BOCA RATON, Fla. – Louisiana Tech did something Friday night that no other team has done in more than a year -- win at Florida Atlantic.
The Bulldogs clipped the wings of the Owls 21-13, snapping FAU's 10-game home winning streak. The Owls hadn't lost at FAU Stadium since falling to Navy 42-19 on Sept. 1, 2017.
Owls quarterback Rafe Peavey, filling in for an injured Chris Robison, made his first career start.
"(Robison) felt good today. He was ready to go," head coach Lane Kiffin said after the game. "But I didn't feel that was fair, you know, that Rafe had taken the reps all week."
Peavey, who joined the team in preseason camp as a graduate transfer from SMU, was 15-of-26 for 115 yards and an interception. He was also sacked three times.
"You know, he didn't get a lot of help," Kiffin said of his quarterback's performance. "You know, we dropped a critical third-down early. The quarterback -- even though he's older -- he hasn't played a bunch, so confidence is always fragile."
FAU (3-5, 1-3 Conference USA) got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead on its first possession. Peavey was 4-of-4 for 51 yards on the opening drive, completing three consecutive first downs, and Devin Singletary found the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run.
Vladimir Rivas added a 29-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter to give the Owls a 10-0 lead.
Held in check for much of the first half, the Bulldogs (6-2, 4-1) scored twice in a span of 2:13 just before halftime. Jaqwis Dancy capped off a 10-play, 70-yard drive for Louisiana Tech with a 20-yard touchdown run.
After a 40-yard kick return by Kerrith Whyte, the Owls had a short field with which to work and a chance to add to their lead, but Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson had other plans. Ferguson sacked Peavey for a 6-yard loss, forcing a fumble and recovering the football.
The sack gave Ferguson the C-USA record for most career sacks. He currently leads the nation in sacks.
Kamero McKnight then plowed into the end zone on a 5-yard run, giving Louisiana Tech a 14-10 lead with 33 seconds to go in the half. Peavey was picked off on FAU's final possession before the break.
The Owls appeared poised to score again early in the third quarter but couldn't capitalize in the red zone. With first-and-goal on Louisiana Tech's 2-yard line, the Owls lost yardage on first-, second- and third-down, instead settling for Rivas' 28-yard field goal that trimmed the Bulldogs' lead to 1.
"We've got to execute a lot better on my part, especially," Peavey said.
Louisiana Tech sealed the win with J'Mar Smith's 15-yard touchdown to Teddy Veal with 8:27 left in the game. The Bulldogs became bowl eligible for the fifth straight season with the win.
Singletary once again carried the load for FAU. He finished the night with 182 yards on 19 carries.
FAU seems to be stuck in an offensive rut, having only scored two touchdowns in as many games.
"We were atrocious on third down," Kiffin said.
It was just the second loss for Kiffin in Boca Raton since making his FAU debut.
Robison, who injured his ankle in last weekend's loss at Marshall, entered the game late in the fourth quarter.
"When we were struggling there, you know, you just try to get a spark at the end," Kiffin said. "I knew it was going to be more of a throwing situation, so, you know, I went with Chris there."
But by then it was too little, too late.
Next up is a tough test against rival Florida International. The Panthers are currently undefeated in conference play and sit atop the C-USA Eastern Division standings.
"I'm not really concerned about us bouncing back," Singletary said. "You know, we're gonna go out next week and find ways to get better."