BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University’s football team returned to the practice fields Monday morning, although they switched from the Schmidt Family Athletic Complex to the Tom Oxley Center athletic fields where they continued preparing for the upcoming season, a season that promises more exposure and opportunities for fans to get to know and follow the team than ever before.
This Thursday, Aug. 18, the first “Inside the Owls Burrow” show of season eight will air. The show, which airs on Bally Sports Florida, will re-air each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Show producer and host Frank Forte will sit down with Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman each week where the duo is guaranteed to talk FAU football as well as test “Pop Culture Pop Quiz” wits. The show is also an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the team, its coaches, and its players. This week’s show will profile transfer quarterback Daniel Richardson and take the viewers through the team’s summer strength and conditioning workout.
Forte and Coach Herman will appear together weekly on the FAU Coaches’ Show. This year’s show will be recorded live at Duffy’s Sports Grill, located at 401 N. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Fans are invited to the show or to tune in each Thursday night on Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida, beginning Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.
Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida also will be the home for wire-to-wire game coverage. Ken LaVicka returns as the Owls’ play-by-play broadcaster. The longtime caller will once again receive the game’s analysis from former Owl defensive back Kris Bartels. The duo will be joined by pre and postgame host Mike Mreczko.
While the LaVicka-led trio have the hometown radio covered, FAU will experience its most robust television package to date. The Owls’ first two games, both at home, versus Monmouth and Ohio are scheduled to air on ESPN+. The first road game of the 2023 season, at Clemson, is scheduled for ACCN. The remainder of the television schedule will be announced no later than 12 days prior to the event.
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman
Opening remarks following the scrimmage
“We are certainly nowhere to calling ourselves a great defense yet, but it would be foolish of me not to at least acknowledge the fact that we are markedly improved on that side of the ball…The infusion of some key transfers on that side of the ball plus the improvement and development of the guys that have been here have been impressive. Just inconsistent a little bit offensively in that scrimmage, but I was pleased with the feel after the scrimmage when I spoke to the media. The offense had a couple of big plays there at the end that actually battled themselves back into it. That was good to see that they didn’t just crater, but we have to start and maintain a level of consistency that is better offensively.”
On the level of urgency
“In today’s football climate, you don’t have nearly the ability or time that we used to have with these guys during training camp. After this week, we will have a mock game week and will dive fully into Monmouth. We will still have the one offense versus the one defense and two offense vs. two defense, but the threes will be very limited after this week and we will have some scout team periods working against Monmouth’s offense and defense. Some guys are going to be in for a rude awakening when they are asked on Sunday to go service the offense or defense. The urgency of this week has been communicated very loud and clear and that some big decisions are going to be made after next scrimmage.”
On determining starting positions
“It depends on the position. I never understood starters. If we start the game in 12 personnel and LaJohntay Wester is on the sideline, does that mean he’s not a starter? No. I have never been into starting lineups. I don’t know why people are because it changes based on gameplan and play. But I look at running back for instance, it does not matter who jogs out for the first snap. We have three backs that we can win with right now and some freshmen that will be really good.”
Junior Defensive Lineman Jaden Wheeler
On the importance of depth in the trenches
“On our side, it’s good to have fresh bodies out there not wearing down our legs. When the ones go out, the twos come in. That’s a good thing with our d-line. We have great depth with a lot of good players that can really play.”
Freshman Offensive Lineman Jordan Church
On adjusting to playing at Florida Atlantic
“I have adjusted pretty well with the help of my teammates and the older guys. They brought me in and are helping me develop. And of course, coach (Ed) Warriner brought me in and developed me a lot. It has been a good transition.”
NEXT UP
The next practice will be Tuesday morning and will be held at the Tom Oxley Center, the former training facility for the team between 2000 and 2019.
GAME DETAILS
Saturday Sept. 2 – Monmouth at Florida Atlantic
- Time – 6 p.m.
- Television – ESPN+
- Radio – Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the game’s call on FoxSports South Florida
- Theme – Welcome newly hired Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman and season opener. Let the “New Era” begin!
TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2023 season, the first in the American Conference, by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or by going online HERE. For more ticket information click HERE. To purchase away game tickets, click on the above Buy Now link. Single-game tickets may also be purchased by visiting HERE.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
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