BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University’s football team (4-5, 3-2 C-USA) completed their second day of bye week practice and will have one more this week, before enjoying a few days away from the practice facility.
The offense will use this week, much like the last bye week, to improve upon things they have identified through self-scouting.
Offensively last week, N’Kosi Perry tossed three touchdowns versus a defense that had allowed just four passing TDs in 2022. Perry has thrown a touchdown pass in each of his last 17 games and has been responsible for a touchdown in every game played as an Owl. Nationally, Perry is No. 15 in passing TDs with 20 and is No. 29 in points responsible for per game. Fifteen Owls have collected a Perry pass with eight finding the endzone, led by LaJohntay Wester’s eight scores.
QUOTABLE
Offensive Coordinator Brent Dearmon
On the offensive production against UAB
“You look at probably the number one defense in the conference, statistically. We knew that we were going to have to go in and probably score 28-30 points. We didn’t meet that goal, but we stressed to our guys that we have to take care of the football. You can’t go into a game like that and turn the football over. I thought we did a really good job of taking care of the football. We didn’t have any turnovers. We stressed to our guys that we were going to have to create some explosive plays. We didn’t get as many explosive plays, but against a team that doesn’t give up a lot of explosive plays, I thought we did a pretty good job of creating them. N’Kosi (Perry) used his legs a couple of times on some third down situations. I think they had given up four passing touchdowns on the season [entering Saturday], and one of them was a forward sweep, so it was really three. For [Perry] to have three passing touchdowns and match the total they had for the year, that’s a pretty good game for him. We were really proud of how we played and how the whole offense played.”
On avoiding mistakes
“We played smart football. [If] you eliminate your negatives, TFL’s (tackles for loss), and turnovers, you have a chance in any game you play. I thought we played smart. A problem that we had earlier this year was the third quarter, and I thought we won the game in that third quarter [on Saturday]. Coming out of half and scoring on your first two possessions is a 14-0 swing right there. We really challenged our guys last week and they showed up.”
On explosive plays
“In previous games, our explosive plays didn’t lead to touchdowns. We would get explosive plays and it would end at the 10 or 15. With these explosive plays, we scored touchdowns. You don’t really count Tony (Johnson’s) as explosive, but it really is. It was a third down, eight-yard catch. You had three explosive touchdown catches, that’s the difference in this game and other games.”
On the bye week
“Any time you go into a bye week, and you go out on the road recruiting, it’s a lot nicer coming off of a win. It’s easier to walk into schools and look these high school coaches and recruits in the eyes. You get to go home and hug your kids. You have a little more joy in your heart. Every time you come off of a win, that next bye week is a little better. But you can’t take it for granted. We can’t get content. We have to keep putting that hard hat on and clock in and go to work.”
On what to work on the bye week
“We’re going to work on fundamentals. We’re going to work on us. We’re going to work on who we are. We’re going to go back and self-scout and see things that we have to get better at. Last bye week, we talked about the third quarter and drops. I think those are things that we have gotten better at since we worked on them. So now, we have to self-scout and see what things we can work on this bye week that can prepare us for these next three, but most importantly, this next one game.”
On the upcoming Shula Bowl
“It’s a big game to this program and a big game to their program. I think our guys are locked in. Most of our guys know a lot of their guys, so there’s a big rivalry. We have to take every opportunity to put our guys in positions to go make plays in this big game.”
On QB N’Kosi Perry’s connection with the wide receiver room
“Sometimes, you don’t really look at N’Kosi’s stats. He’s got 20 touchdown passes to eight different individuals. I think he’s ninth in the country in touchdown passes and he only has five picks. For the most part, he’s taking care of the ball and distributing it where he needs to go because he feels the confidence in that whole room. I think that’s going to continue to grow over these next couple of weeks.”
Redshirt Freshman WR Tony Johnson
On the bye week
“We’re going to work on getting better these next few days and then we’re going to go get our bodies back and get ready for the next game.”
On his touchdown against UAB
“I was just staying ready, preparing like I always do. The play came and I just made a play.”
On a few plays being the difference maker in a game
“The games we lost, we have been right there. It’s just a matter of taking care of the football and making the plays that need to be made. We were able to execute it this week.”
On the confidence level entering the last three games
“We got the W we needed. I feel like we can keep rolling. I trust N’Kosi to do his job and take us to the promised land.”
On what to work on during the bye
“Just working on our fundamentals, taking care of the football, and just honing in on the basic concepts and plays that we have.”
On the upcoming Shula Bowl
“We have a lot of determination. We have a lot to prove. We have kind of underachieved this year, so we are going to treat each game like it’s the Super Bowl.”
Sophomore WR LaJohntay Wester
On other receivers drawing attention from defenders
“Last week, Je’Quan (Burton) stepped up big for us. Jahmal (Edrine) has been stepping up big for us, Tony Johnson made a crazy catch last game. All of the boys have been stepping up.”
On the feelings of heading into the bye week off of a win
“Definitely confident and excited and getting ready for FIU. It’s a big rivalry game.”
On preparing the upcoming Shula Bowl
“We started preparing after the win on Saturday. It’s up to us to get the win.”
On the FAU-FIU rivalry
“We’re so close. We are right by each other. It’s like we’re relatives, a backyard rivalry.”
On his brother Freshman LB Jaylen Wester
“He is maturing fast. He’s bringing the energy that the defense needs and the defense feeds off of that. I’m very proud of him.”
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FAU Coaches Radio Show
For free mobile listening of all game broadcasts and coaches shows, FAU fans can download the Varsity Network app for iPhone or Android. The app features instant access to free gameday audio streams and the ability for fans to receive push notifications to remind them of games starting or upcoming audio broadcasts. Local fans can tune in to Hubbard Radio (Fox Sports South Florida 640 AM) to follow the team.
FAU Television Inside the Owls Burrow
This week’s show will include a sit down with Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Willie Taggart. Show host and producer Frank Forte will review last week’s win over UAB and will discuss FAU’s bye week. Also featured is inaugural team member Yrvens Guerrier in “Where Are They Now?” This week’s “Pads Off” is with linebacker Jamie Pettway, and the one-on-one is a conversation with wide receiver coach Billy Gonzales. Inside the Owls Burrow airs on Thursday and Saturday at 11:30am on Bally Sports Florida.
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