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Boca Raton, FL — In the 18th annual Shula Bowl, the rivalry game between Florida Atlantic University (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA) and Florida International University (5-5, 3-4 C-USA) the Owls retained the Don Shula Award with a 37-7 victory over FIU. Sophomore running back Malcolm Davidson scores three touchdowns in the rout at Howard Schnellenberger Field.
FAU continues to hold the series lead at 13-4 and FAU Head Lane Kiffin remains undefeated in the series and also handed FIU Head Coach Butch Davis his third straight loss in the rivalry game.
“You like to think it impacts recruiting when you have three dominating wins against your rival,” said Coach Kiffin. “I told our coaches on the headset that you need to recruit after these three games you guys are not recruiting that well.”
The game is designated as the “Shula Bowl” after legendary coach Don Shula. The winningest coach in NFL history coached with FAU’s inaugural head football coach Howard Schnellenberger and coached FIU’s founding head coach Don Strock, both with the Miami Dolphins.
Head Coach @Lane_Kiffin of @FAU_Football said he thought @realDonaldTrump would make an appearance at the #ShulaBowl. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/2M3RjpDISy
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 10, 2019
On the Owl’s first drive of the game, Davidson, formerly of Osceola Kissimmee would get into the endzone on a 10-yard touchdown run. The Owls would stretch the field with Deangelo Antoine (Oakridge, FL) with jet sweeps and reverses and pounded the ball up the middle with strong runs from Davidson all game. The Owls would total 261 yards rushing.
In the 2nd quarter, FIU’s Napoleon Maxwell (Admiral Farragut, FL) busted up the middle for a 75-yard touchdown to make it a 10-7 game. This would be the closest that the Panthers would get on the scoreboard.
FIU attempted to pull within three points with a field goal but would fail to do so when Tommy Zozus mishandled the snap and was intercepted by redshirt junior Meiko Dotson (Mainland, FL) just before the first half.
FAU had three red-zone trips and but had to settle on two Vladimir Rivas (Doral Academy, FL) field goals and a touchdown in the first half. Rivas would finish with three made field goals of 33, 27, and 25 yards.
Antoine would get the offense going with a 45-yard catch on the Owl’s first drive of the second half. The 2020 NFL draft prospect Harrison Bryant scored on a five-yard touchdown on the drive to help FAU extend their lead to two scores. The senior tight end Bryant (6’5” 240 pounds) would also score on the two-point conversion to make it a 21-7 game.
On the ensuing drive for FIU, Chris Tooley, formerly of Oak Ridge (Orlando) forced a fumble and the football was recovered by redshirt senior Noah Jefferson. Coach Kiffin was particularly impressed with the defensive effort.
“I thought we made them one dimensional besides the one long run obviously.”
The Owls would score off the turnover as Davidson would go in for his second touchdown of the game, this one from six yards out breaking a tackle en route. Davidson would get the trifecta again breaking tackles on his way to paydirt. The sophomore’s last touchdown perhaps his best as he would break free for a 26-yard touchdown breaking several tackles on his way to the end zone. Davidson came back from injury this game and finished his day with 144 yards on 17 carries and the three scores.
FINAL: @FAU_Football defeats @FIUFootball in the #ShulaBowl 37-7. Malcolm Davidson three rushing touchdowns. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/vZRnctpUuH
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 10, 2019
“He’s an explosive player. He’s been really banged up or else he would be looking at a really special year.”
The three touchdowns matched the 2019 NFL draft pick Devin Singletary’s three scores in the Shula Bowl last year. The 579 total yards were the most for the Owls this season.
FAU has won seven of their last eight games and has an outside shot to win the east division in Conference-USA if they win out, but would need a loss by Marshall as both are tied in the loss column with one loss. FAU’s lone loss in the conference was to Marshall 36-31 about three weeks back giving the Thundering Herd the tiebreaker edge.
FAU is guaranteed a bowl game with the seventh victory.
