Bobcats Claw Owls, Ohio Beats FAU 17-10
Boca Raton, Fla. | The Florida Atlantic Owls (1-0) return to Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium for a MAC-tion packed Week 3 matchup versus the Ohio Bobcats (1-1). FAU is coming off an encouraging 42-20 home-opening victory last week against FCS Monmouth, which saw QB Casey Thompson throw for 280 yards and 5 TDs on 80% completion and RB Larry McCammon III rush for 125 yards off 13 carries (9.6 YPC). The Bobcats, on the other hand, fell to San Diego State 13-20 a couple weeks back, and squeaked out a 27-10 W last week over the recently promoted from D2 to FCS, LIU (Long Island University).
However, this Ohio team should not be underestimated – the Bobcats’ leader, QB Kurtis Rourke (little brother of former CFL starter & current Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad QB Nathan Rourke), is coming off a torn ACL at the end of last season, and was injured early in the SDSU game, logging a DNP against LIU. The reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Rourke, is back at the helm in this matchup, bringing a much-needed veteran presence in commanding the Bobcats’ no-huddle offense. While Kodak Black wasn’t in attendance today, the Owls were FLOCKIN’ to the ball, and both teams were caught up in a scuffle after the opening kickoff, which resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams.
On Ohio’s first play from scrimmage, FAU LB Jackson Ambush lived up to his surname by intercepting Rourke in his first game back from injury. On the ensuing FAU drive, Thompson appeared to connect with WR Je’Quan Burton on a quick-hitting RPO slant, but Ohio’s S Austin Brawley BURGLARIZED the football as Burton fell to the ground, resulting in back-to-back interceptions on the first two plays from scrimmage.
Rourke showcased toughness and a real “football player” ability, running through contact and diving headfirst when facing the swarming Owls defense. The Bobcats drove down the field via plays by WR Miles Cross and RBs Sieh Bangura and O’Shaan Allison, and an FAU personal foul penalty put Ohio in field goal range. Luckily for FAU, Ohio freshman K Alex Kasee missed a 44-yard FG attempt. After an uneventful Owls drive, the Bobcats decided to go for it on 4th down in FAU territory. The 4th down conversion FAILED after FS Dwight Toombs made an excellent tackle just inches short of the marker.
Neither offense could establish its rhythm across midfield, and FAU CB Darius McClendon forced a fumble and recovered it early in the 2nd quarter (1st of his career) to give Thompson and the FAU offense great field position on Ohio’s 33-yard-line.
McCammon III burst through the gut for a gashing first-down rush, but FAU couldn’t capitalize on its advantageous field position and had to settle for a K Logan Lupo (St. Thomas Aquinas) 37-yard FG to finally put points on the board.
Rourke and the ‘Cats hoped to bounce back with a methodical drive to close out the 1st half. On first down, Rourke delivered a strike to WR Tyler Walton, and another FAU facemask penalty put Ohio at the 50-yard line. Rourke then connected with TE Will Kacmarek for another quick first down, and Allison gashed through the Owls defense for a 7-yard chunk gain. Walton dropped a crucial 3rd-down pass in the flat that ricocheted right into FAU DB Jarron Morris’s hands, resulting in a 72-yard PICK SIX! (5th career INT, first since 2019 as a player at Texas State). (Must be something about the Bobcats…)
Now out to a 10-0 lead, the FAU sideline was AMPED, raising Morris up like he was crowd surfing at a bar mitzvah. Rourke and the Bobcats answered back, however, putting together a clean drive as time winded down in the half. WR Sam Wiglusz made a nice catch-and-run off a smoke screen to convert a crucial 3rd down to put Ohio inside the FAU 30-yard-line, and a questionable targeting penalty against DL Decarius Hawthorne put the ‘Cats on the FAU 13 with a minute to go.
On 3rd down, Rourke stepped up in the pocket, eluded multiple Owls pass rushers, and delivered a STRIKE to Kacmarek who absolutely BODIED his defender for a BIG BOY TD catch to make it 10-7 to close out the half (as I enjoyed the delicious Bundt cakes provided by FAU).
FAU kicked off their opening drive out the break with a Thompson toss to WR Donovan Giles for a first down. Thompson was clicking with WR LaJohntay Weston on this drive, connecting with him twice. However, that momentum was short-lived as Thompson appeared to have all day in the pocket on 2nd down, only to hold onto the ball for what seemed like an eternity, culminating in a 15-yard loss on a DE Shane Bonner sack. Rourke scrambled for a first down on a big 3rd-and-6, and he connected again with Cross, who shed an Owls defender, for another first down. Freshman TE Mason Williams made a couple of HUGE catches on this drive as well, highlighted by a 34-yard strike down the seam, which set Allison up for a tough 5-yard TD rush (his first since 2019). The Bobcats take their first lead of the game here, 14-10, two-thirds through the 3rd quarter.
The Owls offense seemed to be marching early in the 4th. Thompson connected with WR LaJohntay Wester (Jr. – Palmetto) for a nice gain, but an inopportune false start, followed by a DE Dontay Hunter II sack put FAU at 3rd-and-17. Thompson tried to make a play and telegraphed a late throw over the middle to Ohio CB Tank Pearson.
Ohio added a Kasee FG to make it 17-10, and despite a couple of FAU defensive 3-and-outs, Thompson and Co. couldn’t put together a game-tying drive.
FINAL SCORE: Ohio Bobcats beat FAU Owls 17-10
GAME TAKEAWAYS:
FAU – QB Thompson (Gr.) needs to play commensurate with his experience. He appeared calm in the pocket at times, but also took unnecessary sacks while trying to extend broken plays and . WR LaJohntay Wester (Jr. – Palmetto) immediately caught my attention as an electric playmaker with elite speed on the edge, but looked afraid to come across the middle of the field at times, slowing down and getting tackled instead of bursting through gaps of daylight and hesitating to attack the ball when hearing those LB/S footsteps. Former NFL QB and newly-hired OC Charlie Frye was stagnant and timid with his play-calling as the game progressed. The defensive line and secondary made some plays, limiting a veteran award-winning QB to only 203 passing yards. Careless penalties killed many big defensive plays, though, and allowed Ohio to extend otherwise “dead” drives.
FAU looks to bounce back next week (1-1), but has to travel to Death Valley to face Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.
Ohio – The Bobcats were clearly the better coached, and more disciplined team tonight. FAU’s homegrown talent runs circles around Ohio, but penalties and missed opportunities killed the Owls. Ohio capitalized on some of FAU’s mistakes, had a nice “thunder and lightning” rushing attack between Allison and Bangura that consistently gashed FAU for 5- to 6-yards on early downs, and Rourke’s veteran leadership kept the offense composed and organized. The Bobcats defense was also surprisingly impressive, limiting FAU to a measly 5 rushing yards (including lost yards from sacks).
Ohio improves to 2-1 with a decent team victory tonight, but also faces a tough task in Big-12 opponent, Iowa State next week.
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