When with the Seattle Seahawks, running back Marshawn Lynch brought to sports the term “Beast Mode,” using it to describe a state of play in which his inner beast takes over performance, leading to super-human feats on the field. To help get FAU fans through the summer doldrums while also offering a trip down memory lane, we’ve undertaken our Number of the Beast series aimed at determining the best football player to wear each number for FAU. The Beast at some numbers is easy to define. Taming the Beasts at others is more difficult than FAU fans might think. Here are numbers 31-40. Links to earlier stories are at the bottom of the page.
31. Cory Henry, DE, 2011-14. Before there was Trey Hendrickson, Henry was the man. His 16.5 career sacks were the most for any FAU player. At the time of his graduation, Henry’s 7.5 sacks in 2013 were the most any Owl compiled in a single season. Henry was an All-Conference USA selection that season. Henry was also the Shula Bowl MVP in 2013 after recording 2.5 sacks.
32. Alfred Morris, RB, 2007-11. Any conversation surrounding the best player ever to strap on the pads for FAU quickly turns to Alfred Morris – with good reason. He’s the Owls career leader in rushing yards (3,529), rushing attempts (733) and rushing TDs (27). Morris owns three of the five best single season rushing totals, including the top two. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round, Morris now carries the ball for the Dallas Cowboys, and still salutes FAU in every touchdown celebration. To many, Morris remains the face of the FAU football program.
33. Daniel Kennard, K, 2003-05. Want to show up on this list in years to come? Ask to wear No. 33. Kennard really only kicked for one season. He made 13 extra points and three of his seven field goal attempts. Running back Cary White rushed for 35 yards in 2011. Defensive end David Belvin currently wears No. 33 for the Owls. A redshirt freshman, Belvin could take over this spot with a couple of good games this year. FAU fans are pulling for you, David.
34. Keith Reaser, CB, 2009-13. Reaser began his career wearing No. 34 before switching to 3. He recorded 154 tackles and five interceptions despite having his senior year cut short by the second knee injury of his college career. Selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Reaser is now a starter for the 49ers.
35. Aaron Sanchez, FB, 2002-06. Primarily a blocker – and a good one at that – Sanchez rushed for 816 yards and nine touchdowns during his time with the Owls. Sanchez was also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, hauling in more than 50 passes during his career. He even returned kicks. Sanchez was the prototypical fullback for Howard Schnellenberger’s offense.
36. David Muniz, FB, 2006-10. Muniz primarily contributed on special teams, but he did carry the ball 19 times for 60 yards in his career and also caught three passes for 13 yards. On special teams, Muniz recorded 15 tackles and returned five kickoffs – including one for 16 yards in the New Orleans Bowl. Anthony Hamilton, the only other true candidate for this spot, did have 20 tackles in 2014 but only made 27 in his career, which ended last season.
37. Austin Jensen, S, 2007-10. A car accident that left him lying on I-95 with a fractured skull and pelvis, ultimately cut short Jensen’s career. He tallied 43 tackles over three seasons, seven of which came in the 2008 Motor City Bowl victory. Jensen returned one kickoff for 20 yards and also blocked two kicks – which ties him for third on the all-time FAU list. David Lozandier and his 29 career tackles is the runner up.
38. Mark Myers, K, 2000-04. Safety Ed Alexander is credited with 167 tackles and four interceptions at FAU, but Myers is FAU’s all-time leading scorer with 231 points. He leads all Owls with 43 field goals – a total that current kicker Greg Joseph will tie with his first make next season. Myers kicked in the CFL and even enjoyed a brief preseason stint with New York Jets in 2008.
39. Malik Eugene, LB, 2007-10. Eugene is credited with 146 tackles, 11 of which were for loss. FAU named Eugene its Defensive MVP in 2010, when he recorded 105 tackles. Eugene also had a nose for the ball. The six fumbles he recovered during his career are tied for the most in program history.
40. Troy Pindell, S, 2002-06. Pindell’s seven career interceptions aren’t enough to crack the Top 5 in FAU history, but his 142 interception return yards are fourth best. Toss in 70 tackles and Pindell gets the nod over Taurian Osborne, who has the longest fumble return for a touchdown in FAU history. For those looking for a laugh, Pindell now has a thriving YouTube Channel.
Previous Numbers
FAU Number of the Beast: 1-10
FAU Number of the Beast: 11-20
FAU Number of the Beast: 21-30
FAU Number of the Beast: 31-40
FAU Number of the Beast: 41-50
FAU Number of the Beast: 51-60
FAU Number of the Beast: 61-70
FAU Number of the Beast: 71-80
FAU Number of the Beast: 81-90
FAU Number of the Beast: 91-99
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