MONROE, La.-The Owls fought hard against the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and won their first game of 2006 21-19 in front of 14,216 at Malone Stadium. The win came after stopping the Monroe offense on fourth down late in the fourth quarter and refusing to allow the Warhawks to score a two point conversion at the end of the game.
FAU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger was thrilled with the way his team played.
“I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This will do wonders in bringing our football team together,” said Schnellenberger.
Florida Atlantic took an early first quarter lead of 7-3 on a 24 yard touchdown pass from Sean Clayton to wide receiver Avery Holley. Holley’s touchdown catch was the first one of his career.
At the end of the first quarter FAU had their first beginning quarter lead of the 2006 season. The lead did not last long when ULM quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster scored on a yard run to make the score 10-7 in favor of the Warhawks.
FAU retook the lead quickly on a six yard touchdown run by running back Charles Pierre to make the score 14-10 in favor of the Owls.
FAU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger stressed to reporters this week that ULM has had his team’s number for the last few years. In 2004 Schnellenberger’s team was undefeated at 5-0 when ULM came to Florida and spoiled the Owls undefeated season with a 17-13 win. The 2005 game was also won by ULM 28-21 in Ft. Lauderdale. Schnellenberger felt this game was a very important game in the 2006 season.
“Now it is down to the nut cutting. It is now time for us to go out and win so it is very important that we understand the strength of our opponents. Monroe is a top of the line football team and as
I say they have beaten us two years in a row and are talented,” said Schnellenberger in his weekly Sun – Belt teleconference.
Louisiana-Monroe Head Coach Charlie Weatherbie depended on junior running back Calvin Dawson who Weatherbie says was a very “hot” commodity coming out of high school.
“Calvin Dawson was offered by Southern Mississippi (Division I, Conference USA) and a lot of other Division I schools,” said Weatherbie.
Louisiana-Monroe Fact Box
?This game was the homecoming game for Louisiana-Monroe.
?Enrollment at Monroe is 9,725 almost 20,000 less then FAU. Louisiana-Monroe’s Malone Stadium, holds 30,427. That’s 10,000 more than Lockhart Stadium, home of FAU.
?Only one player on the University of Louisiana-Monroe is from the state of Florida. Trey Revell, a quarterback is from Havana, Florida.
?ULM’s homecoming also was a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the college.
?This is the first year ULM has been known as the Warhawks, previously they were known as the Indians.
