Boca Raton, Fla. | The Florida Atlantic Owls (1-3, 0-0 AAC) opened its conference schedule against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-2, 1-0 AAC). It’s Owl Family Weekend at FAU, so the Owls started hot, rallying behind the support of students, parents, and alumni. 5th-year Jr. QB Daniel “Doc” Richardson made his second start for FAU today after filling in for an injured QB Casey Thompson, who unfortunately tore his ACL a couple of weeks ago in a 48-14 loss at Clemson.
Tulsa is coming off a 48-26 home victory last week against Temple, so the Golden Hurricane looks to earn back-to-back wins against the Owls.
Tulsa got off to a decent start, gashing the Owls’ defense with off-tackle and inside zone runs by RBs Anthony Watkins and Tahj Gary, but the young QB, Cardell Williams (R-Fr.), got off to a rocky start, going 0-4 with an INT caught by CB Jayden Williams (R-So.) (1st of his career).
OC Charlie Frye displayed confidence in his backup QB Richardson, calling a deep shot post on the first play from scrimmage that was ultimately a nice PBU by DB Jaise Oliver. Richardson was a two-year starter at Central Michigan, not to mention he started on varsity at Miami Booker T. Washington HS as a 9th grader, so despite being a backup, Richardson brings veteran experience and leadership to this offense.
Richardson led an efficient opening drive: he scampered up the middle for 18 yards, threw a dot to WR LaJohntay Wester for 40 yards, hit TE Kahlil Brantley to set the Owls up inside the 5-yard line, and RB Larry McCammon finished with a power run out of a Lombardi-esque formation to put FAU up 7-0 early on.
Tulsa’s Williams shook off the rust in his second drive with a pair of quick completions to WRs Kamdyn Benjamin and Braylin Presley, but after a BIG 3rd down run stuff, the Golden Hurricane opted for a fake punt near midfield (with under a yard to gain) that was botched as the upback DL Ben Kopenski mishandled the snap and FAU DE Marlon Bradley stopped him to force a turnover-on-downs.
On the ensuing drive, Richardson hit Wester again for 9 yards, and on 3rd & 7, a defensive holding penalty by DB Tyree Carlisle extended the Owls’ drive. Richardson hit Wester again via a jet sweep touch pass that went for 11 yards to set them up in the redzone. Richardson hit WR BJ Alexander for 6, and McCammon rushed it in from 10 yards out to score his 2nd TD of the game, putting FAU up 14-0 in the 1st quarter.
Tulsa’s offense stalled, and McCammon got right back into it with a 14-yard burst up the middle. Richardson converted a clutch 3rd down with a pass to TE Zeke Moore, but Tulsa’s Oliver stepped up for back-to-back tackles in the flat to force a punt: first on an outside run from McCammon, and then on a blown-up tunnel screen to Wester.
Starting from their own 10-yard line, Williams & Co. finally sustained an impressive drive. Williams converted on 3rd down with a 22-yard strike to Benjamin. On the following 3rd & 10, Williams connected with Presley for 18 yards. FAU DL Latrell Jean made a big time TFL on the ensuing 2nd down, but Williams delivered again on 3rd & Long, this time hitting WR Carl Chester on a deep crosser for 23 yards. Williams capped off the drive with a 7-yard TD rush off a QB sweep to make it 14-7. 12 plays, 90 yards, 4:30 min. BIG TIME DRIVE FOR A FIRST-YEAR STARTING QB.
The Owls responded quickly with a 20-yard run by RB Kobe Lewis, and Richardson followed with a perfect pass on a wheel route to Wester that gained 11. On 4th & Inches, Lewis appeared to be at an impasse, but made a great second effort to secure the first down. Richardson then sprinted out to his left and delivered an accurate ball on a speed out to Wester, but Wester bobbled it and Tulsa’s Oliver plucked it out of the air and made a tremendous athletic play keeping his feet in bounds for the INT. A big drive killer for FAU who was marching inside the redzone.
The Owls bounced back with a few run stuffs by LB Jaylen Wester and DT Jacob Merrifield, and Tulsa’s Williams escaped pressure and delivered a strike to Presley on 3rd & 8, but he couldn’t hold on, forcing a 3-and-out.
