The Conference USA game between the visiting Charlotte 49ers and the Florida Atlantic Owls was scheduled for Saturday however Hurricane Matthew threatening Florida’s east coast forced the game to be postponed to Sunday. Fans with tickets to the game were allowed to trade them in for a future game. Admission was free to Sunday’s game. Fans in attendance did not get their money’s worth until the final 40 seconds.
Charlotte running back Robert Washington fumbled at the Florida Atlantic 28-yard line with 40 seconds left. With no timeouts, FAU marched down the field and Jason Driskel found Kamrin Solomon in the end zone for a touchdown. But after a replay, officials ruled that Solomon was out of bounds.
Charlotte barely escaped Florida Atlantic 28-23 for the 49ers’ first Conference USA victory.
Coming into his third season, Florida Atlantic head coach Charlie Partridge had a team athletic enough to compete with every program in Conference USA. His team is still looking for its first conference win.
“We will fight for each other one week at a time, our love for each other and our resolve will never waver and we will move forward,” coach Partridge stated.
Gregory Howell Jr. rushed for 100 yards and become the first FAU player to rush for three scores since Nov. 26, 2011.
The game featured five lead changes in the first half.
FAU will travel to play Marshall and Charlotte will host FIU who has won two in a row since firing head coach Ron Turner.
