Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Homecoming game preview: Why the Trojans will send FAU alumni home disappointed

FAU lost 34-7 last season at Troy. The Owls are just 1-8 all-time against the Trojans. Photo courtesy of Zach Duarte.

By Rolando Rosa

In its last game, FAU offensive coordinator Brian Wright moved down from his regular position in the box to the sidelines to provide an emotional boost to his unit. For the most part it paid off, as the Owls (1-6 overall, 0-4 in conference play) racked up 34 points in the loss, their most all season.

Yet, unless Wright plans on taking the field for the Owls against Troy (4-3 overall, 3-2 in conference play), the losing streak is going to be extended to seven games. Troy's offense is extremely potent. The Trojans are No. 18 in the nation in passing yards per game (303.1) and No. 57 in rushing yards per game (167.7)

Trojans quarterback Corey Robinson was knocked out of their game last weekend against FIU but will be back in time to torment the Owls porous defense. Owls head coach Carl Pelini sees the challenges Troy provides with their versatility.

"They have a lot of speed, they can run, even their front guys can run," Pelini said to FAU Sports. "It's a great speed team and they're a physical football team."

The Owls and the Trojans were on opposite sides of comebacks last weekend. While FAU blew their 14-point lead to South Alabama, Troy stormed back from down 16 in the third quarter to upset FIU. 

Pelini knows his team needs to be extra prepared for the Trojans this week now that they have more confidence.

"I was reading about their game," Pelini said to FAU Sports. "They felt like that comeback against FIU kind of saved their season. It'll be a hard challenge for us. I think anytime you get an adrenaline boost like that, off a big comeback, it makes a team even more hungry the next week."

The Owls host Troy on Saturday Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. in its Homecoming game.








Pelini shocked by players positive attitude in practice after crushing loss to South Alabama

FAU head coach Carl Pelini is on a six-game losing streak but hasn't lost the respect of his players. Photo courtesy of Michelle Friswell.


By Rolando Rosa

When a team gifts a victory to an opponent in its Homecoming game, it wouldn't be unreasonable to feel dejected deep into the following week. However, after blowing a 14-point lead in last Saturday's 37-34 double overtime loss at South Alabama, FAU players returned to Boca with a positive attitude. 

This threw their head coach for a loop.

"I obsess over that all weekend and then we come out on Tuesday and have a great practice," Pelini said to Owl Access. "It's like they're bailing me out a little bit. I worry about how I'm going to get them back and keep their morale up and they come out and have a really good one."

Before they could refocus, the Owls had to let go of their disappointment. FAU seemed to finally be on its way to win No.2 on the season before imploding down the stretch with inept offense and sloppy, penalty-filled defense.

"It's terrible, it hurt a lot. It hurt real bad," senior linebacker David Hinds said to the Sun-Sentinel. "We didn't finish. We been so much better, so much harder, in the fourth quarter. We're hungry for a win. I'm starving for a win. I want one real bad. It hurts."

Yet, once the players headed home the pain began to dissipate, a sign of a team which is maturing even while riding a massive losing streak.

Hinds and Co. play their Homecoming game this Saturday against Troy. If they're going to have any chance at the victory in front of the alumni, not only will their spirits need to be high, but their execution will need to be as well.

The Owls host Troy on Saturday Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. in its Homecoming game.






Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Big Will Style: William Dukes emerges as FAU's No.1 receiver

Owls sophomore receiver William Dukes had a team-high five catches for 96 yards in last week's 35-14 loss to ULM. Photo courtesy of Ralph Notaro.

By: Rolando Rosa

Owls offensive coordinator Brian Wright is blunt in his assessment of the key ingredient a potent offense needs: dynamic play makers. While the FAU offense is hardly striking fear into opposing defenses, a pleasant surprise has been the play of sophomore wide receiver William Dukes.

Dukes currently leads the team with 23 receptions for 320 yards. Last week at ULM, he recorded a team-high five catches for 96 yards. Dukes is becoming one of quarterback Graham Wilbert's favorite targets.

"Me and Graham got that connection," Dukes said. "We've been working all summer. So he's going to throw those passes so I can go up there and get them."

