| 8/7/2024 | Football BOCA RATON, Fla. – Seven days into the preseason and two days into full pads, the Florida Atlantic football team continues to maintain focus on the tasks at hand and understands the schedule that Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman has created to simulate the game week daily schedule. Despite nearly 40 newcomers, the team has experienced players who are with the Owls for one reason: to have a successful season. Whether the practice is just helmets, there is still a practice intent. There is an intent if shoulder pads or “shells” are added, and even more so the last two days when nearly every drill is live. QUOTABLE Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends Chad Lunsford On the tight end room “We went from last year not being sure who our tight end was going to be, and we had a freshman come in, Zeke Moore, who did a really nice job. Wyatt Sullivan is a guy who had transitioned from wide receiver to tight end, Kahlil Brantley had come in from the University of Miami, and then Elijah Brown came in from the University of Alabama, and you kind of saw that group come together. But really, this offseason, Zeke set the tempo with what he did last year, Wyatt took the bull by the horn and said this was going to be his year, Kahlil Brantley had a really good offseason, and then last spring was really big for Elijah. What we found out was we have a room with four guys who could be a starter at any moment. They have competed really hard so far in this training camp, and they’re making it hard to see who’s going to be the primary tight end.” On the versatility within the tight ends “I believe when you look at a tight end room, they should look different. You have Wyatt and Elijah, who are the taller, more weight guys, and then you have Kahlil Brantley and Zeke, who look more like the fullback/H-back guys, and that allows us to be able to get into different personnels but still being able to run our offense. Being able to have those different pieces in the room really helps you be multiple on offense.” On experience in the special teams room “What I really like about this group is they are very competitive and they make it hard on [Hagerty Family Head Football] Coach Herman and myself to know who’s going to be the guy because of the experience. When you start talking about the punting battle between Logan Lupo and Nick Salmon, Lupo has the experience. We really trust him in games because we have seen him in games, but then you watch Nick who goes out and works every day and is really competing hard to be that guy, and then that drives Lupo to be better. The same thing is happening at placekicker too, because (Morgan) Suarez has been a guy who has that in-game experience, and Carter Davis has gotten a little bit of in-game experience and field goals and kickoffs. Then you bring a young guy in like Robert Hammond, who has talent and still needs to develop a little bit, but you give him a chance to compete. And then the great thing about Lupo is that he is a dual guy and has the opportunity to compete at punter and field goal. It’s a blessing and a curse; the blessing is we have guys that can come out and compete to be the guy, but it’s a curse that we have to find a way to be able to get all looked at.” On return specialists “We were top five in the country in punt returning [in 2023]. A lot of that had to do with the punt returner, but it also had a lot to do with those other ten who were out on the field. From spring practice until now, I think we are further along in our technique and fundamentals in each of our phases. We have some talented punt returners back there. It’s an open competition. We have Milan Tucker, (Wendol) Philord, (Jayshon) Platt, and guys who are back there and can make things happen. I really feel like where we are as a team and how we have worked with our techniques and fundamentals, as long as we can trust the guy back there, we can have a really good punt return unit. On kick return, getting Milan Tucker who had a tremendous career at Appalachian State as a kick returner. We’re not going to crown him as the starting kick returner, but because of what he has done in the past, that gives him that opportunity. He’s dynamic in that area. I’m excited about our scheme on the kickoff return, we can make sure that we have the right matchups to make sure we can get the kickoff return started. We want to be really smart because we know that if we fair catch, we have the ball on the 25-yard line, but when you have a guy like Milan or some of these other guys that can do a really good job, sometimes you want to take chances because you want to help your offense’s field position.” Redshirt Junior Punter/Kicker Logan Lupo On how camp is going so far “Every year, it does get easier and easier. I know what’s coming, so if I plan my goals and do what I’m supposed to do, everything goes pretty smooth.” On personal goals for this season “Just being better every day and being more consistent, taking out a couple of those mishaps that happened last season, and trying to be as perfect as I can.” Junior Punter Nick Salmon On his camp experience so far “The