FIU wins Shula Bowl 33-31

I expected the Shula Bowl to be a close one and it lived up to the billing as the game featured five lead changes, big momentum swings, and gutsy decisions by the head coaches.

Unfortunately for FAU, the gambles Charlie Partridge took didn’t pay off and FIU did just enough to eek out a 33-31 win at home to take home the trophy. Austin Taylor made the go-ahead 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and FAU was never able to respond as the Owls are now 1-4 and 0-1 in conference play.

A pick six by Azeez Al-Shaair to start the second half gave FAU a 24-14 lead and all the momentum to begin the final half. Rather than panic and abandon the game plan, the Panthers answered back with 7-play…