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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Sean Clayton threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns, leading Florida Atlantic past Southern Utah 32-7 on Thursday night.
Florida Atlantic (2-4) won its home opener for the first time in the program's six-year history. The Owls were the last team in Division I-A to open their home schedule this season; Division I-AA Grambling plays its home opener Oct. 21.
Charles Pierre rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown for the Owls. Clayton completed 14 of 24 passes and Rusty Smith also threw a touchdown pass for Florida Atlantic, which has won two straight overall.
Wes Marshall was 17-of-32 for 173 yards for I-AA's Southern Utah (3-4), which has dropped three of four. Marshall threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Brett Johansen in the fourth quarter, ensuring the Thunderbirds would avoid the shutout.
Florida Atlantic scored on its first two possessions, on the way to opening up a 25-0 halftime lead.
Pierre's 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter made it 9-0, Clayton threw an 11-yard scoring pass to tight end Jason Harmon for the Owls' second touchdown and Smith found Chad Wilkes with a 1-yard TD throw with 25 seconds left before halftime.
Avery Holley caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Clayton in the fourth quarter for FAU, which hadn't played on its home Lockhart Stadium field in nearly a full year -- since Oct. 15, 2005.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-10-12-06 2027MDT
