The 2008 Florida Atlantic University Owls football team represented Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...

 in the 2008 college football season. The team was coached by Howard Schnellenberger

Howard Schnellenberger

Howard Schnellenberger is an American football coach at both the professional and college level. He is currently in his final season as head coach of Florida Atlantic University, having announced his retirement on August 11, 2011, effective at the end of the 2011 season...

 and played their home games at Lockhart Stadium

Lockhart Stadium

Lockhart Stadium is a stadium located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. It is currently used by Fort Lauderdale High School, Stranahan High School, Northeast High School and Dillard High School for home high school football games, and previously served as the home of the Florida Atlantic...

 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The Owls entered the season as defending Sun Belt Conference

Sun Belt Conference

The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...

 Champions (splitting the title with Troy

Troy University

Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...

).

Preseason

The Florida Atlantic Owls entered the 2008

2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season

The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...

 college football season defending their conference championship and just one year removed from their first-ever bowl appearance and victory. The record-setting 2007 team

2007 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

The 2007 Florida Atlantic University Owls football team represented Florida Atlantic University in the 2007 college football season. The team was coached by Howard Schnellenberger and played their home games at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, FL...

 ended the season 8-5 (6-1 SBC). Quarterback Rusty Smith, a junior, returned with much hype and national recognition. The 2008 team also returned an overwhelming majority of starters from the conference champion team, as it only lost four seniors (DB Kris Bartels, OL Jarrid Smith, LB Cergile Sincere, DL Josh Pinnick).

In the Preseason Sun Belt Coaches' Poll, the Owls were a clear favorite to repeat as champions. FAU received 62 total points and 6 first-place votes.

Preseason Sun Belt Players of the Year

• Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Offense: Rusty Smith (QB, Jr.)
• Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Defense: Frantz Joseph (LB, Sr.)

Preseason All-Sun Belt honors

• Rusty Smith (QB, Jr.)
• Cortez Gent (WR, Jr.)
• Nick Paris (OL, Sr.)
• Jervonte Jackson (DL, Sr.)
• Robert St. Clair (DL, Sr.)
• Frantz Joseph (LB, Sr.)
• Tavious Polo (CB, So.)
• Corey Small (CB, Sr.)

Schedule

Mid-season awards and honors

• Week 12 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, Offense: Rusty Smith
  Rusty Smith
  Rusty Smith is a short track speed skater from the United States who won bronze in the 500m at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and another bronze in the 5000m relay at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin....
  
  (QB, Jr.)
• Week 12 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, Defense: Corey Small (CB, Sr.)
• Week 14 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, Offense: Rusty Smith (QB, Jr.)
• Week 14 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, Defense: Frantz Joseph (LB, Sr.)
• 2008 Shula Bowl Most Valuable Player: Rusty Smith (QB, Jr.)

All-Sun Belt honors

• First Team All-Sun Belt Conference:
  • Jervonte Jackson (DL, Sr.)
  • Frantz Joseph (LB, Sr.)
  • Corey Small (CB, Sr.)
• Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference:
  • Jamari Grant (TE, Jr.)
  • John Rizzo (OL, Sr.)
  • Nick Paris (OL, Sr.)
  • Charles Pierre (RB, Sr.)

Records broken in 2008

The 2008 football season saw numerous school records broken.

Statistic	Previous Record	New Record
Passing Touchdowns (Career)	Jared Allen (2001-'04, 50 TD)	Rusty Smith (2006-pres., 60 TD)
Rushing Yards (Career)	Doug Parker (2001-'05, 1981 yards)	Charles Pierre (2005-'08, 3015 yards)
Rushing Yards (Season)	Doug Parker ('04, 896 yards)	Charles Pierre ('08, 960 yards)
Rushing Touchdowns (Career)	Doug Parker (2001-'05, 21 TD)	Charles Pierre (2005-'08, 23 TD)
Receiving Touchdowns (Career)	Anthony Crissinger-Hill (2001-'04, 14 TD)	Cortez Gent (2006-pres., 17 TD)
Total Tackles (Career)	Chris Laskowski (2001-'04, 294 tackles)	Frantz Joseph (2006-'08, 333 tackles)
Total Tackles (Season)	Frantz Joseph ('07, 131 tackles)	Frantz Joseph ('08, 141 tackles)