By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

Don Shula Bowl XVI will be played this Saturday at FAU Stadium. For the first time in the 15-year history of the series between FIU and Florida Atlantic both teams are bowl-eligible and are over .500. And for the first time in the Shula Bowl series the Panthers and Owls are playing for a possible spot in the conference championship game. The road to the title game is a bit more difficult for FIU which depends on beating FAU and the Owls losing to Charlotte the following week. FAU just has to defeat FIU to reach the C-USA title game.

Like any rivalry there are quirky back stories. FAU started football in 2001 one year before FIU's inaugural season. However, the Panthers became a Division I program before the Owls because as the story goes FIU's application to the Sun Belt Conference offices arrived before FAU's. Before FAU hired its first coach Howard Schnellenberger, FIU interviewed Schnellenberger for its head coaching job. But some in the FIU administration thought Schnellenberger was maybe too old to start a college football program and decided to go with Don Strock.

The Owls dominated the Shula series early winning eight of the first nine games. The Panthers have won four of the last six Shula bowls. FIU has the largest margin of victory in the series -- 46 points -- in its 52-6 win in Shula Bowl IV. FAU's biggest margin of victory was two years later in Shula Bowl VI with a 55-23 win at the Orange Bowl.

For those new to the rivalry, the Shula Bowl is named after former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula because of he being the patriarch of football in South Florida and his ties to the two original head coaches of FIU and FAU. FIU's inaugural coach Don Strock was Shula's longtime backup quarterback with the Dolphins. FAU's first coach Howard Schnellenberger was Shula's offensive coordinator on the great early 1970's Dolphins teams, including the NFL's only perfect season in 1972.

Throughout this rivalry there have been some interesting games, outstanding plays and unusual moments in the six stadiums that have hosted the Shula Bowl. The six stadiums are the Dolphins home stadium (which has had many names throughout the years), FIU Community Stadium, Orange Bowl, FIU Stadium, Lockhart Stadium and FAU Stadium. 

Having had the privilege of covering all 15 Shula Bowls whether it was as the FIU beat writer for the Miami Herald or broadcasting six Shula Bowls on the radio or as an FIU writer, here are my rankings of all 15 games between FIU and FAU.

15. Shula Bowl V (2006, Dolphin Stadium) FAU 31, FIU 0 – It was the second to last game that FIU's first coach Don Strock would coach after learning he was fired with four games left in the season. Not much to see here for the FIU faithful in a downpour at then-Dolphin Stadium.

FAU MVP: QB Rusty Smith (13 of 20, 178 yds, 2 TDs); FIU MVP: WR Chandler Williams (6 rec. 60 yds)

14. Shula Bowl XII (2013, FAU Stadium) FAU 21, FIU 6 – Because both teams were in their first season in Conference USA this Shula Bowl did not follow the script of a home-and-home series. FAU hosted the Shula Bowl for the second straight season and this time had a better result for the Owls. The Panthers could only muster 132 total yards in a Shula Bowl win that made FAU bowl-eligible. Owls MVP Martin Wright had a Shula Bowl record 4.5 sacks in the game.

FAU MVP: DE Martin Wright (4.5 sacks); FIU MVP: LB Markeith Russell (10 tackles)



13. Shula Bowl IX (2010, Lockhart Stadium) FAU 21, FIU 9 – Nothing went right for FIU on a sweltering Saturday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale. The Panthers twice were inside the FAU 10 and only came away with three points. FIU's offense led by quarterback Wesley Carroll (photo above) had 360 total yards but couldn't get in the end zone. The loss dropped the Panthers to 2-5 before FIU won four straight games to win the Sun Belt Conference title on the "Hilton Weave" against Arkansas State.

FAU MVP: WR Lester Jean (114 rec yds, TD); FIU MVP: WR T.Y. Hilton (124 rec yds)
 
12. Shula Bowl VI (2007, Orange Bowl) FAU 55, FIU 23 – The Owls raced to a 35-3 lead in the only Shula Bowl played in the historic Orange Bowl – which was FIU's home stadium for the 2007 season while FIU Stadium was being renovated. Fittingly, Don Shula attended the only Shula Bowl played at his former home stadium where he had the most success as the Miami Dolphins coach.

FAU MVP: QB Rusty Smith (20 of 30, 330 yds, 4 TDs); FIU MVP: RB A'mod Ned (91 total yds, 2 TDs)
 
11. Shula Bowl XIV (2015, FAU Stadium) FAU 31, FIU 17 – The second time in a Shula Bowl that FAU hurt FIU's chances to become bowl-eligible. The Owls were 1-6 entering the game. FIU was two wins from bowl-eligibility with FAU and lowly Charlotte for its next two games before meeting C-USA powers Marshall and WKU to end the season. The Owls jumped to a 17-0 lead that FIU could not recover from. The Panthers defeated Charlotte the following week before losing to the Thundering Herd and the Hilltoppers to finish the season 5-7.

FAU MVP: RB Trey Rodriguez (94 rush yds, 2 TDs); FIU MVP: RB Alex Gardner (105 rush yds)

 

10. Shula Bowl XIII (2014, FIU Stadium) FIU 38, FAU 10 – The Panthers scored 24 unanswered points to literally run away with this Shula Bowl. The highlight of the game was another Richard Leonard 100-yard return for a touchdown. This time Leonard (photo above) scooped up a fumble by Jay Warren at the goal line and scampered back 100 yards for the score to extend the FIU lead to 24-10.

FIU MVP: CB Richard Leonard (100-yd fumble ret TD, INT); FAU MVP: WR Lucky Whitehead (84 rec yds)
 
9. Shula Bowl I (2002, Pro Player Stadium) FAU 31, FIU 21 – The much-anticipated first Don Shula Bowl got off to an ominous start for the Panthers when quarterback Jamie Burke broke his collarbone on the first series of the game. FIU's first points in a Shula Bowl came in the second quarter on a safety when Owls punter Andy Rosas was tackled in the end zone.

FAU MVP: QB Jared Allen (9 of 16, 109 yds, rush TD); FIU MVP: RB Jerrid Lundstedt (122 rush yds, TD)
 
8. Shula Bowl II (2003, FIU Community Stadium) FAU 32, FIU 23 – FIU started out to a 14-0 lead on two Adam Gorman touchdown runs. The Panthers led 23-21 before two fourth quarter turnovers led to 11 FAU points and the Owls win.

FAU MVP: QB Jared Allen (22 of 32, 281 yds, TD); FIU MVP: RB Adam Gorman (92 rush yds, 2 TDs)

7. Shula Bowl VIII (2009, FIU Stadium) FAU 28, FIU 21 – Future Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris ran for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to snap a 14-14 tie. Morris ran for a Shula Bowl record 158 yards. The Owls defense limited T.Y. Hilton to just 28 yards.

FAU MVP: RB Alfred Morris (158 rush yds, 2 TDs); FIU MVP: RB Daunte Owens (86 rush yds, 2 TDs)
 
6. Shula Bowl III (2004, Pro Player Stadium) FAU 17, FIU 10 – Two touchdowns in the final 3:21 of the game made an otherwise boring contest have an exciting finish. The Owls took a 17-3 lead with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter. FIU answered with a touchdown and recovered the ensuing onside kickoff at the FAU 48. The Owls survived two Hail Mary attempts by FIU quarterback Josh Padrick to win their third straight Shula Bowl.

FAU MVP: QB Jared Allen (25 of 34, 311 yds, 2 TDs); FIU MVP: WR Cory McKinney (8 rec, 139 yds)
 
5. Shula Bowl XV (2016, FIU Stadium) FIU 33, FAU 31 – The Panthers displayed the moxie that they would play with the rest of the season in interim coach Ron Cooper's first game after Ron Turner was fired. Winless after four games in 2016 and down 24-14 in the third quarter, FIU rushed for 270 yards to rally past FAU. Alex Gardner rushed for 119 yards and Anthony Jones ran for 90 yards. After FAU took a 31-27 lead in the third quarter, Austin Taylor hit two field goals to give FIU the lead for good. It was the second consecutive year that Gardner was named the FIU MVP in the Shula Bowl. FIU linebacker Treyvon Williams tied the Shula Bowl record with 15 tackles.

FIU MVP: RB Alex Gardner (119 rush yds); FAU MVP: RB Greg Howell (101 rush yds, TD)


 
4. Shula Bowl IV (2005, FIU Community Stadium) FIU 52, FAU 6 – The Panthers tied an NCAA record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns in their first Shula Bowl win. Keyonvis Bouie, Lionell Singleton (photo above), Nick Turnbull and Marshall McDuffie had the pick sixes for FIU. Bouie set a then-Shula Bowl record with 13 tackles. Ben West rushed for a Shula Bowl record three touchdowns that still stands today.

FIU MVP: RB Ben West (140 rush yds, 3 TDs); FAU MVP: WR Thomas Parker (110 rec yds, TD)
 
3. Shula Bowl XI (2012, FAU Stadium) FIU 34, FAU 24 – Both teams had down years in the 2012 season but the Shula Bowl was an entertaining game because of some odd plays. FIU senior offensive lineman Rupert Bryan had a wish fulfilled by former FIU coach Mario Cristobal. Bryan took a lateral from FIU quarterback Jake Medlock and rushed for a 5-yard touchdown. Bryan (photo below) was promised by Cristobal when he was recruited out of Glades Central that he would have a rushing attempt before his FIU career ended.



Midway through the third quarter with FIU trailing 17-14, Panthers defensive back Richard Leonard returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to put FIU ahead to stay. FAU quarterback Graham Wilbert broke the Shula Bowl passing yardage record with 403 yards. Former FIU quarterback Paul McCall held the mark throwing for 400 yards in Shula Bowl VII.

FIU MVP: QB Jake Medlock (17 of 28, 264 yds, 2 TDs); FAU MVP: WR William Dukes (116 rec yds)
 


2. Shula Bowl X (2011, FIU Stadium) FIU 41, FAU 7 – Like FIU's first win in the Shula Bowl series this one was a lopsided game. It was also T.Y. Hilton's final home game in an FIU uniform and No. 4 did not disappoint. The highlight of this Shula Bowl was when Hilton (photo above) fielded a punt at the FIU 3. Normally, a returner is taught to let a punt go if it's inside the 10 but Hilton is not your ordinary returner. When Hilton caught the punt at the 3 you could hear a collective gasp inside FIU Stadium. However, the FIU speedster made two moves and sprinted past the Owls kick coverage for a 97-yard punt return touchdown that put FIU up 24-0 in the second quarter. One of the few bright spots for the Owls was David Hinds tying a Shula Bowl record with 15 tackles.

FIU MVP: RB Kedrick Rhodes (122 rush yds, TD); FAU MVP: RB Alfred Morris (110 rush yds)

And the No. 1 Shula Bowl is. . . .
 
1. Shula Bowl VII (2008, Dolphin Stadium) FAU 57, FIU 50 (OT) – Despite the Panthers' loss and being eliminated from bowl-eligibility for the first time in program history, this is the most competitive and exciting Shula Bowl in the game's history.

FIU entered the game 4-6 needing to beat FAU and then WKU in the season finale to become bowl-eligible. With the win over FIU, FAU became bowl-eligible and defeated Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl the day after Christmas.

    

The game had a 56-point fourth quarter (yes, a 56-point quarter) with each team scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter, including FIU running back Darriet Perry (top photo above) scoring what would be the Panthers final touchdown with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. The points fest forced the only overtime in Shula Bowl history.

FAU scored first in overtime on three plays to take a 57-50 lead. FIU had three incomplete passes to start its possession and when FAU's Daniel Joseph sacked FIU quarterback Paul McCall (second photo above) on fourth down the epic Shula Bowl VII was over. 

McCall threw for 400 yards – still the only 400-yard passing game in FIU history. The teams combined for 1,037 total yards of offense in the game. FAU QB Rusty Smith threw for a Shula Bowl record five touchdown passes – three of the TD passes went to Cortez Gent, who still holds the Shula Bowl record for receiving touchdowns in a game. FAU linebacker Frantz Joseph set a Shula Bowl record with 15 tackles.

FAU MVP: QB Rusty Smith (25 of 50, 389 pass yds, 5 TDs); FIU MVP: QB Paul McCall (27 of 47, 400 yds, 4 TDs)