OCA RATON, Fla. – As the Florida Atlantic University Owls fly closer to the football season opener at No. 11 University of Florida, slated for Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the defense became today’s spotlight.
COORDINATOR’S CORNER
Defensive Coordinator Mike Stoops
“We feel like we have made progress in establishing guys, who have maybe separated themselves a little bit and developing a two-deep and certainly feel like the starters have, maybe, separated themselves a little bit from the rest of the pack in getting prepared for Florida. We have condensed things to those two groups, certainly ones getting 60 to 70% of those reps throughout the course of the week, in preparation for Florida.”
On getting the team ready for UF, what do you say to them?
“I haven’t noticed that. Their motivation ought to be to play well. That ought to be your motivation every time you step on the field. I think if you are not motivated and I have to motivate you every day, we are going to have serious issues. They are competitive kids. We play a competitive game. You better step on the field in this game and be competitive and not worry about who played who whenever. You need to worry about your job, focus in on each play and what you need to do to be successful. If you are worried about all this other stuff, then you are not going to be an effective player. That is the thing that we want to explain to the players. Concentrate on yourself, your job and do what you need to do to be effective and if you don’t do that, then we are not going to have success as a team. That is what they have to concentrate on.”
PLAYER’S TAKE
Inside Linebacker Antarrius Moultrie
“For me, defensively, as I have grown my chemistry with the defense to be able to call and command the defense, and as I have learned more of the defense and my concepts. With Coach [Lance Thompson] to have me ready to control the whole defense for the season. In the offseason, I remember I was struggling coming off my injury. I wasn’t moving the same, with the same speed and strength. I remember sitting down with (strength) Coach Joey [Guarascio]. He had to talk to me about how hard I needed to work and just come back next year stronger. After that talk, it changed my life, how I see the program, how I need to work. I started working extremely hard with Coach Joey from January to the time spring football started. He basically told me again it is your time. Just go show them.”
2021 SEASON
The Owls open up the 2021 campaign on the road Saturday in Gainesville against Florida. The home opener is the following Saturday, Sept. 11, at 3:30 p.m., hosting Georgia Southern. 2021 Single Game Tickets are available now. To experience “Football in Paradise,” Click Here or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
Also scheduled for opening weekend at FAU Stadium is the Coach Howard Schnellenberger Celebration of Life, to be held the night before the game against GSU, Friday, Sept. 10, with the public event starting at 6 p.m. with videos and photos. The guest speaking portion of the evening will begin at 7:30 p.m.
