Dec. 1, 2008

SBC Release

Florida Atlantic University junior quarterback Rusty Smith and senior linebacker Frantz Joseph were named the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) "Players of the Week." The honor is Smith's second conference Offensive "Player of the Week" recognition within the last three weeks.

Smith led a late fourth-quarter comeback against rival Florida International University (4-7, 3-4 SBC) to force the game into overtime on November 29. FAU (6-6, 4-3 SBC) won 57-50, becoming bowl eligible. On the night, Smith was 25-of-50 for 389 pass yards and five touchdowns with one interception. Smith's 389 pass yards are second-most in his career and in school history.

Joseph earned SBC Defensive "Player of the Week" honors by tallying 15 total tackles against FIU, two of which were for a loss. The 15 tackles gives Joseph 141 tackles on the season, breaking his own single season record of 131 set in 2007. Joseph 141 stops also leads the SBC in total tackles. Joseph is the career-holder for tackles in a career at 333, a record he broke in FAU's last road game against Arkansas State University on November 22.

FAU is bowl eligible for the second consecutive season.