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Florida Atlantic makes second straight bowl appearance

Dec 26, 2008 - 11:32 AM Fla Atlantic (6-6) vs. Central Mich (8-4), 8:00 pm EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Under the guidance of coach Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic became the fastest start--up program to earn a bowl berth last season and defeated Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl.

Schnellenberger and the Owls are back for an encore appearance Friday night when they face Central Michigan in this year's Motor City Bowl.

Florida Atlantic (6-6), which only began its football program in 2001, won five of six down the stretch to earn its second straight bowl appearance following a 1-5 start.

Rusty Smith passed for 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns in the Owls' last six games, while running back Charles Pierre averaged 103.3 yards rushing during that stretch.

Florida Atlantic became bowl eligible with a wild 57-50 overtime victory over Florida International in its regular-season finale. Each team scored four touchdowns in a 56-point fourth quarter.

Schnellenberger, who guided Miami to the national championship in 1983, improved his bowl mark to 5-0 with last year's victory over Memphis. However, the Owls' task may be more difficult this time.

Florida Atlantic is facing one of top dual-threat quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision in Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour. The contest also is practically a home game for the Chippewas (8-4) at Detroit's Ford Field.

However, Central Michigan dropped its final two regular-season games. After squandering a fourth-quarter lead in a 31-24 loss at Ball State, the Chippewas suffered a 56-52 loss to three-win Eastern Michigan.

Central Michigan's defense needs to regroup after allowing Eastern Michigan quarterback Andy Schmitt to complete an NCAA all-division record 58 passes for 516 yards and five touchdowns. Eastern Michigan receiver Tyler Jones tied an FBS record with 23 catches.