BOCA RATON, Fla. – A clear beautiful blue sky with occasional cloud cover sheltered the Florida Atlantic University football team on Tuesday morning and for the first time of the 2021 camp, the Owls’ three-hour workday proceeded as scripted with no weather interruptions.
MEET THE PLAYERS
Graduate Student Tight End
Zaire Mitchell-Paden
On transferring to FAU:
Coming to FAU is different, more so the weather. It is hot and humid here and in Cleveland you get hot days, snowy days, mostly rainy days. I’m currently trying to get acclimated with the team and working on building the brotherhood and companionship with everyone on the team.
What do you anticipate the jump to be coming from DII to FAU:
I would say it is a big jump. The conference (I played in before) wasn’t as big as Conference USA and I’m expecting better competition from the defensive ends, linebackers and bigger safeties.
On playing last spring (five games), going right into summer workout and now fall camp:
It is definitely different. My body wasn’t acclimated to that type of atmosphere, but I have gotten used to it after coming here this summer and working out with the team.
Freshman Outside Linebacker Chris Jones
On his 2021 goals:
My goal every year is to be more productive than I was last year. You can’t stay the same. Staying the same in a moving world is getting worse. I have to always get better and produce more and be the best me that I can be.
On his weight gain in the offseason:
So far since I have been here, Coach Joey (Guarascio) and his amazing program has put 50 pounds on me. The way I lift now is completely different than the way I lifted in high school. I have made major gains that are almost unhuman-like. I feel like all that he does is going to translate over to the field drastically, like it did during the spring.”
On Leighton McCarthy and trying to fill the spot he left as the lone starter (offense or defense) not returning:
My goal isn’t to make him the standard. My goal is to make my own standard and be better than anyone has ever been at FAU. I don’t let anyone set the standard for me. I set my own standard.
SIDELINE CELEBRATIONS
- Kelvin Dean, Jr. ducked under the rush and through the line for a 25-yard score
- Johnny Ford gained the edge and galloped into the secondary
- Willie Taggart, Jr. called his own number and race for a 50+-yard touchdown, untouched by any defenders
- Team drills saw Nick Tronti find Aaron Young for a score, and the two made a connection once more for a 20-yard gain
- Dwight Toombs had his first interception of the day with a big return and later collected a Justin McKithen tipped ball for his second INT
- Malcolm Lamar provided the pressure for a sack
- Teja Young was also credited with an INT
- The 7-on-7 saw the offense have success early with Taggart, Jr. finding Damian Alloway and Aaron Young for scores, while Tronti had a TD pass to LaJohntay Wester and N’Kosi Perry did the same with Malcolm Davidson; however, the defense came to life with pass breakups by Antarrius Moultrie, Ahman Ross and two by Eddie Williams
- Later it was Taggart, Jr. to Alloway who broke multiple tackles for a score and the freshman QB then hit Rayquan Berry, completely open for the stroll-in score
SPEED ZONE
- Romain “Smoke” Mungin was the only Owl to hear the alarm on Tuesday
DIGITAL DAILIES
What’s Next
Wednesday will be a day off for the Owls. FAU will return to the practice fields on Thursday, Aug. 12.
2021 SEASON
The Owls open up the 2021 campaign on the road on Saturday, Sept. 4, in Gainesville against Florida. The home opener is the following Saturday, at 3:30 p.m., hosting Georgia Southern.
For more information on season tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit HERE.
Also scheduled for opening weekend at FAU Stadium is the Coach Howard Schnellenberger Celebration of Life, to be held the night before the game against GSU, Friday, Sept. 10, with the public event starting at 7:30 p.m.
