Schnellenberger in the 4th quarter once again sat on the ball in the 4th quarter in a somewhat manageable score. Similar to last year against Michigan State Florida Atlantic University sat on the ball late in the 4th quarter against Auburn. Granted the game may have been out of reach, but on the final 2 drives of the game in a two score game FAU brought in back up QB David Kooi and ran out the clock.
This was overshadowed by a mostly positive performace by FAU, but once again Schnellenberger quit on the game in the 4th quarter. This is one of the reasons FAU should be happy this is his last year on the sidelines at FAU. In the future FAU should demand to play the game till the end and not give up in the 4th quarter.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Hope?
Florida Atlantic University football took on the defending national champion's Auburn University this past Saturday. This was the best performance by the Owls this year and were competetive throughout the game.
The Owls proved on the first play of the game that they could play with Auburn with Cory Henry intercepting Barrett Trotter's pass on the first play from scrimmage of the game. This put the Owls in postions to take an early lead. The Owls defense fought tough all game with Auburn's offense by putting Trotter under a lot of duress in the pocket.
The offense had their best performance of the year against Auburn's young defense. They had over 300 yards of total offense and were very balanced in the run and passing games. It was the first game all year Alfred Morris was able to find holes and had 85 yards of rushing. Wilbert had his struggles in underthrowing a couple of passes that turned into interceptions, but he also gave the best performance of the year. The approved unit of the game was the offense line they opened many lanes for the running backs and Wilbert had time in the pocket for the first time this year. But of course the most important part is FAU scored it's first touchdown of the season on a screen pass to the shoeless Alfred Morris.
If FAU does not turn the ball over twice early in the second half they have a chance to win this game in the 4th quarter. Nonetheless this game gives FAU hope going into Sun Belt play. All three facets of the game showed promise against a much faster and bigger Auburn team. If FAU can build off of what they did well against Auburn they will have a shot against Louisiana Lafayette who upset FIU over the weekend. The next two weeks will be extremely important games not only to get off to a good start in the Sun Belt, but to avoid opening the brand new football stadium at 0-5.
The Owls proved on the first play of the game that they could play with Auburn with Cory Henry intercepting Barrett Trotter's pass on the first play from scrimmage of the game. This put the Owls in postions to take an early lead. The Owls defense fought tough all game with Auburn's offense by putting Trotter under a lot of duress in the pocket.
The offense had their best performance of the year against Auburn's young defense. They had over 300 yards of total offense and were very balanced in the run and passing games. It was the first game all year Alfred Morris was able to find holes and had 85 yards of rushing. Wilbert had his struggles in underthrowing a couple of passes that turned into interceptions, but he also gave the best performance of the year. The approved unit of the game was the offense line they opened many lanes for the running backs and Wilbert had time in the pocket for the first time this year. But of course the most important part is FAU scored it's first touchdown of the season on a screen pass to the shoeless Alfred Morris.
If FAU does not turn the ball over twice early in the second half they have a chance to win this game in the 4th quarter. Nonetheless this game gives FAU hope going into Sun Belt play. All three facets of the game showed promise against a much faster and bigger Auburn team. If FAU can build off of what they did well against Auburn they will have a shot against Louisiana Lafayette who upset FIU over the weekend. The next two weeks will be extremely important games not only to get off to a good start in the Sun Belt, but to avoid opening the brand new football stadium at 0-5.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Other Guys
Meri Mercifully FAU has a bye week this upcoming week until we travel to the defending national champion Auburn. I wanted to look at the in state matchup that will fly under the radar this week with UCF and FIU. Similar to FAU these three schools make up the only 3 non-automatic qualifiers for the BCS. We will be comparing how the first two weeks went for these teams compared to FAU.
Last week all three teams play a team for an AQ conference respectively. UCF dominated a game against Boston College and FIU jumped out early to a big lead and held on to beat Louisville. We of course know the story of what happened to FAU against Michigan St. FIU and UCF will faceoff down in Miami come off of all time big wins for the programs. While these two teams were pulling upsets this past weekend we watch FAU put up one first down and 48 total yards offense against Michigan St.
UCF is averaging in their first two games 46.5 points per game and FIU is right behind them at 32.5. You can compare that two FAU’s 1.5 points per game. FAU also stands 120 in passing and rushing yards.