Dukes explains how the chemistry with Wilbert started last season. He says even though he was a freshman taking limited snaps, Wilbert could already see the potential he had.

Wright would gladly welcome more steady production from Dukes to alleviate the burden the offense is carrying each week to perform.

"We have to be perfect at times in order to execute," Wright says. "And that's a tough way to live on offense."

So far, Dukes has been the only big-play threat on the team. He already has multiple catches of over 40 yards and averages just under 14 yards per reception. Against Georgia, Dukes hauled in a 48-yard catch. He wants fans to know his fearless approach to big games comes from his preparation level throughout the week.

"I had to let people know that it's not just in this conference. I can do it in any conference," Dukes said. "I work hard with my fundamentals so I don't worry about who's in front of me. I worry about what I have to do."

For more Owls news, check out Owl Access and the Sun-Sentinel.

FAU plays at South Alabama on Saturday Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m.

The Loser Bowl: One win squads FAU and South Alabama square off this Saturday in Mobile

FAU has only scored 79 points through half of the season, which is last in the Sun Belt. Photo courtesy of Ralph Notaro. 

By: Rolando Rosa

If you're looking for a shootout, stay away from FAU-South Alabama this weekend.

Halfway through the season, FAU's offense is dreadfully awful. The Owls average 13.2 points per game, ranked No. 123 in the country. Luckily for FAU, their upcoming opponent is almost equally as terrible. 

South Alabama, a transitional BCS team in its their fourth year of existence, scores 16 points per game, No. 119 in the nation. The Jaguars are riding a four-game losing into Saturday's contest in Mobile, AL.

Despite South Alabama's recent struggles, the Owls, losers of five in a row, still respect their opponent. FAU offensive coordinator Brian Wright believes the Jaguars are going to be just as motivated as his team to get the victory.

"They're hungry," Wright said. "They only have one win as well and they're going to be just as hungry to get a win."

The Owls are coming off a sloppy 35-14 loss to ULM. FAU committed 11 penalties in the defeat, something which the coaching staff was displeased with. Wright knows the miscues need to be cut down, explaining his unit needs to focus and execute better. 

"We were making mistakes," Wright said. "We were stopping ourselves on a few of our drives."

The Jaguars allow 27.3 points per game but Wright isn't taking their defense lightly. South Alabama held No.23 Mississippi State scoreless in the first quarter of their game three weeks ago.

"Defensively they play hard," Wright said. "They're physical and I think they're a talented group."

However, Wright is treating this week's match-up the same way he has for the first six weeks of the season.

"Just like any defense any week," Wright said. "You have to schematically design the plays that you think are going to give you the best chance of succeeding."

For more Owls news, check out Owl Access and the Sun-Sentinel.

FAU plays at South Alabama on Saturday Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m.






Thursday, October 11, 2012

Pelini, players ready for prime time match with ULM

FAU is 0-2 in Sun Belt play this season. The Owls have lost 12 straight conference games. 
Photo courtesy of Char Pratt.

By Rolando Rosa

After not playing since Sept. 29, break time is over for the Owls.

FAU returns to action this Saturday on the road against ULM hoping to snap their four-game losing streak. Even though the War Hawks (3-2 overall, 1-0 in conference play) knocked off then-No.8 Arkansas in their season opener and are getting props from the national media (ESPNU in particular, which aired an All-Access episode on the team this week), the Owls head into Malone Stadium with confidence. 

"ULM is a great team," Owls running back Damian Fortner said. "They play great team football but we pretty much focus on what we have to do."

They'll have to do a lot to overcome the Sun Belt's top offense and No. 2 defense. In practice this week, coach Carl Pelini stressed to his squad the importance of increasing their effort level and paying attention to every detail. 

"He just wanted us to pick up the intensity and enthusiasm," Fortner said. "Just make sure that we focus on our fundamentals and the little things that we have to take care of."

The stagnant Owls offense may receive a boost, as wide receiver Deandre Richardson, out since the spring with an ankle injury, could see time this week according to the Sun-Sentinel. Richardson led the Owls last season with 32 catches. 

The biggest challenge for the Owls will be matching up defensively against Kolton Browning, a quarterback Pelini compares to Robert Griffin III. In last year's game against FAU, Browning's offense registered 424 total yards.

