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FACTS & STATS: Site: Lockhart Stadium (20,500) -- Boca Raton, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: Wyoming 2-1, FAU 0-1. Away Record: Wyoming 0-1, FAU 0-2. Neutral Record: Wyoming 0-0, FAU 0-0. Conference Record: Wyoming 1-0, FAU 0-1. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Florida Atlantic Owls will try to grab their first victory of the season when they host the Wyoming Cowboys in the first-ever meeting between the two schools this Saturday at Lockhart Stadium.

The Cowboys head into this game fresh off a 30-27 victory over UNLV. It was the first win for Wyoming since opening the season with a 29-22 decision over Weber State. Playing as the visitor has been a problem for the Cowboys since the beginning of 2006, as the team is just 2-10 on the road.

As for the Owls, they have dropped their first three games of the season, including a 27-25 setback to UL-Monroe this past Saturday. Usually playing in front of a home crowd would benefit a team, but since the beginning of the 2006 campaign the Owls have not cashed in on that advantage, posting a mediocre 7-6 ledger.

The Cowboys scored 10 fourth quarter points to earn a come from behind victory on Saturday over UNLV, 30-27. The majority of the success came through the air, as Austyn Carta-Samuels threw for 234 yards and three scores on 24-of-37 passing. The success of the passing attack overshadowed a meager effort by the ground game which rumbled for just 109 yards on 3.4 yards per attempt. Alvester Alexander led the way, but tallied just 42 yards, while Carta-Samuels added 34 yards on 12 totes. It was clearly the most impressive performance on the year for Carta-Samuels, who has just 528 yards on the season on 55.6 percent passing. Carta-Samuels will need to continue to progress however, especially since the ground game has struggled to produce just 129.0 ypg on the ground. The main option in the backfield has been Alexander, but the tailback heads into this weekend with just 169 yards and one score on 4.8 yards per tote.

Although the Cowboys were victorious on Saturday the defense did not put forth a top-notch effort. In fact, the unit was embarrassed by UNLV, as the Rebels racked up 386 total yards, including 260 yards through the air. Fortunately the Cowboys did force four turnovers in the win, and that overshadowed the fact the defense allowed UNLV to convert on 10-of-17 third down chances and five of six red zone attempts. After four games it is evident this defense has trouble defending the pass, as opponents are currently torching Wyoming for 277.5 passing ypg. What has helped Wyoming survive defensively has been its ability to make big plays when it counts most, as the team has recorded 11 takeaways on the season, eight of which have been interceptions. Brian Hendricks is currently leading the team with 50 tackles, while Gabe Knapton has collected 45 stops to go along with 3.0 TFLs.

After scoring just 19 combined points in their first two games, the Owls posted 25 points against UL-Monroe on Saturday. However, it was still not enough for a win. Alfred Morris led the ground game with 122 yards and one score on 5.3 yards per carry, but it was the passing attack that really did damage, as Rusty Smith threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns on 30-of-50 passing efficiency. Jason Harmon was very busy in the loss, as the receiver hauled in 11 receptions for 132 yards, while Chris Bonner collected five passes for 76 yards and one score. After three games the Owls have only scored five offensive touchdowns, and four have come via the pass. Along with the four TD passes, Smith has also thrown for 709 yards and three interceptions on 58.9 percent passing. The ground game has not been as consistent, but Morris has been the top option out of the backfield, rushing for 286 yards and one score on 4.5 yards per attempt. As a team the Owls are averaging 387.7 total ypg, but that has translated into just 14.7 ppg.

Defensively the Owls surrendered 20 points in the first half and could not recover. Florida Atlantic allowed just 364 total yards, but what really hurt this unit was its inability to stop the run, as the Warhawks churned out 157 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries. Stopping the run has been a major concern in the early stages of the season, as the team is being punished for 234.3 ypg on the ground and out of the 15 touchdowns surrendered by this unit 12 have come via the run. On top of the poor effort against the run, the defense for FAU also lacks big play ability as the unit has forced just three turnovers, while collecting just three sacks. The defense has also struggled inside its own zone, as opponents have converted on 13-of-14 red zone chances.

The Owls made strides last week offensively, and should continue their progression this weekend against Wyoming. The Owls do possess a dangerous aerial assault, and that should bode well against the Cowboys, who have struggled to stop the pass.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Florida Atlantic 34, Wyoming 27