Wester immediately made up for his drop by exploding through the eye of the Golden Hurricane with a 34-yard punt return. Following a defensive holding penalty on 1st down, Richardson hit McCammon for 9 yards to get inside the Tulsa 10-yard line. FAU settled for a K/P Logan Lupo 21-yard FG to stretch their lead to 17-7 at halftime.
At the start of the 2nd half, the rain started coming down hard at Howard Schnellenberger Field. The Owls remained aggressive, however, with Richardson taking another deep shot to Wester that didn’t connect, and on 3rd & 2, McCammon was stopped at the LOS by FS Kendarin Ray to force a punt.
Tulsa responded with a quick hitter to Presley for 16 yards, Gary added a 7-yard run, and just as the Golden Hurricane gained some momentum, Williams airmailed a corner route that fell into the waiting hands of FAU DB Jarron Morris to set the Owls up on their own 9-yard line.
After an FAU 3-and-out, Tulsa’s Watkins burst through the middle for 20-yard rush, hurdling a man in the process, and Williams rushed left for a 14-yard gain. Williams then showcased some more athleticism and escapability by scrambling away from multiple Owls, but was absolutely hammered by NT Evan Anderson and DE Courtney McBride for a HUGE sack. K Chase Meyer knocked a 36-yard FG through to make it 17-10.
With the 3rd quarter winding down, FAU’s Lewis broke away for a 60-yard rush, the longest of his career, which earned him his career-high in rushing yards in a game. At the start of the 4th, Richardson hit Wester again, this time for 19 yards, to get inside the Tulsa 15-yard line, and Lupo chipped a 27-yard FG to make it a two-possession game, 20-10.
Tulsa made a QB change in the 4th, going with Braylon Braxton (R-So.) who led the Golden Hurricane offense to a 7-play, 80-yard drive in just under 3 minutes. With 5 minutes left on the clock, Braxton tossed a 20-yard dime to TE Luke McGary for a TD, putting the score at 20-17 FAU.
On the ensuing kickoff, the few remaining Owls fans (because of the rain) breathed a sigh of relief when WR Je’Quan Burton appeared to fumble but was ruled down. Tulsa forced a quick 3-and-out, highlighted by a Kopenski sack on Richardson on 3rd & 9, but Lupo punted an absolute 71-yard BOMB to pin Tulsa inside their own 6-yard line.
Still, the Golden Hurricane has a golden opportunity to take their first lead of the game and secure the dub. On 4th & 11, when hope seemed bleak, Braxton slung a pass to Benjamin for 16 yards and a must-have 1st down to extend the drive. Braxton continued to shine in crunch time, lacing a seam pass to WR Malachai Jones for 29 yards. With 1:12 remaining, facing a 4th & 8, Braxton was AMBUSHED by LB Jackson Ambush to ice it for FAU.
FINAL SCORE: FAU Owls beat Tulsa Golden Hurricane 20-17
GAME TAKEAWAYS:
FAU: The Owls’ “thunder & lightning” rushing attack was solid today. McCammon accomplished his 6th career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 130 yards off 26 attempts and 2 TDs. Lewis provided a spark with 87 yards off a mere 6 carries (14.5 YPC). Richardson played a solid game, finishing 18-28 for 144 yards and an INT (100.3 passer rating). This is an extremely solid bounce-back win for FAU, especially as they start playing their conference opponents. Richardson should continue to get more comfortable and gain more trust from his play-caller. He already showed a great connection with Wester, who almost had another 100-yard receiving day (9 catches, 98 yards). Speaking of Wester, 52 of his receiving yards were YAC – an electric playmaker with the ball in his hands in the open field.
TULSA: Outside of his impressive 90-yard TD drive, Williams struggled tonight (as evidenced by his 4th quarter benching). Williams finished 10-20 for 115 yards and 2 INTs. Braxton, on the other hand, outperformed his stats, going 3-8 for 67 yards and a TD (there were a few drops on that last drive, but Braxton’s poise gave Tulsa a chance until the end despite never holding a lead in this ballgame).
FAU improves to 2-3, (1-0 AAC) while Tulsa falls to 3-3, (1-1 AAC). The Owls have an intrastate test next week on the road at Raymond James Stadium against the South Florida Bulls.
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