Will The Owls Offense Soar Vs UCF?

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

After three weeks, the FAU Owls have proven one thing.

They can score points.

On August 27, the Owls hammered the Charlotte 49’ers at FAU Stadium 43-13 in a matchup of teams that will be changing conferences in 2023 moving to the American Athletic (AAC).

FAU traveled to Ohio and faced the Bobcats and lost a hard fought 41-38 contest on September 3.

The Owls returned home on September 10 and pounded SE Louisiana 42-9 in a game that was delayed by inclement weather.

Here are some key statistics which stand out in these three contests as FAU prepares to host the University of Central Florida (UCF) Saturday Night at 7:30 PM in a nationally televised game on the CBS Sports Network. 

The stats which standout for FAU are on the offensive side of the ball.

*FAU has outscored its opponents 123-63 averaging 41 points-per-game while holding their opponent to 21 PPG.

*FAU has amassed 715 yards rushing while holding its opponents to 315 yards. The Owls are averaging 232.7 per game while the opponents are averaging 79 yards.

*FAU’s passing numbers are impressive. The Owls are throwing for 297.67 per-game and their total is 893. Meanwhile, the opponents stand at 254.87 and 767 yards.

*The final team statistic we’ll address is total offense. FAU has racked up 1,591 yards, are averaging 533.7 per-game and has scored 16 touchdowns. The opponents have amassed 1,001 yards, are averaging 337.7 yards with eight touchdowns.

Who are the players compiling the numbers?

We’ll start with the QB as N’Kosi Perry is 58-93-879 with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.

FAU QB N’Kosi Perry
Photo Credit Candy Ebling

The first time that I saw Perry play was on September 8, 2018 when he was the Miami Hurricanes backup QB and came off the bench in a 77-0 rout over Savannah State University and tossed three touchdown passes. To date, this is the largest margin of victory in Hurricanes history.

FAU’s leading rushers are Larry McCammon III who is 43-306 and two touchdowns. Zuberi Mobley has 37 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Perry is proving he can use his legs to the tune of 17-58 and two touchdowns.

Perry is proving to be a a duel threat signal caller and the way the NFL is trending you could see him play in the NFL, USFL or XFL in the coming year.

FAU Touchdown WR Je’Quan Burton
Photo Credit Candy Ebling

FAU’s leading receivers are: LaJohntay Wester, 15-222 and three touchdowns. Jahmal Edrine 12-159 and two touchdowns. Je’Quan Burton 7-151 and a pair of touchdowns. Tony Johnson rounds out the group with 7-126 and a touchdown.

Can FAU continue to pile on the points?

We’ll know how well they fare against and angry UCF Knights team that’s looking to bounce back from the Louisville loss. There is no doubt that National Championship winning coach Gus Malzahn will have his team ready to play.

FAU is going into the game as eight point underdogs, though I did pick them as an upset pick on the Spotlight Sports Network show, Coffee and Sports, and I’m helping the Empire Sports Network. My co-hosts Key Williams and Coach Donte were a bit surprised by the pick and I’m waiting to hear back from Empire Sports Network Owner Freddie Henderson to get his reaction.

I decided to pick FAU because UCF showed me nothing on Friday, September 9 in a home 20-14 loss to Louisville.

On September 24, the Owls travel for a 7:30 contest against the Purdue Boilermakers which will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

These back-to-back nationally televised games against strong competition will either give the Owls some great exposure for the right reasons and put the program on the map. 

FAU Owls
Photo Credit Candy Ebling

If FAU struggles vs these teams, it will be hard for the rest of the college football world to take the Owls and Coach Willie Taggart seriously knowing they defeated inferior competition.

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com and you can follow him on Twitter @TribuneSouth.

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