BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Owls are in their final week of preseason camp. For the Florida Atlantic University football team, that means more team tempo work, staying mentally tough, and celebrating a “Freak.”
FAU moved through the first third of the practice and then hit the “team period,” which is broken into several periods. One such period is the team tempo period which conjures memories of watching the 15th round of a heavyweight battle with no one willing to tap out. No one completes that period with gas left in the tank, but somehow, they go on, whether it is encouragement from the sideline, a quickly inserted sub, or the internal mental fortitude to power though, knowing that being conditioned for up-tempo on either side of the ball in South Florida heat can become an Owl weapon.
CONGRATULATIONS
Redshirt senior WR Je’Quan Burton also received a very deserving accolade, grabbing a coveted spot on the Bruce Felman 2023 College football Freaks List published by The Athletic.
The list that began 20 years ago recognizes true athletes with the ability to blow one’s mind.
Burton came to the Owls as a junior college transfer. He believed in himself and his ability, opting to come to FAU as a walk-on. He has since earned a scholarship and proved to be a safe bet. The West Orlando, Florida native has seen action in 23 games, has tallied 60 catches for exactly 1,000 career yards and has found the end zone seven times for the Owls. This is his second appearance on the Freaks List. In 2022, it was for his 11-5 broad jump and clocking a fully automated time (FAT) 4.36 40. During the 2023 summer, Burton showed he can fly with a 46.3 vertical jump (has since record a 47.0 leap), which is higher than anyone achieved at the 2023 NFL combine.
ALUMNI NOTE
Throughout preseason, former Owls have joined the team at practice. On Tuesday, two who seem to be at practice every day, because they are – as part of the staff, were on the sidelines together during special teams work. Welcome to the office, Jordan Helm (2016-21) and Nick Tronti (2019-21).
QUOTABLE
Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Charlie Frye
On what they are working on in camp
“Progression of the offense. Today was practice 11, and now we are getting into more situational work. Week one was kind of base installation, early down, third down, red area, short yardage, goal line. Going into week two, we are now working more in a backed-up situation today: worked the grind four-minute situation. And then we got back into the red zone. So, we are throwing a lot of different situations at the kids and I think they are handling it great. I appreciate the effort that they are giving out there more than anything. We have to continue to maintain our urgency throughout practice.”
On going up-tempo
“You just look at how the game is played today; tempo can be a weapon. I am not saying you do it every snap, but in and out of a fast paced, NASCAR-like tempo really forces the defense to align and forces communication. Down here, I think it can be a competitive advantage. As the drive continues, that is where we have to mentally focus and dig a little bit deeper to maintain it.”
Redshirt Senior OL Marquice Robinson
On the mentality to get through practice
“You have to take it one play at a time. You can’t think about how many plays we have or what is being called, you just need to focus on the now. That’s how us as offensive linemen get through it. If you sit there and think about having to do tempo, you are not going to do it to the best of your ability. But if you just say, ‘to heck with it’ no matter what they call, we have to run it the best way that we can.”
On communication between the players
“We have guys coming off the field: ones, twos, or threes, it doesn’t matter. We are not too old or cool to help get them water, communicate with them, ask them what they saw. Especially with the young guys, this is brand new to them. With me being a vet, I feel like it is my job and my duty to make sure that if they have questions or need anything, I am there for them.”
On having a new center
“There is no drop-off at all. Fed (Federico Maranges) has been doing a great job, all of the centers have been doing a great job. It is just up to us. We all have to be able to help each other communicate whatever that we are seeing.”
Redshirt Senior WR B.J. Alexander
On keeping focused during tempo
“We pride ourselves on mental and physical toughness. Even though it is hard, it is not too much for us to do. We harp on this so much. Even before the tempo period, I was just happy and loud on the field screaming because I was just ready to attack the tempo period. I was looking forward to it all day because I know it is tough.”
On staying ready for anything
“That is how you have to approach it: be ready for whatever. Even if we call a tempo drill for the first period of practice, we have to be ready for it. Just like coach (Tom) Herman says: if we start fast, it will usually carry on throughout practice. If you start slow, it will be tough to build back up to a fast pace.”
On the depth of the receiver room
“That is one of our best assets. Everyone we have, there is no drop-off. We have been like that even before fall camp. During spring, we harped on having each other’s back, making sure that when one goes down the next person is ready to step up. Our work ethic shows that so much. I am proud of the stuff that everyone is doing. We can all go out there and make plays. I love what we built way back then and it is carrying over into what we are doing now.”
HIGHLIGHTS
- Junior DL Jaden Wheeler was credited and praised for a sack
- On first and 10, redshirt sophomore RB Zuberi Mobley punched through for a 10-yard score
- Graduate transfer QB Ben Ballard found sophomore TE Kahlil Brantley for a 20-yard gain
- Casey Thompson, also a graduate QB, hit junior receiver LaJohntay Wester in the left corner of the end zone for 7-yard touchdown
- Shortly thereafter, junior QB Daniel Richardson connected with redshirt junior WR Javion Posey for a four-yard touchdown reception
NEXT UP
The next practice will be held Wednesday morning at the Tom Oxley Center, the former training facility for the team between 2000 and 2019.
GAME DETAILS
Saturday Sept. 2 – Monmouth at Florida Atlantic
- Time – 6 p.m.
- Television – ESPN+
- Radio – Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the game’s 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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