In the wake of the drug-related resignations of Carl Pelini and Pete Rekstis, Brian Wright and Jevan DeWitt were forced into unenviable roles –– interim head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively.
Yet, as the national media continued to pile on, both men rallied the team to its best performance of the season.
In front of an announced crowd of more than 16,000, FAU (3-6) soundly defeated Conference USA foe –– and bowl-eligible opponent –– Tulane (6-3), 34-17, in the 2013 Homecoming Game.
“It was a team win,” Wright said. “I told them it was going to be a team win, that it would take every one of us.”
Wright briefly touched on Pelini, who, along with Rekstis, resigned on Wednesday amid allegations that they consumed illegal drugs –– reported to be marijuana and cocaine.
“Extremely emotional this week for the assistants,” he said. “You move your family across the country, you trust somebody. When that doesn’t work, it hurts.”
Wright, who continued to operate as the Owls’ offensive coordinator, dialed up an attack that gained 331 total yards, 19 first downs, and scored 27 unanswered points.
Quarterback Jaquez Johnson was the main beneficiary of Wright’s play-calling. The sophomore finished just 10-of-21 for 107 yards, but added 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Johnson broke off a 49-yard score –– his seventh rushing TD of the season –– late in the fourth quarter, that left no doubts regarding FAU’s victory.
“[The offensive line] was unbelievable,” Johnson said. “They just fought. Tulane sent a lot of blitzes and they just kept picking them up. I am very proud of my O-line.”
Johnson’s only blemish was a first quarter interception, which was returned 69 yards for a touchdown, giving Tulane an early 7-0 lead.
Wright found creative ways to get his squad on the scoreboard, including a 30-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Daniel McKinney to fellow wideout William Dukes. The trick play represented the only touchdown of the third quarter for either team.
Wright turned to seldom-used running back Damian Fortner, who received his most extensive action of the season (11 carries). Fortner scampered for a 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, his first score of the year.
“I am really proud of Damian Fortner,” Wright said. “He had stayed into it, he had stayed focused. Tremendous effort.”
That FAU’s offense came ready to play was no surprise to Wright.
“Best week of practice offensively,” he said. “Guys were locked in, came back on Friday and had a great walkthrough.”
While Wright’s first victory will grab the headlines, the effort from DeWitt’s unit cannot be understated.
FAU’s defense held Tulane quarterback Nick Montana (son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana) to just seven competitions for 71 yards and no touchdowns. It got so bad for Montana that he began alternating series with redshirt freshman QB Devin Powell, who didn’t fare much better (4-of-9, 34 yards).
Tulane’s lone offensive touchdown came on four-yard run by running back Orleans Darkwa with one minute remaining before halftime. The Green Wave took a 17-7 lead into the half, but were held scoreless for the rest of the contest.
The second half was dominated by an unrelenting FAU defense that forced interceptions on three consecutive series, all of which were hauled in by cornerback D’Joun Smith. Smith now leads the nation with seven interceptions.
“The first half kind of gave what [Tulane] was doing,” Smith said. “They were running a lot hitch routes, a lot of short outs.”
In all, DeWitt’s defense held Tulane, who were previously unbeaten in C-USA play, to just 167 total yards, while forcing eight punts.
“We had trust, man,” Smith said. “DeWitt simplified the game.”
Though spirits are high following the win –– players looked visibly relieved after a tough week –– Wright is looking at the bigger picture.
“It was a real big win,” he said. “We still got our bowl game dreams. Gonna take it one day at a time.”
FAU gets a bye week before returning to action against Southern Miss on Saturday, Nov. 16.
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