BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University football team will return to “paradise” this weekend, where the Owls will play host to Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m.
The game, to be played on Howard Schnellenberger Field, will feature FAU, who is 1-0 at home and working to keep their home field record unblemished. Standing in the way is a team that is ranked No. 16 nationally at the FCS level, and who played well in their first game versus Lafayette.
This game’s theme is Palm Tree Appreciation Day.
QUOTABLE
Offensive Coordinator Brent Dearmon
On last week’s game at Ohio
The big thing for us is that we came out flat in the second half. We went into halftime with a 17-13 lead. I think we had eight plays in the third quarter, two possessions, and in those two possessions, we failed to really strike up much of anything. We had a three and out right off the bat, and then we had a five-play drive right after that, where we end up punting. In those eight plays, we had the ball for three or four minutes in the third quarter. They (Ohio) were able to capitalize and get points. By the time we got to the fourth quarter, we were in catchup mode. It all goes back to us being flat in the third quarter. We have to be better after halftime.
On the offensive line performance against Ohio
“I thought they did a pretty good job. In the first half, we had over 100 yards rushing. We were able to throw the ball. I think we ended up with about 270 (total yards) in the first half. We were playing pretty physical, and then we got into a game in the fourth quarter where we put them in a bind because we had to do so much drop back. We ended up (allowing) two sacks, one of them was a coverage sack where N’Kosi tried to tuck it and run and ended up getting -1 (yards).”
On N’Kosi Perry’s performance
“I thought he did a pretty good job. He took a couple of hits on some QB run stuff. I thought he stepped up for the occasion. We needed to score in that fourth quarter in a hurry. In a three-minute span of us having the football, we scored three times, so him being able to drive the ball down the field and put us back in the game, I was really impressed with it.”
On the challenges against Southeastern Louisiana
“You can’t come out flat in the first quarter and you can’t come out flat in the third quarter. They’re a really good football team, you’re talking about a ranked FCS opponent who played Lafayette really hard last week. They’re really sound, really disciplined, so it’s us preaching to our guys that we need to focus in on what we’re supposed to do, take care of our job, and make sure that we don’t stall out drives that hurt our football teams.”
On scouting Southeastern Louisiana’s defense
“This guy’s been a (defensive coordinator) here for one game, so we’re going off of one game. We kind of know, but you still have to be ready for the unknown with only one game on tape. It’s a little bit nicer than where we have been with a complete guess. They mix things up, they do a good job of all of the looks they gave already just in that one game that they’ve played, so it’s going to be another tough challenge for us.”
On Redshirt Freshman WR Jahmal Edrine
“I’ve always believed in Jahmal. He’s that big body receiver, you just put it somewhere close to him, he’ll go up and catch it. That corner route he caught late in the game showed everybody that. He’s got some ways to go because he’s young, but he showed some really good things, like his willingness to get in there, put his face in there and block. He’s got some growing to do, but he really impressed us with some things.”
On his message to the team after a loss
“You can’t just tear them down. We really looked at those eight plays in the third quarter as a whole, and everybody’s seen what we can do better on those eight plays. But then you highlight the positives. We had 38 points, we had over 470 yards, 66 in the red zone, we were over 50% on third downs. There are positives in that game too we can grow from. The big thing we told them at the end of the game is do what you have to do during the week, so you never feel like this again. There are positives and negatives we were able to learn from.”
Redshirt Freshman WR Jahaml Edrine
On his performance
“I felt like I had a pretty good day, but at the end of the day it all cancels out with a loss.”
On the physicality of the Ohio game
“It was new to me. I felt like my first game, Charlotte, wasn’t as physical. We brought more of the physicality, but they brought some too. The feeling was new.”
On showing what he’s capable of
“I feel like when the ball is in the air, it’s mine, no matter how many times, no matter who’s around me.”
On coming back from a loss
“I feel like the team is more upbeat than last week. Coach (Willie) Taggart hit on a point, that in 2017, (FAU) started 1-3 and lost to a MAC school. Guys are really taking it as a next week mindset. There are no long faces around here. We’re upset about the loss of course, but we’re all looking at this week and the next opponent (SELA). It’ll be about this week.”
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
This week’s show will include a sit down with Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Willie Taggart. Show host and producer Frank Forte and Taggart will review last week’s game at Ohio, the first road trip of the season and will preview this week’s home contest versus No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana. The show will air on Thursday and Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. on Bally Sports Florida. Hear from new offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon as he talks 1-on-1, get to know cornerback Jayden Williams in “Pads Off”, plus the personal story of center Nick Weber in the latest of our “Football in Paradise” series.
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.
