Florida Atlantic 24, Central Michigan 21.

DETROIT -- Florida Atlantic has played eight seasons of major college football and already has the hang of it in bowl games.

Rusty Smith threw for 307 yards and two second-half touchdowns to help the Owls beat Central Michigan 24-21 on Friday night in the Motor City Bowl.

Florida Atlantic began playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2001 but has won both its postseason games.

The teams were tied 10-all midway through the third quarter when Smith hit Chris Bonner with a 52-yard scoring pass. Smith found Cortez Gent with an 18-yard strike early in the fourth to give the Owls (7-6) a bit of a cushion.