| 4/11/2024 | Football BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic’s football team will host its 2024 Spring Game this Saturday with a scheduled noon kick in FAU Stadium. The game, which is free and open to the public, will be the first opportunity for fans to welcome the newest members of the Owls and to witness the returners’ growth firsthand. Gate 1 will open at 11 a.m. for westside seating. Parking in Lot 5 (north side of the stadium) is free. AROUND THE GAME New to this year’s game are EXPERIENCES. Fans have the opportunity to: be a guest defensive or offensive guest coach during the spring game or win a regular-season game day access. For a complete list of opportunities visit @NILInParadise. Click HERE to view all NILinParadise Football Experiences or contact the Paradise Club staff with questions.The Owls are hosting a canned food drive in partnership with Eat Better Live Better. Fans are encouraged to bring canned foods to the Spring Game and in return a free ticket will be issued for the Charlotte at Florida Atlantic football game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23rd. Those wishing to help can also donate to Eat Better Live Better. Please do so HERE. Show your FAU spirit by picking up a free yard sign or flag at the marketing table, which will be located next to the Howard Schnellenberger statue (also at gate 1). THURSDAY PRACTICE The Owls continued to work as both individuals and “team” situations, with a heavy rotation between the ones and twos and a light rotation for the threes. A few highlights included:Three INT collected by Jayden Williams, Lawrence Johnson and one in the red zone by Phillip DunnamOffensively, Jabari Smith, Jr. had a nice catch and runCOMPLETE ROSTER Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach Roc Bellantoni On where the defense stands at the end of spring “I am very happy with the progress we have made. I feel like we are a lot better, there is a better understanding of the scheme. We didn’t get all the way through with everything that we do scheme wise, but we got most of it in. I really feel like we made some strides and there is a lot better understanding of where everything fits, which is important, but when you get to the season it is not just understanding, it is actually going out and executing. I am encouraged by the guys that we brought in and the difference that they have made and I am encouraged by the guys that will be here in June to provide more depth, more competition and help us be even deeper and better because I think we do have a chance to be pretty good.” On matching opposing offenses in the American Athletic Conference “It is a really good conference. I think we have gotten a little bit better to match the talent, we still have a ways to go. The top dogs in this leagues are really good and we have to continue to upgrade our talent. We have stacked some good talent on top of the guys that we had. We have to continue to stack here at FAU if we want to be at the top, talent-wise, because there are some very talented football teams. I think we have a better idea of what we need, I don’t think we are all the way there yet, but we have enough pieces to be able to go out, compete with everybody on our schedule and contend for it.” Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Charlie Frye On the growth from last year to this year “Year two is probably the year that you are going to see the most growth. In year one, everything is new. Coaches getting to know coaches and players getting to know coaches. You are going to see a lot of growth in year two whether you are a player or a coach, all of those variables matter.”On Saturday’s Spring Game “You are trying to create a game mentality every time you step on the field, whether you are throwing routes on air or a third down corner route in the Spring Game. It is hard for a player to carry two mentalities: a practice mentality and game mentality. So, you try to put the pressure on them and try to create that one mindset, whether it is a practice, game, or telling me a progression in the meeting room, somehow you have to apply that pressure and take away the calmness of sitting in a chair at 72 degrees and no one trying to come hurt them. You have to try and recreate that so that you have one mindset playing football.” Sophomore Safety Fabian Scott On the progression this spring “The position group is getting better. We are listening to what our coaches are saying and we are buying in. We are taking it day by day. I am meeting with Coach every day, focusing on the little things, what I can get better at.”On competition with the new players “The competition is great, they are working everybody every day, getting us better for the first game.” Junior Defensive Back Phillip Dunnam On how spring has gone “Something new that I did not expect is how fast the tempo is here, it is a lot faster than where I was coming from. But the main thing that I am getting out of the spring is getting closer with the guys, building a strong relationship outside of football so when we get on the field it is easier to come together as one and play football and win games. I am enjoying it so far.”On what he wants to show at the Spring Game “My effort, flying around way more than I am flying around now, taking it to another level to end spring in a good way.” GRIDIRON CLASSIC GOL FJoin NILinParadise at the Gridiron Classic Golf Tournament, sponsored by GA Telesis. All proceeds directly support FAU student-athletes. Join the Owls for a day of golf, prizes and comraderie scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 25, 2024, at the Boca West Country Club. To register your foursome, click HERE. COMPLETE SCHEDULE Click HERE. SEASON TICKETS To purchase season tickets, click HERE. FOLLOW THE TEAM Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com, or through football’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball. |
