BOCA RATON, Fla. – Practice six of the 2023 preseason was held Wednesday morning. For the first time, the players arrived at practice wearing full pads, signifying that the college football season is officially around the corner.
There were the usual first day miscues but the team, who had been practicing hard even without pads, upped the ante with contact. The Owls also spent more time working on “team,” featuring full 11-on-11 work.
SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION
Time to celebrate junior inside linebacker Jarrett Jerrels, who was told, Monday night, that he would receive a scholarship.
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman
On the first day in pads
“It’s real football. We had not played real football since the spring game. I thought our guys responded well…It’s hot everywhere, we get that, [so] we’re giving them breaks, we have water on the sideline, hydrate test everybody, we IV the guys that need to get IV after practice. But we need to be mentally tougher and the only way to get mentally tougher is to put yourself in uncomfortable situations over and over again…for the most part, I thought our guys responded really well to the heat and being in full pads.”
On teaching
“We teach everything in this program. We [the coaching staff] are very high paid teachers. We teach ball security one time in the beginning of training camp and spring practice and we tell them about the expectations of their effort level on a constant basis. At the end of the day, we are going to teach technique, plays and schemes, that’s what we do. But the two things we demand in this program are ball security and fanatical effort.”
On Jarrett Jerrels
“I want to congratulate Jarrett Jerrels for EARNING, not getting, a scholarship to Florida Atlantic. He deserves it and is going to help us compete this year…probably the coolest thing I get to do as a coach. The confetti snow angels are fun, kissing trophies and getting rings are fun, but when you give a guy that has worked as hard as Jarrett Jerrels has worked and has bled and sweat, and cried for this program and university, and you’re able to reward him, it’s pretty cool. For him to able to share this with his teammates, what you saw in that celebration, that was real. That is one of, if not the, most rewarding things I get to do in this job.”
THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Graduate quarterback Casey Thompson had a strong day, hitting redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tony Johnson, who made a nice over the shoulder catch, and also found senior tight end Marvin Landy for a sizable gain
- Redshirt senior WR Je’Quan Burton collected a pass from junior QB Daniel Richardson and then toe-tapped into the end zone
- Newcomer WR Devin Price used his frame to climb the ladder for a 25-yard scoring reception
- Fellow newcomer Gemari Sands, a freshman running back from St. Thomas Aquinas, had a 25-yard TD run, while redshirt sophomore running back Zuberi Mobley broke tackles with a 25-yard run up the middle to find the end zone Graduate RB Kobe Lewis had another good day with a 10-yard scoring carry
- The day didn’t belong solely to the offense. Graduate newcomer defensive back Jarron Morris recorded a nice pass breakup and junior nickel Courtney Lamas-Lanier knocked a pass down in the end zone
- Redshirt sophomore CB Zeroun Skinner wrapped a runner at the two-yard line to prevent a score. “Smoke” Romain Mungin also prevented a score with a pass breakup
- The defense forced a change of possession inside the offensive 10 when redshirt junior Dwight Toombs II forced a fumble that went into the end zone and out of bounds prior to being recovered for a touchback
VIDEO RECAP
NEXT UP
The next practice is scheduled for Thursday morning. It will be the first time for the players to wear full pads.
The Owls will host the 2023 Fan Fest presented by Duffy’s on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Football players as well as members from both cross country and soccer teams will be on hand for autographs.
GAME DETAILS
Saturday Sept. 2 – Monmouth at Florida Atlantic
- Time – 6 p.m.
- Television – ESPN+
- Radio – Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the call on FoxSports South Florida
- Theme – Welcome newly hired Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman and season opener. Let the “New Era” begin!
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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