Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jason Driskel led his offense down 55 yards on Florida Atlantic’s first drive of the game.

Then the Owls (1-2) flew into a brick wall, en route to a 63-7 defeat —  the largest margin of defeat in program history.

The 63 points marks the most allowed by an FAU defense, surpassing the previous record of 61 which occurred twice — a 61-14 loss to Connecticut in 2002 and a 61-10 defeat to Louisville in 2005.

Kansas State’s defense forced a punt and put together a 15-play, 89-yard drive to capture a 7-0 lead. Each team’s second drive finished identical to their first — an FAU punt leading to a Wildcat touchdown.

Trailing 14-0, still in the first quarter, Driskel threw an interception. The Wildcats ran for a 10-yard touchdown on their first play after the turnover.

The next play from scrimmage Driskel dropped back and the ball slipped out of his hands as he attempted to throw it. Kansas State collected the fumble, and one play later scored its second touchdown in 21 seconds —  the team’s third touchdown in a 1:48 span.

Kansas State forced another Driskel fumble toward the end of the second quarter, his third turnover of the half. The defense recovered it at the 1-yard line before the Wildcats offense punched in their fifth touchdown of the half.

The Owls entered halftime trailing 42-0.

Kansas State finished the half with more rushing yards (207), passing yards (105) and penalty yards against (110) than the Owls had total yards (76).

The Owls defense played much stronger in the second half, holding the Wildcats to 21 points. Much of that can be attributed to the fact that most of Kansas State’s starters watched the half from the sidelines.

FAU junior running back Greg Howell erased the shutout in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run. He has scored a touchdown in each of the Owls first three games this year.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Kalib Woods collected 82 yards on seven catches, including a 39-yard catch which set up Howell’s touchdown.

Redshirt freshman running back Kerrith Whyte ran for a team and career high 54 yards on 10 carries.

The Owls next game will be against Ball State University, next Saturday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m.

Brendan Feeney is the sports editor of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @feeney42.