Final Score: Florida Atlantic 49, UAB 34

Boca Raton, FL (Sports Network) - Rusty Smith threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Florida Atlantic Owls to a 49-34 victory over the UAB Blazers in a non-league at Lockhart Stadium.

Charles Pierre added 138 yards and scored twice on just 11 carries for the Owls (1-1), while Cortez Gent hauled in eight passes for 146 yards and one score in addition to throwing for another in the FAU victory.

Joe Webb completed 26-of-48 pass attempts for 326 yards and two touchdowns while adding 66 yards on the ground to lead UAB (0-2) in the losing effort. Frantrell Forrest grabbed 11 balls for 149 yards and a touchdown for the Blazers.

FAU wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as the Owls capped a seven- play, 60-yard opening drive with a 33-yard strike from Gent to Chris Bonner.

The Owls added another score midway through the period, as Smith completed a five-yard TD pass to Lester Jean.

The Blazers cut their deficit to 14-3 late in the frame with a 27-yard field goal by Swayze Waters.

A five-yard run by Pierre early in the second quarter gave the Owls a 21-3 lead.

The Blazers responded just minutes later, making the score 21-10 on a 20-yard pass play from Webb to Zach Lankford.

UAB found the end zone once more less than two minutes later, as Webb connected with Forrest for a 19-yard score.

The Owls added to their advantage late in the period as Smith and Gent combined for a 30-yard score to give FAU a 28-17 lead going into the break.

Aaron Johns made it into the end zone on a two-yard plunge early in the third period, but a two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Blazers five points behind at 28-23.

FAU padded its lead midway through the frame, as Smith hit Jean on a 30-yard scoring play to give the Owls a 35-23 advantage.

Waters connected on a 43-yard field goal with under two minutes remaining in the quarter, cutting the FAU lead to 35-26.

The Owls took a 42-26 lead early in the final period of play as DiIvory Edgecomb scored on a six-yard run.

The Blazers responded with an 10-yard run from Justin Brooks, capping a 13- play, 73-yard drive and followed up with a two-point conversion run by Rashaud Slaughter.

Pierre, however, put the final touch on the FAU victory in the last minute of the quarter with a 73-yard run that put the Owls ahead for good.

FAU finished the contest with 554 yards of offense on just 60 snaps, compared to 482 yards on 83 plays for the visitors.

09/06 20:54:44 ET