[the_ad_group id=”632″]
BOCA RATON – Facing a potential Conference USA East Division-deciding challenge next week against tri-county rival FIU, Florida Atlantic can not sleep on La. Tech.
La. Tech (4-5, 2-3) could easily be 8-1 on the season if the Bulldogs had four more drives. They lost four of their five games by a combined 10 points including three of the games being decided by a single point.
One of their losses came at South Carolina, 17-16. If it wasn’t for a last second field goal by the Gamecocks, La. Tech might be a whole new team.
La. Tech, like FAU, is doing well on the turnover side. Both teams rank in the Top 20 interceptions. FAU ranks first with 18 and La. Tech is tied for No. 16 with 12 on the season.
The File: FAU (6-3, 5-0) vs La. Tech (4-5, 2-3)
THE SERIES: First meeting
LOUISIANA TECH OFFENSE
La. Tech offense has a spread offense that distributes the ball evenly. They can make plays inside and outside as quarterback J’Mar Smith has the ability to leave the pocket and make plays outside of it. They also have a two headed running back scheme like FAU with Boston Scott and Jarred Croft, and have a dominant receiver in Teddy Veal who leads the team in receptions.
Offensive Players to Watch
- 9 Teddy Veal, R-Jr., WR: A Tulane transfer, Veal has a team-leading 56 receptions for 633 yards and three scores. He’s the fifth-leading receiver in Conference USA. He leads C-USA and is No. 21 nationally with a 6.2 yards per catch average. If FAU can shut down Veal, he will have to throw to his other receivers. His top two receivers after Veal have a combined 39 receptions for 683 yards and two touchdowns.
- 6 Boston Scott, R-Sr., RB: Scott has been an impressive running back this season. Of his team-high six touchdowns, five have come in the last three games. He leads the Bulldogs with 578 rushing yards. Like FAU’s Devin Singletary, Scott was considered undersized coming out of high school. Still, Motor has three inches on the 5-foot-6 Scott.
- 8 J’Mar Smith, R-So., QB: He has thrown for 2,128 yards and 10 scores. Running quarterbacks have given FAU troubles in the past and Smith certainly has the ability to break out of the pocket and make plays with his feet. Smith is the fifth-ranked QBs in Conference USA. FAU has already beaten the Top 4.
LOUISIANA TECH DEFENSE
La. Tech runs a base 4-3 defense that will slide into different looks throughout the game. The La. Tech defense does have some holes in it, as like FAU, it does not fare well against the run, ranking No. 89 in the nation in rush defense and No. 73 in passing yards allowed. Singletary should prove to be a true test for the Bulldogs.
Defensive Players to Watch
- 33 Dae’Von Washington, R-Jr., LB: Leads the team in tackles and is among the leaders in interceptions with 48 tackles and two picks. He will find a way to the ball every play.
- 45 Jaylon Ferguson, R-Jr., DE: Arguably the best player on defense, Ferguson leads the Bulldogs in sacks with four. He’s also an effective run stopper. And Ferguson can change games on special teams, too. He’s already blocked two kicks.
- 21, Amik Robertson, Fr., CB: The cornerback leads the team in tackles for a loss with six and is second in overall tackles with 46. He also is tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Unafraid of the big game, Robertson notched his first career pick early in the season’s second game against Mississippi St., returning it to the 2.
Leave a Reply