Written by Jake Hood
Boca Raton, FL- It was a nail-biter in Boca.
After an hour of lightning delays, the fans of Boca Raton were treated to a thriller at FAU Stadium.
The offensive action started early in the first quarter for the Owls with a 5 yard touchdown run by redshirt sophomore quarterback Jason Driskel.
Later in the first, Driskel connected for a long 31-yard touchdown pass to Kalib Woods to put the Owls up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Driskel continued to have a stellar first half, completing 14 of 18 passing attempts for 245 yards and a touchdown.
Ball State replied in the second quarter after back to back to scores by the Cardinals, both coming from sophomore quarterback Riley Neal.
The Owls were able to reply, with a 3-yard touchdown by Kerrith Whyte, the first of his collegiate career.
Following an FAU field goal, things were looking good for the Owls halftime, who led 24-17 heading into the locker room.
Momentum slowed for both sides heading into the second half, after yet another lightning delay early in the third quarter.
Ball State managed to fight their way back, tying the game up at 24 as the game entered the final quarter of play.
After a field goal by the Owls early in the fourth to give them the lead, the stadium only 1.8 miles from the beach saw even more lightning strikes, leading to a fourth delay with just five minutes left in the game.
After the delay, Ball State was able to come back strong, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run by Neal to give the Cardinals the lead 31-27 with just 1:47 left on the clock.
The Owls would have one final shot to drive the field and score. The drive came down to a fourth down with a 15-yard pickup needed for the first. But the Ball State Cardinals would force an under-pressure Driskel to throw an interception, dashing the Owls hopes of a game-winning drive.
Despite the 31-27 loss, the Owls showed signs of explosiveness throughout the game, and Quarterback Jason Driskel had a strong performance, throwing for 324 yards.
In the post-game press conference however Driskel blamed the loss on his failure to perform late in the fourth.
“I didn’t even give them a chance to make plays,” Driskel said, talking about his ability to capitalize on open receivers in that final drive.
The FAU Owls fall to 1-3 after their home loss. The Owls travel to Miami next Saturday, where they will face the FIU Panthers, who have yet to win a game this season.
Stay tuned to The SkyBoat for continued college football coverage.
After an hour of lightning delays, the fans of Boca Raton were treated to a thriller at FAU Stadium.
The offensive action started early in the first quarter for the Owls with a 5 yard touchdown run by redshirt sophomore quarterback Jason Driskel.
Later in the first, Driskel connected for a long 31-yard touchdown pass to Kalib Woods to put the Owls up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Driskel continued to have a stellar first half, completing 14 of 18 passing attempts for 245 yards and a touchdown.
Ball State replied in the second quarter after back to back to scores by the Cardinals, both coming from sophomore quarterback Riley Neal.
The Owls were able to reply, with a 3-yard touchdown by Kerrith Whyte, the first of his collegiate career.
Following an FAU field goal, things were looking good for the Owls halftime, who led 24-17 heading into the locker room.
Momentum slowed for both sides heading into the second half, after yet another lightning delay early in the third quarter.
Ball State managed to fight their way back, tying the game up at 24 as the game entered the final quarter of play.
After a field goal by the Owls early in the fourth to give them the lead, the stadium only 1.8 miles from the beach saw even more lightning strikes, leading to a fourth delay with just five minutes left in the game.
After the delay, Ball State was able to come back strong, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run by Neal to give the Cardinals the lead 31-27 with just 1:47 left on the clock.
The Owls would have one final shot to drive the field and score. The drive came down to a fourth down with a 15-yard pickup needed for the first. But the Ball State Cardinals would force an under-pressure Driskel to throw an interception, dashing the Owls hopes of a game-winning drive.
Despite the 31-27 loss, the Owls showed signs of explosiveness throughout the game, and Quarterback Jason Driskel had a strong performance, throwing for 324 yards.
In the post-game press conference however Driskel blamed the loss on his failure to perform late in the fourth.
“I didn’t even give them a chance to make plays,” Driskel said, talking about his ability to capitalize on open receivers in that final drive.
The FAU Owls fall to 1-3 after their home loss. The Owls travel to Miami next Saturday, where they will face the FIU Panthers, who have yet to win a game this season.
Stay tuned to The SkyBoat for continued college football coverage.