FOOTBALL COLUMN
The scene after Shula Bowl VIII on Saturday, Dec. 5, said it all.
While the Florida International University Golden Panthers walked off the field at FIU Stadium dejectedly, the Owls were busy walking into a wave of celebration as the team’s friends, families and fans gave it a rousing ovation.
Smiles, hugs, handshakes and applause made up the reception the Owls received from their traveling supporters after knocking off the Golden Panthers 28-21 in the annual Shula Bowl. It was a deserving tribute to the Owls (5-7, 5-3), who ended a rather disappointing season with a morale-lifting win.
“We kind of took this as our bowl game,” said quarterback Jeff Van Camp, who completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. “It’s FIU; we don’t like them at all. We hate them, and it is always good to beat those guys.”
The team’s spirits were not all that was raised. Following the victory, which marked the fourth consecutive season FAU beat their southern rivals, the Owls hoisted the Shula Bowl trophy into the nippy Miami sky.
While the feeling of beating FIU (3-9, 3-5) was familiar, the manner in which the Owls won the game was quite different. In last season’s 57-50 thriller at Landshark Stadium, FAU relied on quarterback Rusty Smith and the aerial attack to come from two touchdowns back before winning in overtime.
In this season’s match, FAU never had to erase a deficit, and the Owls took a commanding 14-0 lead thanks in large part to running back Alfred Morris’ bruising rushes.
“We have the best running back in the conference,” said right tackle Carl Spitale. “That kid runs hard. For [the offensive line] to know that, we are going to block our asses off, and do what we have to do. That guy is something special.”
Labeling Morris as the Sun Belt Conference’s top runner was not an opinion; it was fact. Morris finished the game with 25 carries and 158 yards, surpassing North Texas tailback Lance Dunbar as the conference’s leading runner this season.
“I wish the season would have went a lot better than it did, but this is a good accomplishment,” said Morris of his 1,392 rushing yards this season. “My offensive line is very proud. They can leave with their heads held high. It wouldn’t have been possible without them, even [fullback] Willie Rose. I just thank them.”
Along with his two rushing scores, one of which was the game-winner with 2:23 left in regulation, Morris found the end zone on a 9-yard reception in the second quarter, bringing his total touchdowns to 13.
FAU’s defense, which has been the team’s Achilles heel for most of the season, also had a solid effort against the Golden Panthers. Despite giving up 445 total yards, the Owls defense held its own, limiting quarterback Paul McCall and FIU’s passing game — the team’s strength — to one touchdown pass, and stopping their rivals’ offense on fourth down on three separate occasions.
“Everybody that was here was thrilled,” said FAU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger. “I was thrilled, and the team was thrilled. I have to be proud of both sides of the ball and the kicking game.”
The win not only ended the season positively, it ended the coveted senior class’s legacy on a good note, too.
“It feels great ending my college career on a big note, a win,” said tight end Jason Harmon, who made three receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. “I will never forget this game.”
Harmon is one of many prolific FAU seniors hoping to latch onto an NFL team next spring, but how much professional success this group of seniors will have will remain to be seen.
Regardless of how they do professionally, this class of Owls seniors can confide in the fact that at FAU they will be hailed as legends. Two bowl game wins and four Shula Bowl victories can attest to that.
