Boca Raton Bowl 2019: 3 takeaways from FAU’s big win over SMU

C-USA champion FAU downed SMU on their home field in the Boca Raton Bowl. What did we learn from the Owls victory on the first Saturday of bowl season?

After missing a bowl game last year, SMU put together the school’s best season since the days of the Pony Express before the Death Penalty fell on the program. Already boasting 10 wins, the Mustangs remained stuck there as their momentum stalled in the postseason. Against an FAU team that lost head coach Lane Kiffin to Ole Miss, SMU dropped a 52-28 decision in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl that extended their bowl win drought to seven years and counting.

With the win, FAU stayed perfect in the postseason with their fourth bowl victory in four appearances. For the second time in the past three seasons, the Owls finished the year 11-3 in the standings.

Bowl games are often considered an opportunity for a team to get a well-deserved vacation to a new destination. But there is something to be said about getting to sleep in your own bed, eat like you are used to eating, and getting to take the field at a familiar venue when you are playing the last game of the season.

After an 8-0 start, SMU lost three of their final five games to close the 2019 campaign with a whimper. It is still a season worth celebrating in Dallas, but the Mustangs were unable to cap it with a bowl win.

What did we learn from this showdown in Florida on the first Saturday of bowl season? Here are three things to take away from the Owls win in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.