GAME STORY: Winning Streak
RE-TWEET REPLAY: FAU 35, UTEP 31
Every Sunday during the football season OwlAccess.com writers Chuck King, Jake Elman and Matt Wilson dissect the previous day’s FAU football game in a feature we call “Four Down Territory.” Here’s our analysis of FAU’s 35-31 victory over UTEP.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
King: That FAU got the defensive stop it needed. The Owls pulled to within three points on Buddy Howell’s record-tying TD and the subsequent two-point conversion, but in order to win FAU needed the ball back. Earlier this season in similar late-game situations offenses successfully launched long drives, chewing up the remaining time – and that’s exactly what looked like would happen when Aaron Jones ripped off a 36-yard run on the ensuing possession’s first play. But on third-and-four Jacob Douglas knifed into the backfield to get the first hit on Jones, then Trey Hendrickson cleaned it up. FAU had the ball back, and Owl fans know what happened next.
Elman: The lack of snaps for both Daniel Parr and Buddy Howell. With Parr, him only getting one drive in a close game when Driskel played flawlessly after his first quarter interception makes sense, but Howell? It’s not the reduced plays that puts him on this list – it was somewhat predictable with how electric Devin Singletary has been lately – but only four carries? Look for Howell to get some more plays next week as FAU coach Charlie Partridge and offensive coordinator Travis Trickett try to really play around with the dual running back offense.
Wilson: Jason Driskel’s performance. His poise at the end of the game to get FAU down the field for the game-winning touchdown was not what we have seen much out of him this year. He showed why he should be the starter at FAU. Other than completing 80 percent of his passes, Driskel’s stats were not super impressive but on the last drive they were. He was 7-8 for 68 yards passing and 13 rushing yards on the ground totaling 81 of FAU 96 yards on that last drive.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
King: Watching Trey Hendrickson play churn throughout a tumultuous season has been a joy. Hendrickson recorded his ninth sack of the season on Saturday and his aforementioned play on third down in the closing moments gave FAU a chance to win. “Just seeing everybody’s faces light up, the crowd light up is overdue,” said Hendrickson, discussing his feelings after Ocie Rose made the game-clinching interception. “It’s what I’ve been playing for.”
Elman: Motor Singletary, take your prize. His electricity and him already being one of the best recruits from the Partridge era applies here, but there’s also this: Devin Singletary is doing all of this behind a makeshift offensive line. When everyone’s healthy next year, Motor may be able to put up numbers you’d see from a Barry Sanders or a Bo Jackson. ‘
Wilson: Singletary once again showed that FAU has a bunch of young talent in the run game, rushing for 145 yard and two scores. He was the lead ball carrier for FAU today having 20 carries. The next closest in carries was Jason Driskel with nine. Motor also played a key role for FAU on the final drive, catching a two-yard pass that ended having a facemask called, bringing FAU to UTEP’s 35. He totaled 14 yards receiving today. In FAU’s last two games Singletary has rushed for 397 yards and five touchdowns.
CONTROVERSIAL CALL
King: Two plays prior to the game-winning score, Kalib Woods made a diving catch along the sideline that set FAU up inside the 10. On the play, the sideline official positioned near the goal line tossed his hat, signifying that Woods had been out of bounds. Had he gone out of bounds on his own, the catch would be negated. The goal line official discussed the play with the sideline official positioned near the line of scrimmage and determined that Woods was forced out of bounds by a UTEP defender – an interpretation that appeared generous, and one that allowed the catch to stand. Hey, it’s about time FAU received a break from an officiating crew.
Elman: Back to the Parr and Howell decisions here, but honorable mention goes to the Jalen Young ejection in the second quarter. Officially, the call was that Young was targeting UTEP quarterback Ryan Metz in the head as the latter slid after a two yard gain. It was a close call that honestly could have gone either way, but the call does demand an instant ejection.
Wilson: Bringing Parr off the bench after Driskel threw an interception. Driskel stared off the game with an opening drive touchdown. The next drive he throws an interception and Parr, scheduled to enter the game for the Owls’ third possession, comes in the game for the next drive. It was too early to take Driskel out of the game. He led his team down the field to score on the first drive. When Parr came in he threw an easy interception, which led to a UTEP touchdown that put the Miners up 14-7. Keeping Driskel in the game would have left the offense intact and the Owls might not have been trailing early.
EXTRA POINT
King: The game-winning touchdown catch by Terry made him the seventh FAU player to catch a touchdown this season. No player has caught two. Think about that. Seven players are tied for the FAU team lead in touchdowns with one each. That’s a stat that more indicative of a 1970s wishbone offense team, not a modern spread offense. Incidentally, frequent starter Kamrin Solomon isn’t among the seven who’ve found the end zone.
Elman: When this FAU team does the little things right – properly tackling, making adjustments on offense, not committing penalties – they’re a dangerous team in Conference USA. The past two weeks are not an immediate indicator of the future, nor are they a guarantee that the Owls will win their final two games to finish 5-7, but keep an eye on the little things when watching them play. It’s everything from not letting emotions get the best of them when something goes wrong to going for the simple, more efficient play instead of trying for a highlight. There’s no way the Owls defeat UTEP if they don’t execute on the little things.
Wilson: The Owls are playing how most people expected the beginning of the season to start. They are looking to improve from 3-9 last year but have some of their toughest opponents left on their schedule. Next week they play for their final home game ODU, which is 7-3 on the year, in second pace behind WKU in C-USA East. This would be a great win for FAU because it would bust ODU’s chances of playing in the conference title game and would allow FAU to surpass its win total from the last two seasons. After ODU FAU gets MTSU in Murfreesoro, which has had FAU’s number since they were foes in the Sun Belt. MTSU is 6-4 on the year and in third place in C-USA East standings. That game could be a shootout like it was two years ago when MTSU came back from behind to beat FAU.
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