more reps you get of something, the better you are going to be at it. Coming in every day with Lupo, who is a great punter, you have someone to compete against. I’m just more so trying to get better every day with each individual punt.” On watching the offense for field position “As a punter, you need to be good at pinning them inside the 10, and then you have to have the big ball as well. You are watching the offense to see how far down the field they move the ball, but it’s also the coach’s call.” Redshirt Junior Kicker Morgan Suarez On the fall camp schedule “Our schedule is given to us a week in advance. So far, the schedule has been so much easier than it has been in the past. Coach Herman is trying to make each week feel like a game week; we start kind of slow on Monday, then we work up the intensity, and by Friday, we’re off our legs, and then Saturday is our scrimmage day or “gameday. It has been a lot better for us, and our bodies feel a lot greater.” On the intensity of practices “We were thrown into live situations, which is more game-like. That is a lot more intense from the kicking perspective.” ON SOCIAL Brought that energy today#TriCountyTakeover#WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/63A55wLTTj— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) August 7, 2024 HIGHLIGHTS Phillip Dunnam was the first Owl to draw cheers with an early interception and return during the first “team” period Quarterback Tyriq Starks connected with Xavier Terrell for a 15-yard gain. Terrell later scored on fourth and goal from the six and was on the receiving end of a Starks pass in red zone work Cameron Goggins won the 50-50 battle for an interception Gemari Sands continues to find himself among the highlights and did so on Wednesday with a touchdown on send and goal from the three Veteran Chris Jones was credited with stopping the run on a 4th and one play, and his fellow defenders responded a few plays later with another stop Newcomer Kasen Weisman connected with BJ Alexander for a score Field goal work was brought into the live action with Morgan Suarez and Carter Davis hitting their kicks Cornerback Jaheim Miller drew praise from the defensive sideline shortly before practice ended on a nice catch and go by EJ Horton Practice ended with the offense winning the day 12-6 FAN FEST Join the Florida Atlantic Owls at the 2024 Duffy’s Sports Grill Fan Fest, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at FAU Stadium. The football team will hold an open-to-the-public practice. Fans are encouraged to enjoy the shade of the Delray Hyundai Deck while watching and participating in giveaways, games, contests, and much more, including the opportunity to meet FAU student-athletes from other teams. Following football’s practice session, the 2024 Florida Atlantic football poster will be available, as will the Owls for an autograph opportunity. COMPLETE SCHEDULE Click HERE. MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY Florida Atlantic’s football home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, at FAU Stadium versus Army West Point. The Owls will celebrate Military Appreciation Day as the Black Knights come to Boca Raton. For more information, click HERE. SEASON TICKETS 2024 season tickets are available for as low as $75. To purchase season tickets, click HERE. Recent alumni and Florida Atlantic faculty/staff can access discounted season tickets as low as $50. To learn more, submit your info HERE or visit HERE to make a purchase today. VIP group experiences with discounted tickets are available now, including pre- and post-game field access, halftime team tunnels, fundraising opportunities, and more. If you have a group of 15 or more who are interested, sign up HERE. FAU Alumni and Community Engagement will host two away events. The first is October 19th, when the Owls travel to San Antonio to face host UTSA. The second will be before the November 16th game versus Temple in Philadelphia. For more information, email [email protected]. TOUCHDOWN IN THE TROPICS Get ready for a night of tropical elegance at “Touchdown in the Tropics” to support the upcoming Florida Atlantic University football season and its student-athletes. Join us at the Boca Marriott on August 22, 2024, from 6-9 PM at 5150 Town Center Cir., Boca Raton, Florida 33486. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Indulge in amazing food, enjoy live music, and hear from Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman. This tropical casual affair promises a fun and unforgettable evening as we kick off the season in paradise with your hometown team. All proceeds from this event directly benefit our FAU football student-athletes. For more information, click HERE. BROADCAST Television outlets are listed on the schedule page. Wire-to-wire radio coverage will air on Fox Sports South Florida 640 AM. Ken LaVicka and FAU alum Chris Newbold will have the call, while Mike Mreczko will host the pre and post-game with added on-field coverage by FAU and long-time South Florida television personality Frank Forte. To listen live, click HERE. FOLLOW THE TEAM Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball. |
