BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University football team had great weather for “Game Week” Wednesday prep. The Owls continued with their scripted and competitive practices in preparation for this Saturday’s season opener versus Charlotte, scheduled for 7 p.m. at FAU Stadium.
As FAU heads into Saturday’s game, the Owls hold the all-time series at 5-2. The Owls have opened the season with conference play just once before, and coincidentally, that too was versus the 49ers. That matchup was played on Oct. 3, 2020, a year that schedules were altered due to COVID-19. The last time FAU opened the season in August and at home was versus Wagner, on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2012.
Year-by-Year
09/26/15 A W 17-7, 10/09/16 H L 28-23, 11/25/17 A W 31-12, 11/24/18 H L 27-24, 09/28/19 A W 45-27, 10/03/20 H W 21-17, 10/21/21 A W 38-9.
Of note: when FAU takes the field, it will be nine months to the day that FAU last competed. That game was a 27-17 loss at the hands of the Blue Raiders, who’s offense was led by offensive coordinator Brett Dearmon. Dearmon will take Howard Schnellenberger Field this Saturday, but as the conductor of the Owls’ offensive attack.
QUOTABLEDefensive Coordinator Todd Orlando
On opening the season
“It’s exciting. I know our guys are excited. They’re excited to be in front of a big crowd Saturday night. What we have to do is continuing to prepare. The biggest thing is to not really think about Saturday as much as what we’re doing today in practice.”
On tamping down exuberance
“Sometimes you forget why you do everything. I go back to when I got here in winter workouts, spring football, (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach) Joey (Guarasico) in the summertime, you got fall camp, and it’s all for really that one opportunity on Saturday. Sometimes, you have to sit down and make sure guys understand that this can’t just be the collection of practice days, this counts. I know they understand that.”
On Teja Young
“Without putting numbers on him, he’s as smart as a player as I’ve been around. He understands schemes, he can anticipate, he watches film like a coach does. If you sit behind him, he always anticipates things. That anticipation is a reason why, to me personally, he’ll be a dynamic playmaker. His biggest role outside of making plays is making sure he keeps this team in great workout habits and keeping us collectively united.”
On Charlotte QB Chris Reynolds and the offense
“Chris is dynamic, Chris is a winner, Chris is old. Anytime in college football nowadays, once you get past 22 years old, you can’t put a value on that because the game really slows down. He’s in complete control of the offense. He knows exactly what to do with the football. He anticipates different looks. And then on the outside, they’re really dynamic. When you have skill guys that are older, and you have a lot of experience and continuity that’s when they become dangerous.”
On Charlotte’s Running Back Room
“When you watch the game films, they want to come in and pound the football. A lot of people look at it and say they want to throw the ball down the field or run RPO’s, but if you actually watch some of the games, they’re fully committed to the run game. They do a really good job with the looks they give, and their running backs run hard. That’s the one thing I’ve been super impressed with, is that they’ll go downhill,they’ll make you miss and they’ll also go downhill and try to run you over.”
Safety Teja Young
On preparing for Saturday
“I think we’re ready to go. We just have to finish out the week one day at a time and we’ll be ready.”
On his mindset during game week
“My mindset has been different when it comes to what I’m focusing on. The task is always to get better every day, but right now, we’re just honing in. That’s how my mind works throughout the week, day by day, one period at a time, one practice at a time.”
On facing Charlotte’s offense
“Every team has tendencies. Them having a bunch of returning players is good for us because at least we know what we’re going to get and what we can expect. Everybody’s going to come out with something different, but those guys coming back with a collective group of players they had last year is also good for us so we know what we’re going up against.”
On Charlotte’s QB
“It’s going to be awesome. I love competing at a high level. I love playing against great players, so being able to go out and compete against him, he’s the quarterback on their side of the ball, I’m the quarterback on my side of the ball, it’s going to be fun.”
On opening the season with a conference game
“Having a conference game right out of the gate is definitely a big aspect of how you want to start your season off. I think if we just continue to practice the way we’re practicing, we’ll be ready to go.”
On leading the team
“I’m just trying to motivate guys, no matter how we’re feeling: tired, long practice, short practice. My job is to continue to put my effort in and continue to help on my side of the ball and be a motivator, just help guys get through these long days and these tough hours, so when Saturday comes, it can be easier, and everybody can be flying around.
On starting fast
“Traditionally, a lot of people say you start fast by getting a three-and-out. For us, our expectations are turnovers. Let’s start fast by getting the ball out, effecting the quarterback, blitzing early, just doing what we do best, being aggressive and not holding back.”
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
FAU Coaches Radio Show
For free mobile listening of all game broadcasts and coaches shows, FAU fans can download the Varsity Network app for iPhone or Android. The app features instant access to free gameday audio streams and the ability for fans to receive push notifications to remind them of games starting or upcoming audio broadcasts. Local fans can tune in to Hubbard Radio (Fox Sports South Florida 640 AM) to follow the team.
FAU Television Inside the Owls Burrow
SEASON OPENER
FAU will open the 2022 season on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, versus Charlotte at FAU Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on CBSSN and will air locally on Sports640 AM South Florida.
TICKETS
To purchase FAU tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or click HERE or HERE. Individual tickets are now on sale as well. Call the FAU ticket office, today, to secure your tickets. Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com, or through football’s Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