Looking at these numbers is quite astonishing when you consider these programs are all very similar in many ways. Even with FAU moving into their new stadium in just over a month you have to ask the question are UCF and FIU leaving us in their dust. If you are wondering how has this happened when just a few years ago FAU went to back to back bowl games while FIU and UCF were sitting at home? FAU didn’t build off that success and struggled mightily to recruit while the other two programs were flourishing in that aspect.
The final question you want ask yourself is their hope for FAU? Possibly. There is a good chance FAU will bring in a big name coach who can recruit. Also FIU and UCF were able to recruit much better athletes when they moved into their respective stadiums. If FAU can pull the same model you might be able to see FAU make jump like these two programs have in the past couple of years.
Last week all three teams play a team for an AQ conference respectively. UCF dominated a game against Boston College and FIU jumped out early to a big lead and held on to beat Louisville. We of course know the story of what happened to FAU against Michigan St. FIU and UCF will faceoff down in Miami come off of all time big wins for the programs. While these two teams were pulling upsets this past weekend we watch FAU put up one first down and 48 total yards offense against Michigan St.
UCF is averaging in their first two games 46.5 points per game and FIU is right behind them at 32.5. You can compare that two FAU’s 1.5 points per game. FAU also stands 120 in passing and rushing yards.
Looking at these numbers is quite astonishing when you consider these programs are all very similar in many ways. Even with FAU moving into their new stadium in just over a month you have to ask the question are UCF and FIU leaving us in their dust. If you are wondering how has this happened when just a few years ago FAU went to back to back bowl games while FIU and UCF were sitting at home? FAU didn’t build off that success and struggled mightily to recruit while the other two programs were flourishing in that aspect.
The final question you want ask yourself is their hope for FAU? Possibly. There is a good chance FAU will bring in a big name coach who can recruit. Also FIU and UCF were able to recruit much better athletes when they moved into their respective stadiums. If FAU can pull the same model you might be able to see FAU make jump like these two programs have in the past couple of years.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Just when you Thought it Couldn't get Worst
FAU played once again Saturday against Michigan St. and the few positives you could take out of the Florida that could not be said today. FAU only managed one first down the whole game. FAU has always struggled to win these early season advanced training games, but we have never seen them struggle like this before. Just in recent years in last years game again MSU being in the game till the final snap, in 2009 only losing by one to the Gamecocks.
FAU had so many comedy of errors during this game that they alone could fill ESPN's Not Top 10 Plays. This was to many a very sad day in FAU history, because in no memory have we ever seen an FAU football team get this outplayed. David Kooi and Graham Wilbert were a combined 6-13 for 26 yards and Alfred Morris again couldn't get anything going.
As disappointing this season has been should it be surprising? The offense did not average 20 points per game last year and it lost its three biggest playmakers from that team. Also it should be noted it is not surprising FAU is 0-2 after the first two games, but in the total non-competitiveness of these games.
With FIU upsetting Louisville this past Friday night this makes the start of the season hurt that much more for Owl Nation. In just two years when many would say FAU Football was light years ahead of FIU that has all changed now. This might be the last year of this coaching staff, but its clear it will take a lot of changes to get this program going back in the right direction once again. Luckily FAU gets a bye week next week and then travels to Auburn in two weeks.
FAU had so many comedy of errors during this game that they alone could fill ESPN's Not Top 10 Plays. This was to many a very sad day in FAU history, because in no memory have we ever seen an FAU football team get this outplayed. David Kooi and Graham Wilbert were a combined 6-13 for 26 yards and Alfred Morris again couldn't get anything going.
As disappointing this season has been should it be surprising? The offense did not average 20 points per game last year and it lost its three biggest playmakers from that team. Also it should be noted it is not surprising FAU is 0-2 after the first two games, but in the total non-competitiveness of these games.
With FIU upsetting Louisville this past Friday night this makes the start of the season hurt that much more for Owl Nation. In just two years when many would say FAU Football was light years ahead of FIU that has all changed now. This might be the last year of this coaching staff, but its clear it will take a lot of changes to get this program going back in the right direction once again. Luckily FAU gets a bye week next week and then travels to Auburn in two weeks.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
FAU First Impressions
Florida Atlantic took their expected first loss of the season against the Gators this past Saturday night. They lost 41-3 and there were very little positives to take out of the game against the Gators.
