The situation offered Florida Atlantic coach Charlie Partridge an opportunity. The decision would be critical. A wrong one would squander a scoring chance; a right one, alter the game.
In the second half's opening drive of FAU's 38-30 season-opening win over Southern Illinois on Saturday night, the Owls faced a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line. A conservative call would result in a chip-shot field goal that would tie the game. Partridge did not opt for that route.
Instead, FAU went for it. With a quarterback in his third career start, FAU went for it.