GGSM{FAU} 38, UAB 35

November 26--FAU wore the Golden Gopher Shame Mask into their game against UAB with an 0-10 record on the season.  That doesn't guarantee an unexciting game, however.  FAU's Treon Howard returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown just two minutes into the game.   UAB mounted successful touchdown drives in the first quarter and early in the second to lead 14-7.  Then FAU's Alfred Morris got going.  The senior running back carried the ball 38 times for 198 yards and four touchdowns.  Not too shabby for the nation's 24th leading rusher.  The last one put the Owls up 38-28 with 1:38 left.  UAB rallied to score a touchdown with 33 seconds remaining, but the onside kick attempt went out of bounds to seal FAU's first win of the season. 

This win assured their head coach Howard Schnellenberger would not have his first losing season.  After a few years in the late 90s as a bond trader, the coach who built the University of Miami into a powerhouse returned to Miami to tackle a new challenge--start the FAU football program from scratch in 2001.  In August, he announced he would retire at the end of the season.  This season notwithstanding, I think his work building the team could be considered a modest success.  In just his third season, he led the Owls to an 11-3 season, losing in the I-AA semifinals, and then in his second and third seasons in the Bowl Subdivision, he won two bowl games.  And perhaps more importantly, this win assured he would not have to wear the Shame Mask into retirement.