BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University football began the week with the knowledge that graduate quarterback Casey Thompson would no longer be under center. Eyes and snaps quickly moved to the remaining quarterbacks led by transfer Daniel Richardson. While that preparation continues, there is one constant and that is the play of junior wide receiver LaJohntay Wester.
Wester, the Owls’ leading returning receiver, picked up where he left off a year ago with consistent and hardworking play. He again leads the Owls in total receptions with 30 while the remaining 14 FAU receivers combine for 42 catches. Wester’s 30 catches give him an average of 10 per game and lists him No. 2 nationally in receptions-per-game. He also set the FAU program record with his first catch at Clemson, a five-yarder, as the program’s all-time receptions leader, breaking the tie of 162 and counting. Nationally, he has 28 straight games with a reception which lists his consecutive-game streak at No. 12.
QUOTABLE
Offensive Coordinator/QB’s Coach Charlie Frye
On Casey Thompson
“Those are things that happen that you can’t control. We all know that injuries are a part of the game, it is a physical contact sport. You just don’t wish that upon anyone, missing the rest of the season, dealing with the road ahead of you is tough, that’s the rehab and getting your body back into position to play again. That’s unfortunate and I feel terrible for him, but I also know how he is wired and the journey that he has been on. There have been some scars and how he responded to adversity and the chip that is on his shoulder, I don’t think that is going anywhere.”
On Daniel Richardson
“Being a backup quarterback is one of the most underappreciated positions in all of sports. You have to be ready to go at all times. You never know when your number is going to get called…it’s all of the film room, behind closed doors work that you are relying on so that you are ready to play.”
On Richardson’s experience
“The fact is that he is battle tested and does have a lot of respect in that locker room, not only with the offensive guys but with the whole team, just how he goes about his every day’s work. From the minute he got here, he has earned that respect and that leadership just by the work that he has done, how he treats people, how he commands his unit, those are some of the best things that D-Rich does.”
On QB Michael Johnson Jr.’s role
“We have been working on it since Mike has gotten healthy. It has grown through training camp and the first three weeks of the season. Mike has a skillset that is different than the other guys, not that it is better or worse, it’s just unique and hard on defenses. He can use his legs and create an extra hat in the box that they have to account for, it’s a wrinkle that the defense is going to have to prepare for.”
On what makes LaJohntay Wester special
“He is wired the right way. He only goes one speed and tempo every day at practice. It’s non-stop. He takes it from the practice field to the game. The guys at the next level, that is how they are wired. They don’t have an off switch. They run to win all day. I call them the spark plug. He put some really good film out there against a very good defense. I have a lot of respect for him and just how he is wired is awesome.”
Junior QB Daniel Richardson
On stepping into the game
“When Casey went down, it was very shocking, but the guys rallied around me and told me it is my opportunity to go in there and show what I got versus a really good team. Clemson has a good front seven and secondary, I was grateful for the opportunity to just go in.”
On how his experience helps him prepare against a Big Ten school
“I am very prepared. I have played in an environment like this against Penn State, Oklahoma State, you can go down the line. I just block out all the noise. The guys are behind me. We have a really good offensive line, great playmakers on the outside, great running backs. Illinois has a great team, a good front seven. We just have to play together.”
On taking it a play at a time
“Just like you go-day-by-day, you take it play-by-play. This week is going to be a lot of one-on-one battles, just do your job and get positive plays. We have to stay out of negative plays and negative yardage.”
On what makes LaJohntay Wester special
“He just has a different motor. He comes to the sideline and says ‘I’m going to be open, trust me.’ It is a mindset thing. It’s rare that you find too many players like that. That is one player that has the NFL mindset and you will definitely be seeing him on Sundays.”
Junior WR LaJohntay Wester
On the mood of the team
“We are just ready to get back and get that nasty taste out of our mouth from the last game and just try to get better and prepare for Illinois this week.”
On setting the all-time Florida Atlantic receptions record
“It is a great personal accomplish, but you should know me by now, I like to win. But not taking away from that, it is a big accomplishment for me and I am very proud of myself.”
On when he first arrived at FAU
“I told my dad when I first got here, even though I was a blueshirt offer, that before I leave here that when people look back 10, 20 years from now, they will remember LaJohntay Wester because either I break a record or my performance and character.”
On giving it his all-in practices and games
“That is just how I was raised playing from little league all the way to high school. It is just one speed: go 100%.”
On the test the team faces with a new QB
“It definitely is a true test for the team, but D-Rich is ready. We had a whole spring with him, so we are real confident in what he has to bring to the table.”
On the heart of the WR room
“That is what makes us so good, we all have that hunger and chip on our shoulder every day. We know we are not the tallest, the strongest, the fastest, but we have a lot of heart and play with a lot of effort and that is what we give every day.”
GAME DETAILS
Saturday Sept. 24 – Florida Atlantic at Illinois
- Time – 3:30 p.m.
- Television – Big Ten Network, Jason Ross, Jr., Howard Griffith and Justine Ward
- Radio – Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the game’s call on FoxSports South Florida
COACH’S RADIO SHOW
Frank Forte and Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman will appear together weekly on the FAU Coaches’ Show. This year’s show will be recorded live at Duffy’s Sports Grill, located at 401 N. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 each Thursday at noon. The show is scheduled to air each Friday night on Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida, beginning at 6 p.m.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2023 season, the first in the American Conference, by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or by going online HERE. For more ticket information click HERE. To purchase away game tickets, click on the above Buy Now link. Single-game tickets may also be purchased by visiting HERE.
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