FAU running back Jonathan Wallace runs for yardage Saturday against South Alabama. (Photo Courtesy of Ralph Notaro/Owl Pix)
Wallace getting work
Offensive Notebook: Now that he's healthy, FAU coaches don't mind giving running back Jonathan Wallace plenty of carries.
Originally published on
10/24/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic coaches had been waiting for months for running back Jonathan Wallace to recover from a lingering hamstring injury.
It was worth the wait.
With Wallace as healthy as he has been all season, he rushed for 101 yards on 21 carries against South Alabama.
“This is the first time he's really been 100 percent ,” FAU coach Carl Pelini said. “He's very steady with the ball, is great with pass protection and he runs hard. I think that's why he's earning the carries right now. He's just a very reliable guy.”
Entering Saturday's game, Wallace had 51 carries on the season, but got the call repeatedly vs. the Jaguars – and he responded.
“I was feeling pretty good,” Wallace said. “I know my linemen were getting beat up, so I can't take pity on myself. I give all the credit to them, because without them blocking, I'm nothing really. I also have to thank the coaches for giving me the ball. If they trust me with the ball, I've got to do something or it will be on to the next man.'
feeling Wright at home: FAU offensive coordinator Brian Wright expects to continue to call plays from the sideline for the rest of the season after coming down from the coach's booth in last week's game.
Wright was on the field for the Owls' game against South Alabama last week for the first time this season and felt he could interact with players more than from up in the booth.
“I like being down there on the field with them,” Wright said. “You get the speed of the game, the emotion of the game and a direct line of communication with the players.”
Wright, in his first season at FAU, called plays from the field when he was the offensive coordinator at Montana State.
“It was more to be in my comfort zone,” Wright said. “We need leadership and some passion and emotion, so I wanted to be down there to provide some of that.”
The Owls responded with their best offensive output this season in a 37-34 double-overtime loss to the Jags/.
Pelini was pleased with the offensive performance and will likely have Wright on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
"With a young team right now, with not a lot of confidence, I think having him down there is really good for this team,” Pelini said. “Having him hands-on was good for us.”