Is this happening? The college football season for the Florida Atlantic Owls is officially over, courtesy of kicker Jonathan Cruz.
Cruz’s 56-yard field goal with 25 seconds left helped Charlotte spoil any bowl chance for Florida Atlantic, beating the Owls 27-24 on Saturday night.
FAU was looking for its sixth win for the second consecutive week to become bowl eligible for the second straight year. North Texas beat the Owls 41-38 last week.
Now what?
“I don’t think I’ve been a part of a college football non-winning season before,” said a coach Lane Kiffin postgame.
The Owls (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA) were dominant in Kiffin’s first season, finishing 11-3. They had two chances for one win, however, fell short twice.
Kerrith Whyte scored from 75 yards out on a jet sweep that was a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage from Robison. The Owls were up 7-0 in 13 seconds.
FAU led 21-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, Benn Lemay’s 54-yard touchdown run brought Charlotte (5-7, 4-4 Conference USA) within four. Lemay ran 24 times for 173 yards.
49ers quarterback Hassan Klugh added to the running attack, Klugh had a 13-yard touchdown run giving the 49ers their first lead of the second half. Klugh finished with 85 yards rushing.
With under 25 seconds remaining the Owls had a final drive to potentially tie the game however it did not look promising. De’Andre Johnson completed a 12-yard pass to Willie Wright at the Charlotte 49-yard line, but Wright coughed it up and Marquavis Gibbs recovered to end the game.
Get them next year.
Charlotte will not retain head coach Brad Lambert after this season, moving on from the only football coach the school has had.
Athletic director Mike Hill announced Sunday that Lambert would coach the team’s final game against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, but a search for a new coach will begin immediately. Lambert was carried to center field after a Gatorade bath.
Kiffin has been served a slice of humble pie this season; He will have to hit the road recruiting in all areas to redeem himself as coach.
Will he be recruiting to replace star Junior running back Devin “Motor” Singletary?
“Really not sure. I got a little bit of time, so see what happens,” said Singletary, who would be the first FAU player to leave early for the draft should he go. “[I’m going to be] talking with the coaches, talking with my family, and just go from there.”
Singletary ran for 88 yards on 23 carries and didn’t get into the end zone.
Photo/RomanGaray/WORLDWIDEWEST
