Hall of Fame Sideline

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BOCA RATON – A bundle of energy and power once the ball is snapped, FAU linebacker Keke Leroy had to also manages his emotions while on the sideline during Saturday’s 28-13 victory over MTSU.

“I came to the sideline, I’m thinking to myself, Dang this is Ray Lewis right here,” Leroy said. “That’s my idol. It was so exciting to see him but I just couldn’t freak out. I had to be in serious game mode.”

Lewis spent much of the first half on FAU’s sideline talking with fellow NFL hall-of-famer Terrell Owens and future Hall inductee Frank Gore.

Owens and Lewis both have sons who play for the Owls. Gore’s son, Frank Jr,, is committed to FAU’s 2020 recruiting class.

“Saw the guys earlier today,” FAU coach Lane Kiffin said. “It’s awesome to have them around. Neat guys. There’s three of the best players in the history of the world – two with gold jackets and one who’s going to have one as soon as he’s done – and they’re around here hanging out. It’s pretty neat.”

Throw in former FAU quarterback Rusty Smith and former FAU running back Alfred Morris, both in town for their FAU Hall of Fame inductions, and five former NFL players roamed the Owls’ sideline.

“It was a great feeling to know that some great athletes sit on your sideline watching your game, watching you and your teammates’ game,” Leroy said. “It’s a dream come true, almost.”

The Lewis-Owens-Gore trio moved upstairs to a suite for the game’s second half. They watched Leroy tie for the Owls’ lead in tackles with eight, delivering some thumping blows throughout the contest. Leroy also blocked a PAT and scooped it, becoming only the second player in FAU history to return it to the opposite end zone for two points.

“I happened to have a pretty good game tonight, and it was in front of my idol,” Leroy said, “That felt great.”

GameBrowser: FAU (4-2, 2-0) 28, MTSU (2-4, 1-1) 13

TURNING POINT
With 3:23 left in the 3rd quarter, redshirt freshman running back Malcolm Davidson rushes for a 57 yard touchdown to make it a 22-13 game. With that run, Davidson was able to create a two score game for the Owls. The Blue Raiders were not able to connect on a field goal the following drive and Davidson’s touchdown seemed to spark better play from the Owls.

TRENDING TOPICS

• FAU recorded their first individual 100 yard performance of the season. Freshman running back Larry McCammon was the closest FAU player to getting 100 yards as he recorded 99 and a score against Ball State. The last time FAU had a 100 yard rusher was when Devin Singletary and Kerrith Whyte both ran for 100 yards against the Western Kentucky last Nov. 10.
• FAU’s offensive line held its own against the MTSU defense. The offensive line protected quarterback Chris Robison well, not allowing a sack for the first time this season. Desmond Noel started at left guard for the Owls and B.J. Etienne, formerly the starter at that position, played some right tackle.
• Defensive back Meiko Dotson added two interceptions to his season and now has four interceptions in two games. Coming into Saturday’s action, Texas Tech defensive back Douglas Coleman led the nation with five interceptions. Dotson, like Jalen Young two years ago, will join the national rankings for interceptions.
• FAU has four wins on the season and is off to its best start since beginning 2004 with five consecutive victories. FAU is now one victory from tying its win total from last year and two from being bowl eligible. The Owls have a favorable schedule for the rest of the season, and it’s hardly a stretch to consider FAU a front runner to return to the Conference USA title game.

KEY STATS
2 – FAU sacks of Asher O’Hara. Ray Ellis had one, Tim Bonner the other.

13 – Points FAU scored following the three turnovers it forced.

24 – First downs for MTSU, five more than FAU managed.

68 – Receiving yards for Harrison Bryant to lead FAU.

71 – Total amount of plays each team ran.

161 – Passing yards by the FAU offense.

203 – Total FAU rushing yards.

364– Total yards for FAU’s offense.

392 – Total yards by MTSU quarterback Asher O’Hara, 57 rushing yards to complement 335 passing yards.

-GameBrowser compiled by Matt Wilson