What Is 2017 Florida Atlantic Owls football

Overview

The 2017 Florida Atlantic Owls football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as members of Conference USA. Led by first-year head coach Lane Kiffin, who was hired in December 2016, the team aimed to build on previous success under former coach Charlie Partridge.

This season marked a transitional year with new leadership and heightened expectations due to Kiffin's national profile. The Owls played their home games at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA.

• Lane Kiffin took over as head coach in December 2016, bringing significant media attention and recruiting momentum to the program.
• The Owls finished the 2017 regular season with a 6–6 record, becoming bowl-eligible for the second consecutive year.
• They competed in the East Division of Conference USA, finishing third behind division champion Old Dominion and Middle Tennessee.
• Quarterback Jason Driskel started most games, throwing for 2,155 yards and 16 touchdowns during the season.
• The team averaged 28.3 points per game and allowed 28.5 points per game, reflecting a closely contested season.

How It Works

The 2017 season operated under standard NCAA FBS rules and Conference USA scheduling structures, with the Owls playing a 12-game regular season schedule followed by a bowl game. The team's performance was shaped by coaching changes, player development, and competitive matchups.

• Head Coaching Transition:Lane Kiffin replaced Charlie Partridge, shifting the team's culture and recruiting approach with his high-profile background.
• Non-Conference Schedule: The Owls faced Albany, UAB, and UCF, with UCF being a rising Group of Five powerhouse that finished 13-0 that year.
• Conference Play: They played eight Conference USA games, including key matchups against division rivals Old Dominion and Western Kentucky.
• Bowl Eligibility: Achieving 6 wins made them eligible for postseason play, culminating in a bid to the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.
• Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 371.2 yards per game, ranking in the bottom half nationally, which impacted close game outcomes.
• Offensive Scheme: Kiffin implemented a pro-style offensive system, emphasizing quarterback decision-making and balanced run-pass distribution.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Florida Atlantic Owls compared to key peers in Conference USA and similar mid-major programs:

The Owls’ performance placed them in the middle tier of Conference USA. While they didn’t match Old Dominion’s 10-win season, they outperformed struggling programs like Marshall and Charlotte. Their bowl appearance maintained a streak of postseason participation, but the narrow loss in the Boca Raton Bowl highlighted room for improvement.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was pivotal for Florida Atlantic football, signaling both continuity and the challenges of coaching transitions at the mid-major level. It set the foundation for future success under Kiffin, who would lead the team to an undefeated regular season in 2017.

• The hiring of Lane Kiffin elevated the program’s national profile, attracting higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes.
• Competing in a bowl game for the second straight year demonstrated program stability despite coaching turnover.
• The Owls’ 27–24 loss to Central Michigan in the Boca Raton Bowl exposed defensive inconsistencies under pressure.
• Development of quarterback Jason Driskel was critical, as he became a key bridge to future signal-callers like Dequan Finn.
• The season helped FAU maintain visibility in the Group of Five landscape, aiding in media exposure and fan engagement.
• Attendance and local support in Boca Raton remained steady, showing community investment in the football program.

Overall, the 2017 season was a building block year. While not a championship campaign, it laid the groundwork for FAU’s remarkable 11-0 regular season in 2017 under Kiffin’s leadership.