This year’s loss to Marshall was different. Leading late, the FAU Owls lost last year on a field goal that gave Marshall a 24-23 win as time expired.

FAU lost 35-16 to Marshall this afternoon, dropping them to 3-5 on the season and 2-2 in the conference. Here’s what you need to know from today’s loss:

— Marshall came into today’s game ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll. The Thundering Herd (8-0, 4-0 C-USA) are one of just two undefeated teams remaining in the country. They were favored by 28 points over Florida Atlantic.

— Florida Atlantic (3-5, 2-2 C-USA) went into halftime up 16-14. Greg Joseph hit three field goals, and tight end Alex Deleon provided the only Owl touchdown of the game after he and Jaquez Johnson connected for a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

— The Owls’ offense sputtered after halftime. Similar to their loss to Florida International, FAU just could not find a rhythm in the second half of play. Down 21-16, Jaquez Johnson threw to Nate Terry in the end zone — the first play of the fourth quarter. The pass was broken up, FAU lost possession, and three plays later, Marshall’s Devon Johnson scored on a 60-yard run.

— Devon Johnson gouged the Owl defense on several separate occasions. The Marshall running back scored on rushing touchdowns of 58, 62 and 66 yards on the day. The 58-yard rush was the very first Marshall play from scrimmage. Johnson finished with 272 total yards, a new Marshall record.

— FAU running back Greg Howell turned in another solid game, as did wide receiver Lucky Whitehead. In his second career game, the Coral Gables native rushed for 92 yards on 22 carries and may have secured his spot as the Owls’ featured running back. Whitehead totaled 102 yards on 11 catches.

FAU returns home to play UAB next week. The Owls are undefeated at home thus far and need to win their last two home games in order to have a shot at a bowl game. Concurrently, the Owls will need to win at least one road game, something they have failed to do to this point in the season.