College Football In Florida

Florida Atlantic University had been so bad in football that hiring a coach fired three times appeared to be a step up.

That coach was Lane Kiffin. And in one year he has remade lethargic program mired in failure into one ready to step out on to a big, bright stage.

The Owls destroyed Akron 50-3 in the Boca Raton Bowl on Wednesday night in a game played in the Owls’ own stadium. Their quarterback, Jason Driskel was named MVP and returns next year. So does leading rusher Devin Singletary. And, with a new 10-year contract in hand, so does Kiffin.

The Owls hadn’t been to a bowl game since 2008. They were coming off three straight 3-9 seasons. Now?

Now FAU owns an 11-3 season, its first Conference USA championship and 10 consecutive victories. The Owls allowed 32 points in their last three games and scored 174.

“We’re just getting started,” Kiffin said.

Of course. His team won a bowl game in its own stadium and Wednesday is National Signing Day, the first early one for recruits. Don’t think that big show in the bowl game hurts at all when young, impressionable minds feel the vibe.

“Someone asked me before the game what would you say to the recruits,” Kiffin told ESPN. “I say, ‘Watch the next 3 ½ hours and you’ll figure it out.'”

It was well worth watching. We can hardly wait to tune in for next season’s opener … at Oklahoma. Welcome to the big time.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman