Troy, AL -- (Sports Network) - Rusty Smith completed 23-of-34 pass attempts for 291 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Florida Atlantic Owls to a 38-32 win over the Troy Trojans in the Sunbelt Conference Championship game at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.

Cortez Gent led the Owls (7-5) receiving corps, hauling in eight passes for 155 yards and a touchdown.

Troy (8-4) was led by quarterback Omar Haugabook who completed 35-of-47 pass attempts for 265 yards and two scores, and also carried the ball 23 times for 86 yards.

FAU took an early 7-0 lead on a one-yard TD run by DiIvory Edgecomb.

Troy made it a 7-3 game midway through the first quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Greg Whibbs.

Whibbs made it a 9-7 game midway through the second quarter as he followed up a 45-yard field goal in the opening frame with a successful 39-yard effort, which is where the teams stood at the break.

FAU opened up the second half scoring with a two-yard touchdown run by Charles Pierre, giving the Owls a 14-9 lead.

Troy turned to Whibbs again, midway through the third quarter, as the sure- footed kicker made it a 14-12 score with a 31-yard kick.

The Owls responded on their next series, as William Rose raced 41 yards for a score to give FAU a 21-12 advantage.

FAU extended its lead to 28-12 late in the third quarter when Smith hooked up Jason Harmon for a 12-yard score. Smith went back up top in the opening series of the fourth quarter, hitting Gent from 13 yards out to make it a 35-12 contest.

Troy responded less than a minute later when Haugabook found Zack Marcum from nine-yards out for a score.

The Trojans got back on the board minutes later, when Sean Dawkins punched it in from two yards out for the score. However, the two-point conversion failed, making it a 35-25 game.

The Owls made it a 38-25 score late in the third on a 34-yard field goal by Warley Leroy.

Haugabook led the Trojans on a late scoring drive, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown strike to Gerald Tate. However, it would be the final score of the game, as FAU went onto secure the six-point victory.

The victory marks FAU's first Sun Belt Conference Championship and secures the team a spot in the RL Carriers New Orleans Bowl versus the Memphis Tigers on December 21.