FAU unable to hold halftime lead, falls on road to UTEP

Published October 24, 2015

Oct 10, 2015; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls running back Marcus Clark (20) runs is tackled by Rice Owls cornerback Jorian Clark (20) during the second half at FAU Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- Mack Leftwich threw a career-high three touchdown passes, including a pair to Tyler Batson, to help UTEP end a two-game skid and beat Florida Atlantic 27-17 Saturday night.

Leftwich completed 20 of 39 passes for 271 yards -- also a career best -- in his first action since suffering a concussion against New Mexico State on Sept. 19. Batson finished with three receptions for a career-high 143 yards.

FAU (1-6, 1-3 Conference USA), which came in averaging 23.2 points per game, scored all of its points in the second quarter to take a three-point lead into the half.

Leftwich and Batson connected for a 30-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to put UTEP (3-4, 1-2) in front 21-17. Jay Mattox added field goals of 35 and 42 yards in the fourth for the Miners.

Trey Rodriguez finished with 114 yards rushing and a score for the Owls.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/fau-unable-to-hold-halftime-lead-falls-on-road-to-utep