BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University football team’s offense (5-5, 4-2 C-USA) used what their opponents’ defense was giving them, until the last few weeks when the Owls identity came into its own.
That identity will be put to the test this weekend when the Owls travel to Conference USA foe Middle Tennessee (5-5, 2-4 C-USA) for a 3:30 p.m. EST game. Both FAU and MT need one more win to secure bowl eligibility and the Owls are still in the hunt for a possible C-USA Championship berth.
The Owls will face an aggressive defense that leads the league in both sacks and tackles for a loss. FAU will match that with an offensive line ranked No. 8 nationally allowing just 0.9 sacks per game and No. 29 in tackles for a loss allowed.
Individually, FAU will be led by N’Kosi Perry. Perry is ranked No. 18 nationally with 22 passing TDs and is No. 19 in points responsible for. Perry’s go-to receiver is LaJohntay Wester who is No. 18 nationally with eight TD receptions and he added his first career rushing TD last week. Je’Quan Burton joins Wester as one of eight FAU receivers to record a touchdown this season, with Burton sitting second on the list, behind Wester, with four. Perry also will rely upon Larry McCammon, the running back room’s work horse or as referred to by Hagerty Head Football Coach Willie Taggart as a “Swiss Army Knife” or “Junk Yard Dog” for his ability to do anything asked. McCammon has 842 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. McCammon is joined by Zuberi Mobley who averages 5.5 yards per carry and Johnny Ford who clocks in at 3.5 yards per carry.
The game, slated for 3:30 p.m. EST, will air on ESPN+ while Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the call for Fox Sports South Florida.
QUOTABLE
Offensive Coordinator Brent Dearmon
On preparing for Saturday’s matchup against Middle Tennessee
“We have done a really good job the last month preparing our guys on how they attack practice, ever since that last bye week. I think the guys have really locked in and are really improving on the small details of their position. The coaches are doing a really good job of preparing our players. (Middle Tennessee) It’s a place that I know well, I got to spend a year there last year. It’s a great group of players and great group of coaches. It’s going to be good seeing those guys, but you’re going to want to go get a victory any time you play a team you coached at before.”
On the offensive performance in the Shula Bowl
“We were able to establish a rhythm, where the last few weeks, we struggled sometimes getting a rhythm. We found an identity a little bit. You saw us searching at times trying to find who we are. I think we found a rhythm and our tempo. We found a rhythm in playing fast. Our defense and our special teams really helped us too, we started on a short field on about half of the drives we were in. It was just a full team execution of the game plan last weekend.”
On being one win away from bowl eligibility
“You just want to go 1-0 every week. The opportunity to play in a bowl game in the college football level is awesome and you have to get to six wins in order for that. But going 1-0 is really what we’re preaching to our guys. If we win today [in practice], we have an opportunity to win again tomorrow and Thursday. If you keep stacking wins during the week, you have a chance to win on Saturday. And we’re still stressing to our guys we’re in a three-way tie right now for second place in the conference. We have a lot to play for still.”
On Middle Tennessee’s defense
“They play with unbelievable effort. They stress turnovers, flying to the ball, the pursuit drill. I think all 11 guys make a big emphasis of being around the ball. We have to take care of the ball and do the little things. We have to make sure we match their effort and continue to put bodies on bodies down the field. We know they’re going to bring it. They’re playing at home on senior day and they’re 5-5 with an opportunity to get to six wins too, so they’re going to bring everything they have in this football game.”
On his relationship with Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Stockstill
“We have a great relationship. I spoke with him a couple of weeks back. We still share information on teams we played against throughout the season. I have a great respect for him. It’s tough to stay at a place as long as he has and not be a good person and a good football coach. Great relationship with him, great relationship with the whole staff there I think they do a really good job.”
On his knowledge of Middle Tennessee’s defense
“What I know about Coach (Scott) Shafer is he does a good job of game planning the team he’s playing against and throwing some different things at them. What you see on tape, we’re going to be ready for, but I also know that he’s going to show us different things that we haven’t seen. They have an experienced staff over there; their d-line coach is Tommy West, who was a head coach at Clemson and Memphis. They’re going to draw up some things we haven’t seen before, so we have to be ready for the unknown.”
Redshirt Junior WR Je’Quan Burton
On the wide receiver room scoring touchdowns
“It’s been really fun just to see everybody be involved in the game and contribute. It’s a blessing.”
On winning the Shula Bowl
“It was good. It was a big rivalry week, so you wanted to come out and hang half of a hundred on them. It was big for us and a big confidence booster going into having two games left.”
On the momentum entering this week
“We’re just trying to come out and go 1-0 every week. Nameless and faceless opponents, that’s how we look at it and we’re just trying to be better than what we were last week.”
On Middle Tennessee’s Defense
“They have a great d-line. They play fast and physical, so we just have come out and give our best game.”
On being one win away from bowl eligibility
“It’s definitely on our minds. Like I said, we’re just trying to go 1-0. Coach (Brent) Dearmon always says whatever it takes, so however we get that win, however the chips fall, we’re just hoping to be bowl eligible and we’re really pushing to be in that conference championship.”
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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 Shula Bowl XXI victory and will preview this week’s game at Middle Tennessee. Also featured are running backs coach and former teammate of Coach Taggart Donte’ Pimpleton in a one-on-one interview. Get to know linebacker Marlon Krakue in “Pads Off” and will conclude with a “Where Are They Now” highlighting former Owl linebacker Kris Harris.
TICKETS
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