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BOCA RATON – FAU is one win away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2013. Achieving bowl eligibility in Friday’s game against Marshall won’t be easy.
FAU has the second best offense in Conference USA. Marshall owns the second best defense in the conference. Both struggle on the other sides of the ball as Marshall ranks eighth in the conference for total offense. FAU ranks 10th in total defense.
At the beginning of the season FAU expected see a familiar name, Trey Rodriguez. However, the former Owl who started his career at FAU before being kicked off the team will not be playing, having left Marshall after week three.
Undefeated in C-USA play, FAU currently sits atop the conference’s East Division. To stay there the Owls will have to knock off a 6-2 Marshall team that Lane Kiffin says is the most talented they have faced thus far.
The Thundering Herd had a rough game last week in a loss to FIU that included quarterback Chase Litton throwing two second-half interceptions, with one being returned back for a touchdown. The Herd know how to protect Litton. The three sacks they’ve allowed is second fewest in the nation.
The File: FAU (5-3, 4-0) vs. Marshall (6-2, 3-1)
All Time Series: Marshall leads 4-0
Last Meeting: Marshall 27, FAU 21
INJURIES/SUSPENSIONS
Suspension Report: Marshall will be without starting guard Richard Devers for the FAU game after he was suspended indefinitely following his arrest on two counts of battery on a police officer, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and obstructing.
Injury Report:
Aaron Dopson, DL Undisclosed Questionable
Channing Hames, DL Leg Questionable
Jaylon McClain-Sapp, DB Ankle Questionable
Nyquan Harris, OL Undisclosed Questionable
Donyae Moody, LB Knee Out for Season
–compiled from DonBest.com
MARSHALL OFFENSE
The Thundering Herd, like FAU, has a two-headed beast at the running back position in Keion Davis and Tyler King. Davis is the bigger back, similar to Buddy Howell. King is the young, fresh faced back like Devin Singletary was last year. Marshall will pound the ball with Davis and King, then look to Litton to throw the ball down the field against an FAU defense whose defensive backs have been opportunistic of late. Marshall employs plenty of pre-snap motion, so the Owls will need to be patient and make quick adjustments prior to the snap.
Offensive Players to Watch:
- 14 Chase Litton, Jr., QB: The only game where Litton struggled downfield came less than a week ago at FIU. With FAU’s secondary struggles in the first half last week, look for Litton to go downfield early. He has some of the best C-USA QB stats this year with 1,913 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and a 61% completion rating.
- 8 Tyre Brady, R-Jr.,WR: The tall South Florida native is Litton’s favorite target. At 6-foot-3, Litton has the size of a NFL receiver and is a deep threat. Litton likes throwing to him, as hit 47 receptions for 694 yards prove. Two weeks ago FAU shut down North Texas receiver Jalen Guyton. They will attempt to do the same against Brady.
- 24 Keion Davis, R-Jr., RB: The veteran of the Herds two headed running back core, Davis is their leading rusher with 99 rushes for 518 yards and three scores. Davis rushed for 74 yards and two touchdowns last year against FAU, scoring the game winner with less than two minutes remaining. Davis also averages 31.2 yards per kickoff return, which is seventh-best nationally.
- 3 Tyler King, R-Fr., RB: King rushed 488 yards and five scores this season. FAU has never faced King. He has big play potential every time he gets a snap, like Singletary does for FAU.
- 77 Alex Locklear, R-So., G: The expected replacement for the suspended Devers, FAU will likely try to export Locklear’s inexperience early. Devers started 14 games in his career. Friday will be Locklear’s second start.
MARSHALL DEFENSE
Marshall’s 3-4 defense is second in Conference USA at stopping the run and fourth against the pass. They Thundering Herd allow only 17.6 points per game, which ranks No. 15 in the nation. Marshall shut out Kent St. earlier this season and held Charlotte and Old Dominion to three points each. Marshall gets after the quarterback, recording 23 sacks already this season.
Defensive Players to Watch:
- 37 Chase Hancock, R-Jr., LB: The leading tackler for the Thundering Herd, can play both the run and the pass. He has 77 tackles, including six tackles for a loss, and five pass breakups. He can make it harder for FAU to establish the run and even mess up the pass in the middle of the field.
- 91, Ryan Bee, R-Jr., DT: Marshall’s big man in the middle (he’s listed at 6-foot-7, 280 pounds), Bee leads the Thundering Herd in sacks with 4.5. He is also a lineman who can stuff the run, as his 34 tackles attest.
- 3, Chris Jackson, So., CB: Jackson currently leads the team with three interceptions and one of Marshall’s best coverage defensive backs. He also can tackle, as he is third in tackles for the Herd with 48 tackles.
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