WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Florida Atlantic University football team battled toe-to-toe with Big Ten foe Purdue, but ultimately fell just short, 28-26, at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday night.
HOW IT STARTED
After receiving the opening kickoff, Purdue scored on its first drive of the game when the Boilermakers’ Austin Burton connected with Charlie Jones for a seven-yard score . The Owls responded to open the second quarter with a Morgan Suarez 27-yard field goal to bring it within four.
After forcing a Boilermaker punt, N’Kosi Perry connected with a speedy LaJohntay Wester, who broke away from the Purdue defender to catch the 13-yard dart in the back of the endzone. FAU had its first lead of the night at 10-7 with just over five minutes to go in the opening half. The Owls then forced the turnover on downs before tacking on three more off a game-long 39-yarder from Suarez (13-7).
TURNING POINT
Down 21-20 with 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Owls were knocking on the door at the Purdue 18-yard line. Perry connected with Je’Quan Burton, but a personal foul penalty nullified the FAU score to replay the second down. Just two plays later, Purdue’s Chris Jefferson intercepted Perry at the Purdue 10 and returned it 55 yards to flip the field and give the Boilermakers the ball at FAU’s 35-yard line. Purdue would put it n the endzone on the ensuing drive off a four-yard completion from Burton to TJ Sheffield.
HOW IT FINISHED
Down by eight with just over five minutes to play, Perry hit LaJohntay Wester for the third time in the contest and broke a pair of tackles to bring the Owls within two (28-26). The two-point conversion would be unsuccessful, however, and Purdue fended off the FAU comeback attempt.
QUOTABLES
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Willie Taggart Opening Statement
“Tough loss for our football team. We had an opportunity there and we didn’t capitalize. But I’m really proud of the way our guys competed for four quarters. That’s something we talked about all week long, going out and competing for four quarters and seeing what the outcome would be. Because our guys competed for four quarters, we had a chance there, but we just didn’t finish it off.”
Taggart on LaJohntay Wester’s performance
“I thought LaJohntay did some really good things for us. I think he had about nine catches for three touchdowns, and he did what LaJohntay has been doing for us all year long. Really proud of the way he played.”
Taggart on opportunity for go-ahead score in fourth quarter
“Yeah, we had an opportunity to win the ballgame. We had an opportunity to take the lead and had a touchdown called back that shouldn’t have been called back, that’s very disappointing. When it’s called back, and then they tell us they were wrong for it, that’s just bad ball. But again, we had an opportunity and just didn’t capitalize on it.”
Taggart on defensive performance
“You take away the penalties, I thought our defense played well tonight. We had those penalties, and they had those takeaways. That’s something we stress every game about getting takeaways. They had the takeaway and two fourth downs that they got off the field on. That’s like a turnover on downs for our guys, so they did a great job getting the ball back for our offense.”
Taggart on running game
“We know if we can run the football, we will have a really good football team. We gotta run the football. If we can run, you can throw the football a little better. By running the ball, it would allow us to throw it a little better in that second half.”
Taggart on momentum going back into C-USA play
“We’re not going to be excited about moral victories, but our football team showed that they can compete. When we compete for four quarters, we can play with anybody. We are excited to get back in league play and excited to hopefully get some guys back and be ready to play. Again, as long as we play for four quarters like we know how and compete, we’re going to have a chance in every ballgame.”
THE OFFENSE
- Perry finished 18-for-30 in the contest with 230 passing yards, three passing scores, and one interception. He also ran for a team-leading 93 yards on 13 carries
- Perry has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games dating back to October 2 of last season
- LaJohntay Wester had nine receptions for 90 yards and three touchdowns
THE DEFENSE
- Eddie Williams led the Owls with 10 tackles, nine of which were solo
- Dwight Toombs finished the day with four tackles, all of which were solo, and caught the Owls one interception on the day
- Jaleel McRae, Marlon Bradley, DeCarius Hawthorne, and Latrell Jean each recorded a TFL in the contest
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Morgan Suarez was a perfect 2-for-2 on the day with a 27 and 39-yard field goal
- Riley Thompson had four punts totaling 171 yards – he placed two kicks inside the 20
WHAT’S NEXT
The Owls remain on the road next weekend when they head to the Lone Star State to face the North Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. (EST) inside Apogee Stadium.
