BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic scored 24 points in the second half, and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat FIU for the ninth time in series rivlary.

Damian Fortner was a big part for the win. He averaged 9.1 yards a carry, having 110 yards, and two touchdowns from 3 and 4 yards out. He also broke off two 20+ yard runs.

"I'm extremely proud of our guys, we might have started the season off not the best. But we finished it strong and won the most important game on our schedule." Said head coach Greg Patterson after the game.

Jonathan Wallace also a nice day on the ground. Rushing for 77 yards off 16 carries.

Both teams had almost identical stats. FIU (3-9, 2-6 Conference USA) and Florida Atlantic (5-7, 4-4 Conference USA) both had 20 first downs, FIU only had 10 more yards of total offense with 10. Each having one turnover, which was an interception. Each team also punted it 5 times each and FAU had 1 more minute of TOP.

Florida International had a 10 point lead entering the second quarter thanks to a field goal early and a 31 yard touchdown pass from Jake Medlock to Will Wright with 0:10 left.

Florida Atlantic would kick three field goals, their last one with only 0:01 left till halftime. FIU would also kick a field goal in the second quarter. The Panthers entered halftime with a 13-9 lead.

Both defenses started to perform not as well, as they did in the first half for the second half.

Florida Atlantic started the second half off with Damian Fortner finding the end-zone to take a 16-13 lead. FIU halfback K. Rhodes would find the end-zone and another field goal by Mitch Anderson had the Panthers leading 20-19 going into the fourth quarter.

FIU opened the fourth with a field goal to give them a 23-19 lead. But, FAU would score two touchdowns within two minutes, thanks to an interception by Cre'Von LeBlanc. A couple plays after the interception Stephen Curtis found Marcus Cunningham wide open on a crossing route and Cunningham dived into the end-zone from 30 yards out.

FIU would kick a field goal with 2:24 left to only be down 33-26. But, would be unable to get the ball back.

Despite only throwing 1 interception, Stephen Curtis had a rough day passing. Only completing 11 of 29 yards (37 Comp%), but did have 200 yards passing. Big chuck of that yardage were by Williams Dukes and Alex Deleon. Dukes caught 4 passes for 88 yards and Deleon caught a big 46 yard pass leading to a touchdown for the Owls.

The Owls played really well against the run. K. Rhodes ran for 124 yards and a touchdown off 25 carries. Medlock had 8 rushes for 30 yards. He also threw for 270 yards and a lone touchdown, and interception.

Both teams will have to watch how the bowl games play out at home, as both will not be heading to a bowl game this winter. This marks the fifth straight season FAU will not be heading to a bowl game.