We’re entering the second week of our FAU Number of the Beast series and for the next couple days we’ll be probing the trenches. 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 51-60.
51. Quentin Swain, LB, 2002-03. Transfer from West Virginia led FAU in tackles in 2003 with 104. Credited with 160 tackles across his two-year career. Also forced seven fumbles – third most all time for FAU. As for other No. 51s, Nick Seta later became an FAU graduate assistant coach. Erik Hansen completed his FAU career as a cheerleader.
52. Joe Walker, LB, 2000-04. Recorded 93 tackles for the early Owls, including 6.5 for loss. The 33 tackles Walker was credited with in the program’s first year were a single season career-high for him. He had four tackles vs. MTSU in 2003 – the Owls’ first ever victory over an FBS program. Offensive linemen Nello Faulk and Chris Newbold are close here.
53. Sam McRoy, OL, 2007-11. A two-year starter while at FAU, McRoy played both tackle and center during his career. He was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection as a senior. If current Owl Jakobi Smith can crack the starting lineup this season, he may be able to give McRoy a run at this spot.
54. Michael Hancock, DE, 2004-08. Hancock’s six sacks in 2008 is tied for the fourth-most in a season by an FAU player. Totaled eight sacks during his career among his 58 total tackles. Current redshirt junior Ray Ellis, who now wears No. 11, recorded 14 tackles was a freshman wearing 54. He’s certainly a threat to displace Hancock here. As a long snapper, Tim Raber recorded 21 tackles over his career. That’s an enormous number for a guy who’s only on the field for a handful of plays each game.
55. Joe Bailey, OL, 2008-12. One of the most accomplished Owls in the classroom, Bailey displayed versatility by playing three spots along the offensive line. Dimitri Jacques, a member of those early Owls, also received consideration here.
56. Frantz Joseph, LB, 2005-08. With 346 career tackles, Joseph is the Owls’ all-time leading tackler. The 154 tackles he’s credited with in 2008 are the most ever in a single season by an FAU player. Joseph led the Sun Belt in tackles that season, and was selected to the All-Sun Belt team. The Oakland Raiders invited Joseph to their camp.
57. David Hinds, LB, 2009-12. Hinds began his career as “Hinds 57” before switching to No. 11. The 110 tackles Hinds made in 2011 places him inside the top ten for tackles in a season. He averaged 9.2 tackles that season, second most in the Sun Belt. His 16 tackles against Arkansas St. in 2011 is tied for the third most in a single game in FAU history. After his FAU career, Hinds briefly signed with the Miami Dolphins and played three seasons with Ottawa of the CFL.
58. Reggie Bain, LT, 2014-16. Easily the most difficult decision among the 50s. The wisdom and physical tools of center Mustafa Johnson, now an assistant coach at Riverside City College, stabilized an offensive line in need of immediate help. But Bain a 247Sports.com freshman All-American, was a second-team All-Conference USA player as a sophomore. Bain missed all of last season while recovering from a broken hip suffered in a motor scooter accident, but reclaimed his starting spot during spring drills and still has two years of eligibility remaining. Defensive tackle Dino Cox recorded 66 tackles, 13.5 for loss, during a career that concluded in 2010.
59. Shomari Earls, LB, 2002-05. Earls’ 217 career tackles included 87 in 2005, which led the Owls. In his career Earls notched 20.5 tackles for loss. Earls also intercepted two passes in 2005. Following his FAU career, Earls tried his hand at arena football. He’s the pick over defensive lineman Robinson Eugene.
60. Kenneth Campos, OL, 2000-03. Became a starter late in the 2001 season. A former walk-on who earned a scholarship after the 2001 season. Campos was a key member of that 2003 team that advanced to the FCS semifinals and is the only viable candidate at No. 60.
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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