BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University football team (4-4, 3-1 AAC) will look to keep their championship hopes alive this weekend when they travel to Birmingham, Alabama for a 3 p.m. EST contest versus host UAB (2-6, 1-3 AAC). The matchup will air on ESPN+.
This will be the 10th meeting between the two schools; however, both are under the direction of first year coaches. Since 2020, the two schools have traded wins, both winning at home. Both also met in a conference championship, 2019, with FAU coming away with the 49-6 C-USA Championship victory.
While the contest is homecoming for the Blazers, it is also a homecoming of sorts for FAU running back Larry McCammon III, who played his prep career at Hoover High School. McCammon leads the Owls averaging 77 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry. Also making his return home is wide receiver Javion Posey. Posey came to FAU as a quarterback but has spent his last two seasons exclusively as a wide receiver. The third Owl returning is senior offensive lineman Marquice Robinson. Robinson has played in 56 FAU games and is just four shy of tying the program’s all-time leader in game played with Zyon Gilbert, who also hails from the state of Alabama.
Heading into Saturday’s game, one player to keep an eye on is LaJohntay Wester, the nation’s receptions leader (9.5per game) as well as punt returner (22.6 yards per punt). Wester is on track to end his career as the best to play the game at FAU. With one reception, he will become the program’s all-time single-season reception leader. He is currently tied with Lucky Whitehead at 76, which Whitehead set in 2014 prior to his NFL career.
BURLSWORTH NOMINEE
Congratulations to FAU redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tony Johnson for being named as a 2023 Burlsworth Trophy Nominee. In total, 73 players were nomination across the country and is
bestowed to the most outstanding football payer in American who bean his career as a walk-on. Johnson originally came to FAU on an academic scholarship and then tried out of the Owls. He has been an everyday starter in 2023 and has recorded 49 career receptions for a total of 539 yards. Following the 2022 season, Johnson was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and has been a regular member of the FAU 3.0 GPA club as well as a commissioner’s honor roll member. In the award’s 14th year, the trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk on and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth’s life is also the subject of a major motion picture, “GREATER”, which was released in 2016.
QUOTABLE
Redshirt Sophomore WR Tony Johnson
On being named to the watch list
“I’m grateful for it. It means a lot, to work hard and get noticed for it. I’m just going to keep going and I’m thankful that people are noticing walk-ons around the country. It is a big award for me.”
Playing with a Chip on his Shoulder
“Being a walk-on, I feel like you always have to bet on yourself, work hard for it and trust your ability, believe in God and he will take care of the rest. You can’t worry about what people say about you. You have to put your head down and work.
GAME DETAILS
Saturday, Nov. 4 – Florida Atlantic at UAB
- Time – 3 p.m. EST
- Television – ESPN+
- Radio – Ken LaVicka and Kris Bartels will have the game’s call on FoxSports South Florida
- ESPN+ – Jack Benjamin and Brian Kinchen will provide the coverage
COACH’S RADIO SHOW
Frank Forte and Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Herman will appear together weekly on the FAU Coaches’ Show. This week’s show will be recorded live at Duffy’s Sports Grill, located at 401 N. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 on Thursday at noon. The show is scheduled to air each Friday night on Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida, beginning at 6 p.m.
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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