Nov 23, 2002

Box Score

MIAMI (AP) - Eric Harper and Aaron Sanchez each rushed for a touchdown and Lee Pasick returned a fumble for a score as Florida Atlantic defeated Florida International 31-21 Saturday.

The game was the initial meeting between the Division 1AA South Florida schools, which are the two newest programs in the country. Florida International (5-6) completed its inaugural season and Florida Atlantic (2-9) is in its second season.

Florida International quarterback David Tabor threw touchdown passes to Cory McKinney and Harold Leath. Tabor started the second half in place of Jamie Burke, who suffered a dislocated left shoulder.

Florida Atlantic scored in the first quarter on an eight play, 57-yard drive capped by a 1-yard run by quarterback Jared Allen to give the Owls a 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Florida Atlantic scored two touchdowns in ten seconds. A 27-yard run by Sanchez gave Florida Atlantic a first-and-goal at the 6-yard line. Then Harper ran for a touchdown that made the score 14-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Florida International's Lagrant Perry fumbled while returning the kickoff. Pasick scooped up the ball and ran 14 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 score.