Florida Atlantic Owls narrowly miss a comeback against Michigan State Spartans, falling 16-10 after a controversial overturned targeting call. FAU’s defense shows promise ahead of their home opener.
Bollywood Fever: The Florida Atlantic Owls came agonizingly close to staging a comeback against the Michigan State Spartans on Friday night at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Despite trailing 16-3 at halftime, the Owls mounted a second-half surge, narrowing the gap to 16-10 with a touchdown by wide receiver Jayshon Platt.
With the momentum shifting, all the Owls needed was another touchdown, but their hopes were dashed in a controversial sequence late in the game.
With just over three minutes remaining, the Owls were driving into Michigan State territory when a pivotal 4th-and-1 play saw FAU quarterback Cam Fancher apparently targeted by a Spartan defender.
Flags were thrown, and it seemed the Owls might benefit from a critical penalty.
However, after a video review, the targeting call was overturned, and the Spartans regained possession as FAU failed to convert on the fourth down.
The only penalty that stood was an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Michigan State, which did not benefit FAU.
After the 16-10 defeat, FAU head coach Tom Herman expressed his frustration during the postgame press conference.
“To the guys on the field, he made the right call. So how that gets overturned with clear video evidence that wasn’t targeting? I haven’t seen the replay,” Herman said. “They review every targeting, and somebody in New York or Dallas or wherever they do these things said that it wasn’t targeting, but that it was a late hit… So how that wasn’t targeting? I’m a little confused.”
Herman also reflected on a missed pass interference call earlier in the game, where he believed Michigan State got away with a penalty.
“When I saw that happen, I was like, ‘Okay, guys, all bets are off. We’re not calling PIs on offsides, so that was my fault.’”
The loss was a bitter pill for the Owls, who had several opportunities to take the lead but couldn’t capitalize. Nevertheless, the game highlighted FAU’s defensive growth, a promising sign as they move past last season’s disappointing 4-8 finish.
Looking ahead, FAU will aim to build on the positives from this performance as they prepare for their home opener and conference debut against new AAC opponent Army on September 7 at noon ET.
Despite the tough loss, the Owls demonstrated resilience and potential, signaling a brighter future as the season progresses.
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