The feeling has become familiar for Florida Atlantic, but the response has been both consistent and promising.
For the third time in the last 13 games, FAU hung with a state power before falling, this time a 38-10 defeat at Miami on Saturday. The Owls (1-1) also gave the Hurricanes fits last year in Boca Raton, as they did Florida in Gainesville last November.
But each time, FAU was dealt a defeat. Each time, the Owls refused to accept a moral victory.
“Nobody last year in Gainesville or when Miami came up to Boca was happy with it being close for two and a half quarters,” FAU coach Charlie Partridge said.