10/12/2024 | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic’s football team fought until the very end on Saturday night, coming up just short in a last-minute 41-37 defeat against North Texans.
The Owls (2-4, 0-2 AAC) put together a complete offensive performance both through the air and ground, putting together 500+ total yards for the second consecutive game. Redshirt junior QB Cam Fancher had his best outing of the season, throwing for 351 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs.
FIRST HALF
While the Mean Green struck first, the Owls answered right back on their first offensive drive when Fancher found redshirt sophomore WR Omari Hayes in the right corner of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown, their second connection of the season.
Offensive coordinator/QB coach Charlie Frye looked to get Fancher in passing rhythm early, and he did just that with a 5-of-6 start and 66 yards in the first quarter, constantly evading pressure to make plays. The Owls showcased an effective ground game as well, with 93 yards on just 11 carries.
Points continued for FAU in the second quarter, finding their second touchdown of the night on a flea flicker that saw four players touch the ball, culminating in junior tight end Wyatt Sullivan wide open in the end zone for a 28-yard catch, the first TD of his career. The Owls closed the half with redshirt freshman WR Jabari Smith hauling in his first score, followed by a 32-yard field goal by Morgan Suarez to take a 27-17 lead at halftime.
SECOND HALF
There were more big plays to be found. Fancher found redshirt senior WR Milan Tucker, who turned a catch in the middle of the field into a 52-yard explosion.
On the ensuing defensive drive, graduate LB Jackson Ambush picked off a pass and took it to the Mean Green’s 12-yard line, an on the ensuing play, redshirt junior RB CJ Campbell Jr. took to the end zone for the score.
The Owls entered the final period with a 34-27 advantage. A big defensive stand on 4th-and-six gave Florida Atlantic the ball in NT territory, leading to a 32-yard field goal from Suarez to extend the score to 37-27. North Texas came storming back in the final four minutes to ultimately take the victory, scoring the winning touchdown with 58 seconds remaining.
OFFENSE
- Fancher completed 22 of his 30 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns
- Campbell Jr. showed his elite versatility with 89 yards on the ground and 74 yards receiving
- Hayes led the way for the wideouts once again, with 89 yards on five catches
- Among many career nights, Sullivan turned his three receptions into 71 yards and a TD
- CJ Heard, the nation’s leader in tackles among freshman, led the team in stops for the third time this season with eight on the evening
- Graduate DB Wendol Philord had seven tackles with a TFL and a pass breakup
- Ambush’s interception was his first of the season and second as an Owl
- Graduate DL Prince James Boyd notched his first sack of the season
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Redshirt junior kicker Suarez knocked in a field goal in the second quarter to put him over 100 career points. With three field goals and four PAT, he totaled 13 points on the night, to now total 112 in three seasons
- Senior Logan Lupo had a key punt in the fourth quarter, pinning the Mean Green at the 1-yard line
POST GAME AUDIO
PHOTO GALLERY
Gallery: (10-12-2024) North Texas at Florida Atlantic
UP NEXT
The Owls will travel to San Antonio to take on UTSA (2-4, 0-2 AAC) on Saturday, Oct. 19, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. EST and airing on ESPN+.
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