Florida Atlantic University’s football team went into Texas State University on Saturday, expecting to come out with a victory. While their expectations were met, they played their worst game of the season. Penalties and missed tackles kept the Bobcats in the game.

The Owls started the game on the 20-yard line and proceeded to drive right down the field, showing their dominance through the air. Jared Allen connected with Roosevelt Bynes for 65 yards on the first play of the game. Five plays later, Aaron Sanchez was able to pound the ball in from the one-yard line making the score 7-0, after a Mark, Myers field goal.

After the two teams exchanged possessions, Texas State would get the ball back with close to eight minutes to go in the first quarter. The drive started on the FAU 47-yard line after a 15-yard penalty was called on FAU defensive back, Derick Zak. The Bobcats would take advantage of this field position, marching down the field in six plays and scoring on Terrell Harris’ 20-yard touchdown scamper.

The Owls would get the ball back and this time, Texas State penalties would help FAU move the ball. Allen completed a pass for only a 3-yard gain, and then a 15-yard personal foul penalty moved FAU to the 36-yard line. Two plays later, a pass interference penalty would be called, and FAU found themselves thanking the Bobcats for 30 yards in penalties, moving the ball to mid-field. Myers would eventually kick a field goal form 35-yards out, putting the Owls back on top 10-7 with just over two-minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Myers would kick another field-goal to open up the second half after FAU had a five-play, 31-yard drive after a missed Bobcat field goal. With the Owls up 13-7, possessions would exchange hands a few more times, and FAU would get the ball back and put it in the endzone. Danny Embick was put into the game to replace Allen, and looked very good. He completed a pass to Anthony Crissinger-Hill for a 37-yard gain, which set up a Brittany Tellis 31-yard touchdown reception. No one was covering Tellis, as he streaked down the middle of the field and into the endzone. With FAU looking like they were going to keep rolling on, Texas State was able to hold FAU to only the 20 points they scored up to this point.

FAU, on the other hand, couldn’t stop the Bobcat offense, especially their running game. Texas State was able to pull closer, after a 24-yard touchdown run which was characterized by FAU’s one-armed attempted tackles and great blocking from the Bobcat offensive line. That run capped off an 11-play, 80 yard drive.

Texas State, only down 20-13, had the ball over one minute to go in the half. After a few successful gains, FAU’s Willie Hughley intercepted a pass to end the hopes of TSU for the rest of the day.

Neither team was able to score again in the second half and FAU escaped the Texas sun with a 20-13 victory. Offensively, Texas State had more first downs (22-18), more rushing yards, (253-86) and more total yards (420-331). What saved FAU was their timely defense and their big-play air attack.

Jared Allen finished the game with 18 attempts, nine of them completions, for only 164 yards and one interception. Doug Parker finished with 78 yards rushing, and Tellis was the leading receiver with three receptions and 74 yards. He was also the only receiver with a touchdown.

FAU finished with nine penalties for 81 yards, while Texas State managed the same number of fouls, but were penalized 111 yards.

The next game for the undefeated Owls is Saturday at the University of Northern Colorado. Last year, UNC came into Lockhart Stadium, and FAU sent them home with a loss. The game time has been changed to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Both Gatsby’s of Boca and Bonefish Mac’s of Lighthouse Point announced they will show the game. For directions and phone numbers of these two establishments, and for more information on the game, log onto: www.fausports.com.