FAU RB Jonathan Wallace runs wild in Owls Spring Game
By Marcus Nelson
FAU running back Jonathan Wallace certainly made a name for himself during the Owls' Spring Game on Saturday.
Of course it wasn't a total surprise to our loyal Owl Access readers since we told you about Wallace's potential more than a week ago. On Saturday he came through with a three-touchdown performance that has to make the FAU coaching staff a bit more comfortable with their stable of backs.
Wallace, a junior college transfer, said he was just happy to get the chance. He's likely to get many more.
“You have to have dreams, beautiful dreams,” said Wallace, who officially had 104 yards rushing. “This is what you live for – the opportunity to go out and play football on the Division I level.”
Wallace received more action this spring due to an ankle injury to Xavier Stinson, who was thought to be the starting running back, but may have to fight for his job in August with Wallace on the scene.
Wallace is listed at 6-0, 198 pounds and spent last season playing on the scout team, but in the spring game he did what good players do – he took advantage of the best opportunity to show the coaching staff what he can do.
His yardage may be tainted however. His 69-yard touchdown run came on a play where he appeared down but no whistle had blown. This photo by our friend Ralph Landau, who was shooting photos and video for Owl Access, shows Wallace's knee was on the ground (even the referees on the field admitted the play should have been blown dead after they were shown the image).
No matter, Wallace (who, of course, said he wasn't down) still deserves credit for the run because he kept going while the defense stopped,.
“I kept my stiff arm on the ground and the ref didn't blow the whistle so I'm still running,” Wallace said. “Coach always says play through the whistle. It's just one of those plays, you can't plan it.”
Wallace is a gamer – and it's going to be fun watching him develop this fall.