Dec. 9, 2004
Boca Raton, FL --- More than 240 colleges and universities sponsor college football at one of the five NCAA levels, Florida Atlantic finished ranked No. 80 by the Sagarin Ratings, which are compiled by Jeff Sagarin and are published weekly in the USA Today. Among Sun Belt Conference members, the Owls finished behind Troy and ahead of four-time Sun Belt Conference champion North Texas. FAU also edged Hawaii, and all Florida schools, with the exception of Miami, Florida State and Florida.
FAU finished the 2004 season with a record of 9-3. That record, combined with the 2003 record of 11-3 gives the fledgling program a 20-6 two-year record. The 20 winds is tops in the state and can only be equaled by Miami, should the Hurricanes win the Peach Bowl.
Individually, senior Jared Allen, who is one of nine to play in every game during the program's four-year history, ended the regular-season with a 143.8 passing efficiency which would place him 19th among all Division I-A quarterbacks. Allen closed his junior campaign ranked No. 4 at the Division I-AA level. He closes his career with a 25-19 record.
Mark Myers ended his kicking career ranked No. 9 with 1.67 field goals per game after leading the nation much of the 2004 season. Willie Hughley also ended the season ranked ninth with .50 interceptions per game.
Florida Football 2003-2004
| 2003 | 2004 | 2-Year Total |
| Florida Atlantic | 11-3 | 9-3 | 20-6 |
| Miami | 11-2 | 8-3 | 19-5 |
| Florida State | 10-3 | 8-3 | 18-6 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 9-3 | 6-4 | 15-7 |
| Florida | 8-5 | 7-4 | 15-9 |
| South Florida | 7-4 | 4-7 | 11-11 |
| Florida A&M | 6-6 | 3-8 | 9-14 |
| Jacksonville | 5-6 | 3-7 | 8-13 |
| Florida International | 2-10 | 3-7 | 5-17 |
| UCF | 3-9 | 0-11 | 3-20 |
Florida Atlantic University began playing intercollegiate football in 2001, just 3 1/2 seasons ago. In that time frame, the Owls rose to a No. 4 national rank in 2003, falling to Colgate in the national Semifinal game. Along the way, several players have continuously been ranked among the nation's leaders.
This season, a year that most would anticipate a drop statistically, has been the complete opposite.
This season, the Owls are not calculated into the national ranking, but the leaders are listed below with their averages. Should FAU be included here is where they would stand among 118 Division I-A teams.
There are 118 teams included.
Jared Allen
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Passing Eff | 143.8 | 19th |
| Yards/game | 211.8 | 51st |
| Comp/game | 14.75 | 58th |
Roosevelt Bynes
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Rec Yards/Game | 62.7 | 68th |
Doug Parker
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Yards/Game | 74.67 | 70th |
Brittney Tellis
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Yds/return | 8.86 | T55th |
Anthony Jackson
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Kick/Ret | 24.77 | 20th |
K Myers
| Category | No. | Rank |
| FG/FGM | 1.67 | 9th |
| Points per game | 7.50 | T39th |
Mike Brown
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Yards/Punt | 41.89 | 38th |
Willie Hughley
| Category | No. | Rank |
| Interceptions | .50 | 9th |
Team Statistically
| Passes Int | 16 | T13 |
| Pass offense | 267.7 | T15 with MTSU |
| Rush defense | 106.0 | 16th |
| Scoring defense | 16.6 | 16th |
| Passing efficiency | 140.38 | 24th |
| Total defense | 335.33 | 37th |
| Total offense | 393.42 | 41st |
| Net Punting | 36.54 | 48th |
| Punt ret | 9.41 | 60th |
| Scoring | 24.36 | T69th with Notre Dame |
| Passes Intercepted | 13 | T69th |
| Kick-off ret | 19.09 | 77th |
| Passing def | 229.3 | 81st |
| Rush off | 125.75 | 88th |
