FAU's most telling play

By MinorLeagueDugout.

Spent the last couple of days sifting through Saturday's game tapes and one particular play jumped out at me.

On the final play of the first half FAU coaches faced what looked to be a no brainer of a decision. Trailing 35-14, the Owls faced a 4th-and-8 on the UAB 22-yard line. Normally the field goal team would have trotted out for a relatively easy attempt.

Instead, Schnellenbeger chose to go for what was essentially a 4th and 22. That the Owls converted on a Jeff Van Camp-to-Jamari Grant score pleased FAU fans. It's telling, however, that Schnellenberger chose to go for it in the first place.

He likely realized that Owls didn't have much hope of stopping UAB's offense - which they didn't. The recent special teams disasters also had to be in the back of the coach's mind.

That amounts to the Reader's Digest version of the the FAU season - the offense needs to be near perfect overcome the fatalistic play of the defense and the special teams. The Owls have scored at least 44 points in their only two victories of the season.

They've scored 20 points or more in four of their six losses. Certainly the defense or special teams could have helped produce a victory in one of those outings.

The defensive and special teams units have given little reason for faith. Maybe every series needs to be treated as though scoring a touchdown is the only worthwhile outcome.

Owl Links:

At FAUOwlAccess.com we covered Sunday's practice, gave out game balls, handed out our grades for each unit's performance in Saturday's game and recapped the Toilet Bowl.

The Palm Beach Post advises not to expect many personnel changes on defense.

The Sun-Sentinel notes that Tavoris Hill's injury is the latest defensive setback.

The Jonesboro Sun says that freshman QB Ryan Aplin inspires the Red Wolves.

Owl Cal:

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.: Exhibition basketball vs. Lynn (women's game immediately preceding)

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November 09, 2009

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