The 2007 R+L CarriersNew Orleans Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game. Part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, it was played on December 21, 2007, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
The Memphis Tigers of Conference USA, faced the Florida Atlantic Owls, winners of the Sun Belt Conference title for the first time in school history. Both teams had a regular-season record of 7–5.
The game was Memphis's third bowl game in four years. The Tigers' season was marked by the murder of defensive end Taylor Bradford on September 30, but the team carried on to a winning record and its first bowl appearance since the 2005 Motor City Bowl. The Owls have only played college football since 2001, and this game was their first bowl appearance. The seven years between the creation of the FAU college football team and this bowl appearance marked the quickest a team had ever appeared in a bowl game after its establishment. Florida Atlantic led the NCAA in turnover margin. FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger led the Miami Hurricanes to a National Championship in 1983. At the time of the 2007 New Orleans Bowl, Schnellenberger was the third-oldest head coach in Division I football.
Game summary
The 2007 New Orleans Bowl kicked off at 8:00 p.m. EST at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game was broadcast nationally in the United States on ESPN2.
First Quarter
Florida Atlantic received the ball to begin the game. On the opening kickoff, the Owls managed an excellent kick return that placed the ball on their own 48-yard line. FAU used the field position to their advantage, and entered Memphis territory on the first play of the game from scrimmage. In just five plays, Florida Atlantic penetrated the Memphis red zone, and two more plays set up the Owls inside the Memphis five-yard line. With 12:03 remaining in the first quarter, FAU quarterback Rusty Smith connected on a four-yard touchdown pass to running back Charles Pierre. The touchdown was the first score of the game and with a successful extra point, the score gave the Owls the early lead, 7-0.
With over 12 minutes still remaining in the first quarter, Memphis received the Owls' kickoff to start their first possession of the game. A short return set up the Tigers at their own 33-yard line, and two quick rushes picked up their first first down of the game. On their third play, Memphis quarterback Martin Hankins connected on a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Carlton Robinzine, driving the Tigers into Owl territory. As had the Owls, Memphis advanced the ball steadily, and penetrated the Florida Atlantic red zone with ease. With 9:20 remaining, Hankins connected on his 23rd touchdown pass of the season, an eight-yard strike to tight end Brett Russell. The touchdown tied the score at 7-7 with more than half the first quarter still remaining. Each team had scored on its opening possession, and the game promised to turn into a high-scoring shootout.
Florida Atlantic's second possession of the game got off to an even better start than its first possession. Wide receiver Diivory Edgecomb, who was ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference in kick return yardage, broke free for a long 62-yard return that enabled the Owls to begin their possession deep in Memphis territory on the Memphis 28. Taking advantage of the excellent field position, Florida Atlantic picked up a quick first down, but once inside the Memphis 10-yard line, the Tiger defense stiffened and created the first defensive stop of the day. Due to the excellent field position, however, Florida Atlantic still managed to put points on the scoreboard via a 22-yard field goal by Warley Leroy. The kick was successful, and with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter, Florida Atlantic again took the lead, this time by a score of 10-7.