Coming off a forgettable 3-9 campaign in 2012, second-year Head Coach Carl Pelini has guided the Owls to a 2-5 start in the first half of the 2013 season.
Although FAU has experienced more valleys than peaks over the last seven weeks, they’re competing in every game and giving the fanbase something to look forward to.
While unlikely to earn a bowl bid this season, FAU should still beat last year’s record and finish respectably amongst the competition in their new home, Conference USA.
With FAU on its first bye of the season this week, let’s take a look back at what’s transpired thus far, before peeking ahead to the rest of the 2013 campaign.
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Top 3 Highlights
#1: Defensive TDs vs. South Florida
FAU’s first win of the of the season was keyed and preserved by exceptional defensive plays that resulted in points.
In the first quarter of their game against USF, Owls defensive end Cory Henry recorded a sack/fumble, scooped up the ball and took it in 10 yards for the score, giving FAU an early 7-0 lead.
Then, with 3 minutes left in the game, the Owls’ victory was cemented by cornerback D’Joun Smith’s 75-yard interception return for a TD. This put FAU up 28-10 and ended any hopes that USF had of mounting a comeback.
#2: Emergence of quarterback Jaquez Johnson vs. Middle Tennessee State
After rotating quarterbacks through the first two games of the season, the win at South Florida entrenched sophomore Jaquez Johnson as the starting QB. It was the Middle Tennessee game in which he really claimed the position, though.
In perhaps the most exciting play of the Owls’ season to this point, Johnson found wide receiver Lucky Whitehead in the endzone with three seconds remaining in regulation, forcing the game into overtime. The 21-yard reception was Whitehead’s only catch of the contest.
Although the Owls would eventually lose in overtime, Johnson accounted for 355 total yards, including three touchdowns through the air and another two on the ground.
#3: Goal Line Stands
FAU’s defense has played its best in difficult situations, backed up against their own goal line.
During the season-opening loss to Miami, Owls defenders made an impressive stand, stopping the Hurricanes on a fourth down play from the one-yard line.
In the Owls’ win over South Florida, the defense led a game-changing event. With USF clinging to a 10-7 lead, the Bulls were looking to build momentum. On second and goal from FAU’s two-yard line, USF was stopped short. On third and goal, they again failed to score. USF went for it on fourth and goal from the one, but Owls linebacker Randell Johnson dropped the running back for a six-yard loss, forcing a turnover on downs.
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Top 3 Lowlights
#1: Jaquez Johnson spike on fourth down
The most embarrassing play of the Owls’ early season happened in the opener against Miami. Following a 16-play drive in the final stages of the game, QB Jaquez Johnson spiked the ball to stop the clock. There was only one problem –– it was already fourth down.
At the postgame press conference, both Johnson and FAU Head Coach Carl Pelini took responsibility for the clock mismanagement. However, television cameras caught Pelini signaling for the QB to spike the ball from the sideline. The ball was turned over to Miami on downs and they ended the game with a kneel down.
The blunder wasn’t quickly forgotten, either, as it was publicized nationally by Deadspin.
#2: Quarterback Greg Hankerson’s Last Five Minutes vs. Rice
Subbing in for the injured Jaquez Johnson, freshman quarterback Greg Hankerson played almost flawlessly for the first 55 minutes of FAU’s game against Rice. But with under five minutes remaining and FAU clinging to a 14-6 lead, everything fell apart.
The disaster started when Hankerson was sacked and fumbled the ball at the FAU seven-yard line. Rice recovered the fumble and took it in for the score, cutting the FAU lead to 14-12. On the very next play following the ensuing kickoff, Hankerson inexplicably dropped back to pass and was intercepted in FAU territory. Rice would go on to score what would be the game-winning TD and take an 18-14 lead.
Hankerson had time to lead a comeback, but was picked once more to ensure FAU’s fourth quarter collapse and third loss of the season.
#3: FAU Rush Defense
As well as the Owls defense has played near the goal line, they’ve had their problems along the rest of the field.
The Hurricanes sliced through the Owls run defense for 303 yards on the ground, with 186 yards coming via UM star running back Duke Johnson, who played less than three quarters of the game.
Middle Tennessee also had their way with the Owls on the ground, gashing them for 296 yards. This included 154 yards and three touchdowns on only 10 carries from MTSU running back Reggie Whatley.
Susceptibility to the big play has been the main problem for the Owls on the rush defense side.
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Looking Ahead
Saturday, Oct. 26 at Auburn:
FAU comes into this game a bit overmatched on both sides of the ball. Auburn is Gus Malzahn’s first head coaching job, but Malzahn is a former offensive coordinator at the school (as recently as 2011), meaning his personnel will fall back in line with his system with relative ease. The Owls will face a bigger, more talented team and should take its lumps here. The issue of how the FAU receivers seek to beat the Auburn 4-2-5 defensive scheme will be interesting to see.
Saturday, Nov. 2 vs. Tulane:
Tulane’s offensive line was historically bad in 2012, and seems to have made no real improvements, only getting younger and more inexperienced. Look for the Green Wave to falter on the road, as QB Nick Montana (son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana) will be overwhelmed by FAU’s strong front seven.
Saturday, Nov. 16 at Southern Mississippi:
USM won a grand total of zero (0) games last year, giving them the distinction of the only winless team in major college football. First year coach Todd Monken walks into a tough situation, and an even tougher schedule. While this team will not be as bad as the record may indicate, they are no doubt worse than FAU. Expect the Owls’ receivers and running backs to exploit USM’s porous defense on their way to a road win.
Saturday, Nov. 23 vs. New Mexico State:
An offense lacking depth and a defensive unit that has yet to play much together has resulted in an 0-6 start for the Aggies, who surrender over 50 points a game thus far this season. FAU should beat them handily, partly helped by the inevitable effects of jet lag and humidity on a battered New Mexico State team. The Owls’ offense, if they find any consistency, won’t have problems putting points on the scoreboard.
Friday, Nov. 29 vs. Florida International:
The Panthers have been outscored 187-23 in their first four games. The staggering 72-point shutout loss to Louisville and 34-13 loss to FCS club Bethune-Cookman reveal the inexperience of new head coach Ron Turner’s team. Expect a worthwhile effort from FAU, who in their quest to avenge last year’s Shula Bowl loss will be much more disciplined than their longtime rivals.
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Team Leaders
Quarterback Jaquez Johnson — 1,060 passing yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. 424 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns.
Running back Jonathan Wallace — 102 carries for 518 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Wide receiver William Dukes — 25 receptions for 337 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Cornerback D’Joun Smith — Four interceptions, nine passes defended.
Defensive Lineman Adarius Glanton — 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss.
