BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University football returned to the practice fields on Friday morning. They corrected day one’s mistakes by transitioning through periods “on the hop” and continued to do all the things that Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman had asked them to improve upon following day one. Simply put, practice was sharper.
Something else that has grown since the Owls’ 15 days of spring practice is an alliance: a fraternity or sense of community among the players. When a running back finds the end zone, he is quickly celebrated by his fellow running backs. When a tight end blocks downfield, it is the scoring receiver lending a shoulder to help him return to the bench following cramps, or a receiver telling a defender good job on the coverage. That is the tone of practice. It is teammates encouraging other teammates not to take plays off or to power through fatigue that has quickly become apparent this fall. Much of that comes from spending time together on and off the field during the summer.
QUOTABLE
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Chaz Neal
On the progress from day one to two for the offensive line
“It’s mostly technique right now, so just us having our hands and feet where we need to have them is the best thing for us. As far as going from day one yesterday and moving around a lot to coming into day two today, it’s more of a consistency and communication part. As long as we communicate, we’ll get where we need to go.”
On the team supporting each other
“Coach (Tom) Herman says all the time that being able to have your teammate’s back over your wanting it for yourself makes the whole difference. If you want him to score a touchdown more than you want yourself to score a touchdown, you’ll have each other’s back. He spells love ‘T.I.M.E.’ as much time as you get with your teammate is going to show how much love and determination you have from the team.”
Redshirt Senior Safety Armani Eli-Adams
On the keys to getting through fall camp as a veteran
“Just taking care of your body is the biggest key. If you don’t take care of your body, you are not going to be able to perform, not going to be able to practice, not going to be able to do anything and show the coaches what you can do. And just being on time and accountable for everything you do, because if you are on time, that shows you are respectful to the coach’s time, it shows that you are a good person and are accountable.”
On how the safety room has come along since the spring
“We have matured more and just know the playbook more, there’s not as many questions. Since the spring to now, we have made a huge improvement on just understanding our assignments.”
On how the first days of fall camp have gone
“First day was kind of rough, we had a lot of errors which you would expect, but the second day it felt like we made a huge improvement, we’ll probably have to go back and watch the tape. We made an improvement from day one to two, which is good, but we’re not where we want to be at yet.”
THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Friday’s team highlights came from the passing game. The quarterbacks worked with both the running backs and receivers. Thirty plus yard gains can be credited to freshman Jabari Smith, Jr., redshirt freshman Donovan Giles, sophomore Jayshon Platt and senior Je’Quan Burton
- Speaking of this summer and Burton, the 5-10 West Orlando, Florida native posted a 46.3 vertical this summer that surpassed the highest at the 2023 NFL Combine (44.00 by Jartavius Martin, a safety from Illinois).
NEXT UPThe Owls will return to the practice field Saturday morning for the third day of preseason practice. This weekend FAU Football also will celebrate the 2023 FCS Semifinal Team.
The Owls will host the 2023 FanFest on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Football players as well as members from both cross country and soccer teams as well as volleyball will be on hand for autographs.
GAME DETAILS
Saturday Sept. 2 – Monmouth at Florida Atlantic
- Time – 6 p.m.
- Television – ESPN+
- Radio – Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the 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.
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