The little positives there were in the game let's start with those. FAU debuted the 3-4 defense against the Gators and looked solid at times causing three interceptions. This could give FAU some hope that the new scheme will be able to disrupt opposing defenses especially when FAU hits Sun Belt play. The interceptions set up the offense with short fields and during the game it was pretty clear that is exactly what our offense will need to score points this year. Another positive was the return game of Willie Floyd he was able average 26 yards a kick return and a long of 38. This could be promising for the return game how it's been extremely lackluster in previous years.
The negatives are clear and were expected. The offensive line struggled once again and looked very much like last year. Many thought the offensive line would be much improved after returning the whole line from last year. They could not create any offensive holes for Alfred Morris and we could not get our best offensive weapon going. Morris ran for only 16 yards on 14 carries. Wilbert making his first start at QB struggled much of the game and as a whole the offense does not look promising.
At first glance the offense falling below 150 yards of total offense is atrocious. As it looks right now the offense will not be able to score 20 points in a game without the defense setting them up in extremely short fields. As the defense did on two occasions, but the offense could only convert that into 3 points. Only making 1 of 2 short field goal attempts.
FAU Season started how many thought it would, but there was very little to give hope to the season. They have a second shot in another advanced training game against Michigan St. who FAU has always played a close game against. FAU needs to give fans hope during the next four games or they will continue to have trouble selling tickets.
The little positives there were in the game let's start with those. FAU debuted the 3-4 defense against the Gators and looked solid at times causing three interceptions. This could give FAU some hope that the new scheme will be able to disrupt opposing defenses especially when FAU hits Sun Belt play. The interceptions set up the offense with short fields and during the game it was pretty clear that is exactly what our offense will need to score points this year. Another positive was the return game of Willie Floyd he was able average 26 yards a kick return and a long of 38. This could be promising for the return game how it's been extremely lackluster in previous years.
The negatives are clear and were expected. The offensive line struggled once again and looked very much like last year. Many thought the offensive line would be much improved after returning the whole line from last year. They could not create any offensive holes for Alfred Morris and we could not get our best offensive weapon going. Morris ran for only 16 yards on 14 carries. Wilbert making his first start at QB struggled much of the game and as a whole the offense does not look promising.
At first glance the offense falling below 150 yards of total offense is atrocious. As it looks right now the offense will not be able to score 20 points in a game without the defense setting them up in extremely short fields. As the defense did on two occasions, but the offense could only convert that into 3 points. Only making 1 of 2 short field goal attempts.
FAU Season started how many thought it would, but there was very little to give hope to the season. They have a second shot in another advanced training game against Michigan St. who FAU has always played a close game against. FAU needs to give fans hope during the next four games or they will continue to have trouble selling tickets.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Lee Roy Selmon
Growing up in the Tampa Bay area I had the luck to meet Lee Roy Selmon on multiple occasions. This is a loss more than just losing a great football player. When you think of Tampa Bay sports its not possible to put to the forefront Lee Roy Selmon.
From the start of the franchise for the Bucs to helping USF beat Notre Dame in South Bend this past Saturday nothing none of it would be possible without him. He was an ambassador to the Tampa Bay Community, but that is just to sports. He was extremely active in the community to his last days.
From my experiences as a little boy to meeting him when I was much older I can say it was a pleasure to be able to meet him. I can only hope the Tampa Bay area can have more athletes like him. He set the bar so early for the athletes in Tampa Bay as he was the most notable of all athletes when the Bucs began.
RIP Lee Roy Selmon you will be truly missed.
From the start of the franchise for the Bucs to helping USF beat Notre Dame in South Bend this past Saturday nothing none of it would be possible without him. He was an ambassador to the Tampa Bay Community, but that is just to sports. He was extremely active in the community to his last days.
From my experiences as a little boy to meeting him when I was much older I can say it was a pleasure to be able to meet him. I can only hope the Tampa Bay area can have more athletes like him. He set the bar so early for the athletes in Tampa Bay as he was the most notable of all athletes when the Bucs began.
RIP Lee Roy Selmon you will be truly missed.
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