 "Photo: UP file photo")
YEAR IN REVIEW
When asked about the new 30,000-seat football stadium set to open in 2011, Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger called it “the house that Rusty built.”
He was referring to his star quarterback Rusty Smith, who won’t actually build the stadium, but whose accomplishments on the football field for FAU played a big hand in turning that stadium dream into a reality.
The Owls have only had a football program for nine years now, and that pales in comparison to major college football programs with teams that are at least 100 years old.
However, in those nine years, FAU has accomplished more than what some teams have in twice as much time.
With Smith leading at quarterback, the Owls became the fastest team to win a bowl game in college football history when they won the New Orleans Bowl in 2007. The next season, the Owls were back in the news again for winning the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. For the people keeping score, that is two bowl wins in two years for a football program that’s not even a decade old.
Although Smith did not win those games alone, he was the catalyst that led the Owls from college football bottom-feeders to competing for conference championships and bowl games year after year.
“He helped put FAU on the map,” said senior political science major Joshua Simmons. “There was even one point where he was being mentioned as a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate.”
Student Government Chief Justice Mike Burdman also recognizes Smith’s success.
“Rusty brought our football program to the national spotlight,” said Burdman. “Our applications for admissions have gone up dramatically in the two years that we’ve won bowl games.”
In his career at FAU, Smith owns virtually every school passing record. He has thrown for more than 10,112 passing yards and 76 touchdowns in his three and a half years as the starting quarterback.
But his greatest impact on the team will not be seen until the fall of 2011, when FAU plays its first game at its new on-campus football stadium.
“He definitely had a lot to do with us getting the new stadium,” said Howard Schnellenberger. With those two bowl wins, FAU officials were convinced enough to approve a 30,000-seat stadium on the Boca campus for September 2011.
Despite the success, Smith’s career did not end on the high note he wanted. During the homecoming game against Middle Tennessee State, Smith went down with a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. Not only that, but the Owls failed to make a third consecutive bowl game appearance after finishing 5-7, one win short of becoming bowl eligible.
“The season was definitely a disappointment since we expected it to be a lot better,” said Smith. “My injury just made it worse.”
Although his career as an Owl is over, Smith has high hopes for the team next year. “We have a lot of good talent coming back next season, such as [running back] Xavier Stinson and quarterback Jeff Van Camp. They are young but extremely talented,” said Smith.
As for his own career, Smith said his shoulder is fine, and he will enter the 2010 NFL Draft in April with hopes of playing professional football. “My shoulder feels fine now, and I’m training for the draft.”
Even though Smith is very confident in his ability, he knows there is a possibility that he will not make it to the NFL. “In my opinion, I am the best quarterback going into the draft, but if football doesn’t work out, I’ll end up going back home to my family in Jacksonville.”
Smith’s career may be over at FAU, but his legacy will always fly high in Owl history.
1 comments