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FAU finally gets to the ‘easier’ part of their non-conference schedule this week, facing FCS foe Bethune-Cookman University out of Daytona.
Bethune-Cookman, 0-1 this year against FBS teams, should be FAU’s first win of the season. The Wildcats lost 41-13 to Miami on Sept. 2. The final score is deceptive. Bethune-Cookman played Miami well considering the Hurricanes were ranked inside the Top 20 at that time.
A positive for the FAU will be that Bethune Cookman is not a powerhouse running team like Wisconsin and Navy, the Owls’ last two opponents. They will try to air it out. The Owls did a respectable job against Wisconsin defending the passing game, only allowing 207 yards in the air.
THE FILE: FAU vs. Bethune-Cookman
THE SERIES: FAU leads 2-1
LAST MEETING: FAU 32, B-CU 24 (2003)
BETHUNE-COOKMAN’s OFFENSE: The Wildcats run the spread option, an offense a little more familiar to FAU. This allows the quarterback to have the option of handing off the ball to the running back or taking it himself on run plays. This will also cause a bunch of play action passes since the quarterback has the read already. Look for them to try to spread the ball against FAU. Quarterback Larry Brihm showed against Miami he can make plays. He’ll try to run a bit against FAU when the play is broken.
Offensive Players to Watch
- 21 Michael Jones, R-Sr., RB: Jones is their leading running back, rushing for 138 yards and a score. Look for him to get a good chunk of carries especially with FAU’s rough patches at times against the run.
- 2 Larry Brihm Jr., QB: The leader of the Wildcats offense last week against Southeastern Louisiana, Brihm threw for more than 350 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll provide the first true test of the year for FAU’s secondary.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN’S DEFENSE: The Wildcats run a generic 4-3 defense. There is the potential for a 5-man front from Bethune Cookman to stop FAU’s run game. FAU will try to spread the field with outside passes to take advantage of suspect linebacker play. Against Miami, the DBs had a hard time covering the receivers one on one. This can give guys like DeAndre McNeal and potentially John Franklin who have size and speed advantages over the defensive backs, to get loose deep.
Defensive Players to Watch
- 22 Diquan Richardson, Sr., S: Recorded 13 tackles against Miami. Look for Richardson to be like Jalen Young and find his was into plays. With FAU’s running backs likely to get to second level on Bethune-Cookman, Richardson will serve as the last line of defense.
- 93, Uriah Gilbert, Fr., DL: Had seven tackles last week against SELU including a tackle for a loss. He’s young, but at 325 pounds Gilbert is a presence on the D-Line.
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