“Nobody’s Happy”

FAU offensive coordinator Travis Trickett admitted on Wednesday what most anyone who has been watching the Owls play already knew.

The Owls’ offense isn’t very good.

“We’re not where we need to be,” Trickett said. “Nobody’s happy.”

FAU ranks No. 115 out of 128 FBS teams in total offense, averaging 339 yards per game. Only 20 teams are averaging fewer than the 22.7 points per game the Owls are posting.

And those totals come after facing FIU and Charlotte, two of the worst defenses in the nation, in consecutive weeks – both FAU losses.

“Where we want to be and where our standard is, we’re nowhere even in the close realm,” Trickett said. “Can that be frustrating? No question.”

Trickett noted that the Owls’ offensive issues have differed from week to week.

“One week you can’t run the ball, one week you can’t throw the ball,” Trickett said.

Trickett attributed many of those struggles to youth.

FAU’s offensive line in particular has been decimated by injury this season. The Owls say they are getting closer to getting injured right tackle Kelly Parfitt on the field. That would allow the Owls to play with four of the five lineman who emerged from fall camp as starters – something that hasn’t happened in any game this season. Left tackle Reggie Bain is lost for the season following hip injury incurred in a motor scooter accident.

Without naming names, Trickett said the Owls are using several players who, only a few weeks ago, weren’t ready to play Division I football.

“There’s a lot of guys that, if you would have asked me before the season what do you expect from this guy?, I would have said he’s probably not going to play, but they are playing – and I’m tickled to death about where they are heading,” Trickett said.