FACTS & STATS: Site: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium (23,000) -- Bowling Green, Kentucky. Television: None. Home Record: FAU 1-1, WKU 1-1. Away Record: FAU 0-4, WKU 1-4. Neutral Record: FAU 0-0, WKU 0-0. Conference Record: FAU 0-2, WKU 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: Two teams desperate for a win meet in a non-conference bout in Bowling Green, as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers play host to the Florida Atlantic Owls. The Owls enter the contest still in search of their first road win of the season. They are also trying to avoid a fifth straight loss. FAU was last in action on October 7th, falling to Troy in a 30-17 final. WKU opened its season by playing five of six on the road, including trips to Kentucky, nationally-ranked Alabama and Virginia Tech. Last week, the Hilltoppers were beaten at home by No. 25 Ball State. They play five of their final seven games at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. This marks the first-ever meeting between these two schools on the gridiron, though it should be the first of many. WKU is set to join the Sun Belt Conference full-time starting next season.

FAU quarterback Rusty Smith had a rough day against a not-so-spectacular Troy defense. Sure, he threw for 283 yards and a touchdown. But he also threw a pair of interceptions and completed only 21-of-42 passes. The offensive line didn't give him a whole lot of time to operate, as he was sacked four times. He also didn't get a whole lot of help from the running game, as the Owls ran for just 75 yards (2.4 ypc) as a team. That's been the case all season long for an FAU club that ranks 105th in the nation in rushing offense. With the lack of balance, Florida Atlantic is scoring just 15 ppg, second-to-last in the nation.

The Owls' defense doesn't create many turnovers (-1.83), and they don't cause much chaos in the backfield (108th in tackles for loss). As a result, they've had plenty of trouble getting off the field, often yielding significant margins in time of possession. The defense has been especially vulnerable in the red zone, allowing opponents to score on 81 percent of their trips. Against Troy, the Owls were ravaged for 233 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Frantz Joseph collected 11 tackles (1.5 TFL) and a forced fumble in a losing effort. He has been the heart and soul of the defense all year long, leading the conference while ranking second nationally with 75 tackles.

Despite WKU being shut out until the final minute last week, Ball State head coach Brady Hoke was quick to praise the Hilltoppers offense. In particular, it was the rushing attack that was particularly effective. As a team, the Hilltoppers ran for 183 yards (5.4 ypc). That helped set up manageable down- and-distances, and they were able to sustain drives by converting 6-of-13 third downs. David Wolke completed 17-of-29 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Wideout Jake Gaebler caught 10 passes for 100 yards and a TD.

By and large, the WKU defense has had its troubles. They are allowing an average of 363 yards and 26.6 points per game. Still, they did manage to hold a ranked team with plenty of offensive weapons to 24 points. Ball State running back MiQuale Lewis got his 100 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Nate Davis added another two scores through the air. But Davis was held to just 155 yards and was also intercepted. Taurean Smith led the way with 10 tackles for WKU.

It's only a matter of time before the Hilltoppers start knocking off their future Sun Belt opponents, especially with the roughest part of their schedule in the rearview mirror.