line. Southern Illinois scores on a run play to the left. Seven play, 79 yard drive for the Salukis. 7-7 score
• That’s a tough drive for the Owls defense after a great start on first drive. FAU spent camp working on trying to avoid giving up big plays.
• Junior Kamrin Solomon with a nice catch on second down, but FAU goes three and out. Driskel can’t connect with Bussey on 3rd and six.
• FAU defense forces Southern Illinois to punt in a nice bounceback drive. Coach Roc likely gave defense nice pep talk.
• Driskel scrambles for a first down on his second QB scramble this drive. Jason doing his best Tim Tebow impression!
• Flag thrown for pass interference on Salukis. Jay Warren gets a carry and almost gets it to the logo for FAU.
• FAU will punt. Aside from Buddy’s run, offense has been a bit jittery. Defense looks to get another stop.
• Third and four. Fan section making themselves heard as defense forces a stop. Bussey on to return punt.
• BUDDY AGAIN. Buddy Howell chews up SIU’s defense for FAU’s second touchdown of the quarter. 37 yard rush for the dreadlocked senior.
• RASHAD SMITH WITH A SACK! The true freshman with a huge play in his first collegiate game.
• FAU gives up a big gain on a pass play and then gets a penalty, but defense definitely looks improved. Kids playing hard even after mistakes
• Big gain for SIU again. FAU is in need of a big defensive stop. Look for Trey Hendrickson or Khantrell to make something happen soon.
• We’re in an injury timeout. Linebacker Khantrell Burden walks off field with trainers on his own power. We’ll be keeping an eye on this..
• Now, we’re tied. FAU and SIU trade scores once again and we’re tied at 4 with 23 seconds left in first quarter.
• First quarter ends with a 14-14 tie. Two FAU players to keep an eye on if they get snaps: QB Daniel Parr and RB Devin ‘Motor’ Singletary.
• Even as FAU prepares to punt, Jason Driskel has looked good so far for FAU and is definitely building off last year’s momentum.
• FAU with some nice pass defense downfield. This has been one of FAU’s major goals all camp long: prevent the big plays.
• Driskel just took a shot downfield for Woods then does a read option. If there’s one thing you get from Trickett’s scheme, it’s diversity.
• Driskel and Tony Thomas looking like Peyton Manning and any of his wideouts. Just driving downfield play after play for FAU.
• Driskel gets sacked for the first time today. We’re halfway into the second. FAU o line doing a fantastic job protecting their QB.
• We knew coming into the game SIU had a strong offense, but these guys can play. Testament to Roc’s defense for handling them so far.
• SIU takes the lead with a long field goal (48 yards) and FAU will take over with 4:44 left in the second half down 3.
• Lucky Whitehead (@ninjafast22) with another appearance on the jumbotron. Cowboys kick off next Sunday against the Giants. No Romo.
• Motor Singeltary with his first play, but he doesn’t do much. SIU defense stopped him before he could show that blazing speed.
• Despite another punt, Jason Driskel has looked right at home tonight for FAU. Making plays, completing passes.
• 1:37 left in first half and SIU is driving. Third and two. An FAU stop would mean wonders for momentum/mood going into halftime.
• SIU gets the first down and they are in FAU territory. We face another third down here in Boca. FAU needs a stop.
• Good news, Owl fans: FAU gets the stop. Better news, Owl fans: FAU has 47 seconds to try scoring and will get ball to start second half.
• What just happened can’t even be put into a tweet. A ball just got deflected about three times into Harrison’s hands for an 85 yard score.
• Just stay tuned to ESPN tonight. Chances are that play will be on the top 10. #FAU
• FAU could be on the top 10 twice. SIU takes a 24-21 lead after a 69 yard rush that featured a video-game like ankle breaker.
• FAU does not kneel. They run it with Buddy Howell to end the half. FAU will start the second half with the ball.
• We are back. FAU has the ball to start the second half and Driskel already has them to their own 38.
• We need what Jason Driskel had to eat at halftime. Kid is just making plays over and over for FAU.
• Driskel does his Tebow impression again with a three yard touchdown rush! The stadium erupts. FAU now with nearly 300 yards of offense.
• Our score with 11:20 left in the third quarter is FAU 28 SIU 24. Owls defense will try to make sure there’s no more trading of touchdowns.
• Boom. Three and out for SIU. FAU not only has some momentum, but they’re making statements early in the second half.
• We mentioned in camp that Tyler Cameron could be a safety blanket for whoever won QB battle. Driskel finds FAU TE on a third and 3.
• Jakobi Smith is in at right guard. Making some nice blocks on the o line and FAU is within SIU’s 20 yard line now.
• Tyler Cameron with a touchdown that is confirmed by replay! FAU now with some serious momentum as they take a 35-24 lead with 5:35 left.
• That is a statement drive for FAU’s defense. Trey Hendrickson makes a stop and the Owls don’t let SIU get past midfield. Roc is pleased.
• 45 minutes down, 15 left. FAU holds a 35-24 lead after holding SIU scoreless in the 3rd. 3rd and 12 for SIU when play starts again
• THE KICK IS BLOCKED! Trey Hendrickson showing why there’s so much NFL draft stock with this kid. FAU takes over at their own 36.
• DRISKEL’S GOT WOODS! A 37 yard connection and FAU is at Southern Illinois’ 27 yard line.
• Greg Joseph with a 40 yard kick and it’s now 38-24 here in Boca. FAU has 17 unanswered points with 10:23 left. Crowd continues to go crazy.
• Haden Nagel with a sack. FAU’s defense has been huge in the second half and this is a major confidence builder going into Miami next week.
• That is a big time throw from Josh Straughan that falls incomplete for SIU. FAU takes over at their own 44.
• SIU wants to remind everyone that this game is not over. A score with 2:41 left makes it a 38-30 score after PAT is missed.
• Folks, it’s over. FAU wins their season opener for the first time in the @CoachPartridge era! FAU 38 SIU 30!