BOCA RATON, Fla. – Montgomery Bowl prep week continued Thursday with on-field work for the Florida Atlantic University football team (5-3, 4-2, Conference USA), who will face Memphis (7-3, 5-3 American Athletic Conference) on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN.
Following Tuesday’s practice, redshirt sophomore Armani-Eli Adams claimed the championship of the video game tournament. Following Wednesday’s practice which included the normal weekly prep for the upcoming opponent, the Owls squared off in what shifted into a prolonged early evening of dodgeball. While no winner was announced, Eddie Williams and Jordan Helm seemed to be the heavy favorites.
Another Thursday highlight was redshirt sophomore punter Matt Hayball being named to the C-USA Football All-Academic Team. Hayball’s selection marks the sixth consecutive year that an Owl has earned one of the coveted 11 spots on the academic team.
COORDINATOR CORNERDefensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt
On the Owls’ bowl opponent
“Memphis is that good. We all know that. They put up almost 800 yards on Central Florida (UCF). This quarterback [Brady White] is that good and the receivers, running backs and O line, they are just really good. It is going to be a great challenge for us. We are excited to see what we can do.”
What makes Memphis’ offense different that the other teams you have faced?
“The quarterback. He has broken every record in the history of Memphis, throwing for over 10,000 [yards]. He has got yards. Broke all their touchdowns. He throws all the balls. He is confident. He knows the offense. He is that good.”
Co-Offensive Coordinator Drew Mehringer
What do you need to do against Memphis?
“I think that these guys are a well-coached team. They are not terribly complicated in what they do. They don’t pretend to be. They know who they are. They know their identity. They are good upfront. They are very good upfront. They will move their front at times, but I think they are pretty simple. They are good cover guys. They will make you drive the field. They are not going to put themselves in situations where, they are a bend-but-don’t-break type philosophy, but they are not going to put themselves in compromising situations. They are going to be disciplined and know the adjustment to the formation and make you play a complete game if you are going to beat these guys.”
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BOWL NOTES
- This marks the program’s fifth bowl since 2007, the first season FAU was eligible to play in a bowl game, and third bowl game in the last four years
- Previous Bowl appearances: 2007 New Orleans Bowl (FAU 44, Memphis 27), 2008 Motor City Bowl (FAU 24, Central Michigan 21), 2017 Boca Raton Bowl (FAU 50, Akron 3), 2019 Boca Raton (FAU 52, SMU 28)
INSIDE THE OWLS’ BURROW
Frank Forte, host and producer of Inside the Owls’ Burrow, goes one-on-one with FAU head coach Willie Taggart as the pair preview the 2020 Montgomery Bowl and will discuss the December 2020 recruiting class. The final episode of 2020 will feature running backs assistant coach Chris Perkins and the player feature will focus on Romain “Smoke” Mungin. This week’s show will air on Fox Sports Florida on Friday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19 at both 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., again on Monday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at both 4 and 11 p.m.