 "There is so much balance. Being able to run and being able to throw," Pelini said to Owl Access of Browning's dual threat ability. "You don't see him make many bad plays with the ball."

Unfortunately so far for the Owls and their fans this season, the same can't be said for their team.

FAU plays at ULM on Saturday Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.








Tuesday, October 9, 2012

ESPN: ULM ''One of the stories of the year"; meanwhile, FAU having nightmare season

FAU was shutout 26-0 by ULM in the season finale last year. It was the final game of coach Howard Schnellenberger's career. 
Photo courtesy of Christine Capozziello

By: Rolando Rosa

The last time FAU faced ULM, the War Hawks humiliated the Owls 26-0. To make matters worse, that Dec. 3 contest was the last game for former Owls head coach Howard Schnellenberger. 

I'm sure FAU would love to get revenge, but it won't be easy this Saturday at Malone Stadium. The Owls are 20-point underdogs according to Owl Access and that's with good reason.

The War Hawks are national media darlings after knocking off No.8 Arkansas in their opener, followed by close losses to Auburn and Baylor. Satellite channel ESPNU had an in-depth 30 minute feature on the team this Tuesday. The network swooped in once they realized the Sun Belt squad had America's attention.

"I think they become one of the stories of the year, knocking off Arkansas and taking Auburn to overtime then almost beating Baylor," Dan Margulis, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions said to The News Star. "I think they captured the hearts of a lot of people so we thought this would be cool to cover."

The War Hawks lead the Sun Belt in scoring (39.6) and total offense (514.6)

FAU meanwhile is not made-for-TV, struggling with a 1-4 record and averaging just 13 points per game. The Owls are on a four-game losing streak and its only victory was by four points at home against Division I-AA Wagner. Owls head coach Carl Pelini understands the various problems the potent War Hawks offense pose. 

"They're just very efficient, they know their offense," Pelini said to the Palm Beach Post. "They'll spread you out and create match up problems. Their offense is really built in a way that, if you take away one thing they always have a counter move. It's a very well devised scheme."

FAU plays at ULM on Saturday Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.









Thursday, October 4, 2012

Bye week blues: FAU enters the break on a four-game losing streak

Owls quarterback Graham Wilbert is intercepted in the end zone during the first half of the 20-14 loss to North Texas.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Murphy.

By: Rolando Rosa

Headed into the bye week, FAU already has as many wins (1) as it did all of last season. That's the optimist's view. A pessimist could still point out a number of flaws the Owls are exhibiting almost halfway through the season. Five games in, here's five positives and negatives about FAU football: 

Positives:
  • There's already a win on the board through five games. Last season, FAU didn't pick up a victory until the second-to-last game of the season.
  • FAU scored three touchdowns on top ten competition. Last season FAU scored six points total against Florida and Michigan State.
  • Freshman walk-on punter Sean Kelly has dazzled, booting kicks at a 42.2 average, with a high of 55. Kelly has athleticism too, as multiple times this season he's adjusted to handle botched snaps.
  • Graham Wilbert already has five touchdowns this season after only seven all of last year. Wilbert is completing 64.8 percent of his passes, after 52.4 last year
  • Sophomore wide receiver William Dukes leads the team with 18 catches for 224 yards. Dukes has big play ability, hauling in multiple catches of over 30 yards.
Negatives:
  • The lone win was by four points at home against Division 1-AA Wagner. FAU failed to capture winnable conference games against Middle Tennessee and North Texas.
  • FAU has fumbled 11 times, losing eight of them. Running backs coach Kerry Dixon says he emphasizes ball protection in practice but it's not translating to game days. 
  • The Owls punt and kickoff returns are horrible. On punt returns, FAU is averaging an incomprehensible -0.6 yards. Kickoff returns aren't that much better at 21.2 yards.
  •  The secondary is constantly getting burned, allowing 17.8 yards per catch to opponents. In last week's loss, North Texas scored on a 68-yard passing touchdown.
  • Slow starts are the biggest reason for the 1-4 record. The Owls offense has more points in the fourth quarter (41) than the other three quarters combined (24). 
For more Owls news, check out The Daily Hoot and Owl Access

FAU returns to action on Saturday Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. against ULM