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.