This time, the Florida Atlantic Owls kept victory from slipping away. Barely.
After blowing a 24-3 first-half lead, the Owls came back to win 33-31 on two field goals by Greg Joseph, who kicked four for the day.
For coach Charlie Partridge’s FAU, it has been a snake-bitten season. It lost in overtime to Tulsa. It was tied at 20 in the third period with Miami. It gave up three defensive touchdowns to Buffalo. It blew a 12-point lead to Rice after an hour-and-a-half lightning delay. It had a chance to upset Middle Tennessee but lost the ball on downs on its last possession. It lost to Florida in overtime.
For a while, it seemed as if the Owls were due for another one of those days. Old Dominion came back from a 24-3 deficit and took a 33-27 lead at the end of the third period.
FAU replaced starting quarterback Jaquez Johnson, who had two interceptions, with Jason Driskel.
Old Dominion’s Shuler Bentley threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, but the Monarchs gained only 38 yards rushing.
For FAU, Jay Warren ran for 150 yards. Zach Paschal caught eight balls for 163 yards and three scores.
FAU finished the season 3-9. Old Dominion was 5-7.
