BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University’s football team concluded the 2023 spring with their annual Spring Game on Saturday.
FAU faithful showed up for an early look at what new Hagerty Family Football Head Coach Tom Herman and staff have been building towards. A month of spring practices, 15 in all, culminated in an action-packed matchup that saw Team Red take down Team White 42-17.
While Team White was given an early 3-0 head start before the game even began thanks to a victorious “Oklahoma Drill,” it was all Red once the clock was underway.
The top three quarterbacks, Daniel Richardson, Ben Ballard, and Tyriq Starks, rotated between teams. The two newcomers, Richardson and Ballard stood out, combining for 461 yards and six touchdowns. Starks added a touchdown of his own as each offense played mostly mistake-free football with no interceptions and only one fumble.
Big plays were the name of the game with 16 plays going for 15+ yards, many coming from runs after the catch and broken tackles, and eight total touchdowns. Junior Jymetre Hester led the way for the wideouts, hauling in four passes for 87 yards (including one for a game-long 53 yards) and a touchdown.
Running back Kobe Lewis was the main force to be reckoned with on the ground game, with a game-high 89 yards on 12 carries, with five of them going for at least 10 yards. Larry McCammon III added 65 yards with a long of 24 yards and recorded the game’s only rushing touchdown.
On the flip side, the defensive unit was able to rack up tackles, highlighted by Junior inside linebacker Jarrett Jerrels with 12 total tackles. For the second straight year, Decarius Hawthorne impressed in a Spring Game, registering six tackles and a sack.
For the Owls, the Spring Game was just another day in a stretch of spring football to build towards their goals of success in the fall.
QUOTABLE
Hagerty Family Football Head Coach Tom Herman
“One major goal from us coming into spring practice was to learn how to practice. I think through 15 opportunities, we definitely did that. I hope the people here that have seen previous [FAU] teams have seen a change in physicality, a change in effort, in the ability to love each other and play for each other, put yourself aside and play for the guy next to you. We have not arrived by any stretch, but the message is loud and clear, and the guys are trying to live that culture every day. It has been fun to watch.”
Junior QB Daniel Richardson
“It was a great experience (speaking of the Spring Game). It was a blessing to be out there…I give hats off to the offensive line on both teams and the receivers and running backs for making plays for me. Without the offensive line, nothing can get started. You get the ball into the playmakers hands and then they do the rest.”
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Chaz Neal
“I feel on both sides we dominated in what we needed to do. Overall, the red team won it, but everyone dominated. All that our coaches ask from us is to give our all every day. With this group, that’s what happened today.”
Graduate Student RB Kobe Lewis
“This is my first spring in a while. I enjoyed every bit of it. Just coming in, I feel good coming out of it healthy. I like where the team is now. I love the culture and environment. I loved every aspect. Coming into the summer, we’re just going to keep pushing and get ready for the fall camp.”
Redshirt Sophomore NT Jacob Merrifield
“I think it was good. We came out and competed, had good energy, and had fun. Obviously, there is a lot to work on, but we have all summer to get ready for the season. I think it was fun to show the fans the new team.”
THE STATS
Passing
- Daniel Richardson: 18-22, 238 yards, 3 TD
- Ben Ballard: 16-25, 223 yards, 3 TD
- Tyriq Starks: 7-18, 89 Yards, 1 TD
Rushing
- Kobe Lewis: 12 carries, 89 yards
- Larry McCammon III: 10 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
- Glover Cook III: 9 carries, 59 yards
Receiving
- Jymetre Hester: 4 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
- Zuberi Mobley: 5 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD
- Jackson Sumlin: 2 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD
- BJ Alexander: 3 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD
- Kobe Stewart: 3 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
- Je’Quan Burton: 1 reception, 8 yards, 1 TD
- Jayshon Platt: 1 reception, 4 yards, 1 TD
- Jarrett Jerrells: 12 tackles
- Jahbari Hill: 7 tackles
- Decarius Hawthorne: 6 tackles, 1 sack
- Morven Joseph: 5 tackles
- Carter Odell: 4 tackles, 2 PD
- Marlon Bradley: 1 tackle, 1 sack
FULL STATS
Click HERE
THE 2023 SCHEDULE
Click HERE
Note: Broadcast outlets and kick-off times will be announced later this Spring. All games can be heard on Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida.
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.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
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