BOCA RATON, Fla. – For the second Saturday in as many weeks, the Florida Atlantic University football team held a scrimmage in FAU Stadium. For a second Saturday, a clear winner of the day (offense versus defense) was hard to determine.
The first half saw the defense force punts on the first two possessions. Following that, the offense began to move down the field with successes in both the pass and run game. On 3rd-and-8, Nick Tronti found TJ Chase for a score, and shortly after, Javion Posey became the first 20+-mph Owl of the day with his 60-yard score.
The defense responded by recording sacks, including a big one from Decarius Hawthorne and Chase Lasater, forcing more punts. LaJohntay Wester caught a short pass and broke for an additional 40 yards, proving his elusive 2020 moves are here to stay. Tyrek Tisdale got into the action with a 17-yard run and then saved a play with redirection and took it in for a score. The defense’s response was to recover a center/quarterback exchange, which they did several times throughout the day. Jonathan Francois, who moved from the defensive side to the offensive side this spring, showed his merit with power-packed runs.
The first half ended with senior Korel Smith’s defense on his receiver, tipping a ball which fell in the waiting hands of Zyon Gilbert, who returned it for the score.
The second half was heavy on defense. Malcolm Lamar was credited with a tackle for a loss and Diashun Moss had an interception. Transfer quarterback Michael Johnson, Jr. used his legs to gain a first down, but the pressure remained with D’Marcus Adams earning a sack, and senior linebacker Ahman Ross was the last Owl to find the end zone, following his INT. It looked like that honor would go to receiver Je’Quan Burton after he beat his defender for the score, but the play was reduced to a 40-yard reception due to stepping out of bounds. Lasater closed out the day’s highlights when he added another TFL.
THE DRAFT
Complete rosters will be announced Monday, March 22.
Team Perkins (Red)
Free Agent Picks: Johnny Ford and Teja Young
Team Bills (White)
Free Agent Picks: Nick Weber and Evan Anderson
Saturday’s Draft
SPEED ZONE
Something new to the Owls’ practice is announcing players to break 20 mph. Players wear a vest, that among other things, measures their speeds throughout the day. The moment a player hits the speed of 20 mph, a horn sounds and the strength coaches drop and do a regiment of pushups. Saturday proved to be a tough day for the strength staff with five players hitting the 20+-mph mark: “Smoke” Romain Mungin, Teja Young, Posey, Moss and Ross.
WHAT’S NEXT
FAU will return to the practice fields Tuesday morning. To follow the team socially, visit @faufootball or for the most up-to-date information go to www.fausports.com.
