The Lane train is full steam ahead in Conference USA, and there is no stopping it.
Lane train!… Lane train!… Lane train!
That is what the Owl fans are shouting consistently at FAU stadium for Lane Kiffin who by the way is the head coach.
“We’ve been beaten down for a while, and we’ve talked for a few weeks now about, you gotta keep knocking people off,” Kiffin stated. “If there’s gonna be a new bully in town, you gotta go and take care of everybody.”
Jason Driskel tossed four touchdown passes, completing 18 of 25 for 239 yards, and Florida Atlantic Owls cruised to a 52-24 victory over the FIU Panthers in the annual rivalry game labeled the Shula Bowl.
Driskel helped Wide receiver Kalib Woods look very good in the rivalry setting career game highs in multiple categories, including receiving and all-purpose yards, touchdowns, and the longest reception of his career, in his Shula Bowl performance. Woods caught seven balls for 172 yards and two TDs, including a 79-yard touchdown to open the second half. Woods’ seven-yard score later in the third quarter put the Owls up 34-17.
Devin Singletary rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard TD run late in the first quarter that gave the Owls a 14-0 lead. FIU punched back.
The Golden Panthers answered with Alex McGough’s 13-yard scoring strike to Darrius Scott and Jose Borregales’ 31-yard field goal to pull within 14-10 with 3:43 remaining before halftime.
The Owls punched harder. Driskel engineered a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 6-yard TD pass to D’Anfernee McGriff to close out the half with a 21-10 lead.
“You just want your hard work to pay off. That’s why you want to earn respect.” Running back Greg HowelI Jr. stated. “If you are just working and you don’t have an outcome you feel like you are working for no reason.”
The Owls pilled up 333 yards on the ground, compared to just 85 for FIU. Florida Atlantic outgained the Golden Panthers 572-303. Owls (8-3, 7-0) are C-USA East champions, play Charlotte next, travel back to their home field where they are for the C-USA Championship.
The Next stop for the Lane train, only Kiffin knows.
