Nation coach Howard Schnellenberger, right, greets Texas coach Gene Stallings after the Nation defeated Texas 27-24 in last year’s Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game.
National stage
The Nation team in Saturday’s Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game will again have a distinct FAU look to it. Howard Schnellenberger will be coaching FAU quarterback Rusty Smith and tight end Jason Harmon in the game, and both have performed well at practice this week.
Originally published on 2/5/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger grew excited when talking about watching something he hasn’t witnessed in quite some time.
This week’s practices for Saturday’s Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game have featured quite a few connections between Owls quarterback Rusty Smith and tight end Jason Harmon – a combination that he hasn’t seen since October.
“They both have earned the right to be here,” Schnellenberger said from El Paso, Texas in a phone interview with FAUOwlAccess Friday. “It’s their last outing together and they both are doing quite well.”
Smith hasn’t practiced since injuring his non-throwing shoulder in the Owls’ loss to Middle Tennessee on Oct. 31, but Schnellenberger said Smith has made a great deal of progress and Smith’s stamina is the only issue this week.
“He hasn’t been hit on it and it hasn’t hampered his throws,” Schnellenberger said. “He’s made a lot of throws and if anything he may be a little tired because he hasn’t thrown this many passes in a while. He’s on top of it and this is his offense, so he should be a little bit ahead.”
Harmon has also had a good week of practices under the watchful eye of NFL scouts who have been watching the teams prepare for Saturday’s Texas vs. the Nation game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. and can be seen on CBS College Sports.
“Harmon has probably caught more balls than any one else including some of his patented-one hand catches,” Schnellenberger said.
Harmon thinks he has had a good week of practice in front of the scouts.
“I think I’ve been doing well,” said Harmon, who led FAU with 649 yards on 48 catches this season. “I’ve made lots of catches, a lot for first downs and I think I’ve showed then I can block, too."
This is Schnellenberger’s second year to coach in the game. He led the Nation to a 27-24 victory last season in a game that saw former FAU linebacker Frantz Joseph win defensive MVP honors.
Schnellenberger’s coaching staff also has an FAU feel with former Owls assistant coach and current radio color analyst on the FAU Radio Network Fred O’Connor and John Bock, also a former FAU assistant, on Schnellenberger’s staff this week.
“Practices have been outstanding all week,” Schnellenberger said. “We’ve got about 75 kids on the team and they have been professional about it.”