FAU Football (Win 28-13) vs Middle Tennessee, 12 Oct 2019, 4pm, FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
Images are arranged in precise Time/Date order.
FAU defeated Middle Tennessee 28-13 behind the stingy play of their defense, and the solid play of their special teams.
The defense forced three turnovers, with Meiko Dotson leading the team with two interceptions. Rashad Smith was the other Owl with an INT.
In the first half FAU played your standard bend-don’t-break defense as Middle scored 13 points on 274 yards. Asher O’Hara did his best Johnny Manziel impression, extending plays with his legs and making something out of nothing when things looked poorly.
In the second half though the FAU defense proved to be the best unit of the game as their play was the difference. The Owls outscored Middle 16-0 as Middle’s offense was held to 185 yards with a decent chunk coming in garbage time.
Much has been made about the special teams’ uneven performance this season but today they were just as impactful to the end result as the defense was. Vladimir Rivas was 2-for-2 on field goals with the longest being 37 yards (unfortunately he did miss an extra point).
Previously_________________________
About FAU: The Owls are on a three-game winning streak after opening Conference USA play with a 45-27 win over Charlotte on Sept. 28 before their bye week. FAU starting quarterback Chris Robison has completed 75 percent of his passes for 1,057 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception in the last three games. The defense has only allowed 213 combined rushing yards during the team’s winning streak. The Owls have 37 tackles for loss, which is tied for 26th in the nation and third in the conference.
About Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders are coming off a 24-13 victory over conference foe Marshall. The Blue Raiders have won nine of their last 10 conference games. Defensive back Jovante Moffatt was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week after recording two interceptions and a career-high 13 solo tackles against Marshall.
Middle Tennessee ranks last in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game and second to last in yards allowed per rushing attempt. The Owls rushed for a season-high 238 yards on 50 attempts against Charlotte, with four different players averaging at least 4.0 yards per carry (minimum five rushing attempts). Will FAU’s running game build off its last performance against a defense that struggles to contain the run?
The Blue Raiders allow the most passing yards per game in Conference USA. Will Robison throw for more than 300 yards for the fourth consecutive game?
Will FAU force Middle Tennessee to commits its first turnover since Sept. 7? The Blue Raiders haven’t committed a turnover in their last three games and rank eighth nationally in giveaways. (Thank you Sun Sentinel)
Read MoreFAU defeated Middle Tennessee 28-13 behind the stingy play of their defense, and the solid play of their special teams.
The defense forced three turnovers, with Meiko Dotson leading the team with two interceptions. Rashad Smith was the other Owl with an INT.
In the first half FAU played your standard bend-don’t-break defense as Middle scored 13 points on 274 yards. Asher O’Hara did his best Johnny Manziel impression, extending plays with his legs and making something out of nothing when things looked poorly.
In the second half though the FAU defense proved to be the best unit of the game as their play was the difference. The Owls outscored Middle 16-0 as Middle’s offense was held to 185 yards with a decent chunk coming in garbage time.
Much has been made about the special teams’ uneven performance this season but today they were just as impactful to the end result as the defense was. Vladimir Rivas was 2-for-2 on field goals with the longest being 37 yards (unfortunately he did miss an extra point).
Previously_________________________
About FAU: The Owls are on a three-game winning streak after opening Conference USA play with a 45-27 win over Charlotte on Sept. 28 before their bye week. FAU starting quarterback Chris Robison has completed 75 percent of his passes for 1,057 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception in the last three games. The defense has only allowed 213 combined rushing yards during the team’s winning streak. The Owls have 37 tackles for loss, which is tied for 26th in the nation and third in the conference.
About Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders are coming off a 24-13 victory over conference foe Marshall. The Blue Raiders have won nine of their last 10 conference games. Defensive back Jovante Moffatt was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week after recording two interceptions and a career-high 13 solo tackles against Marshall.
Middle Tennessee ranks last in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game and second to last in yards allowed per rushing attempt. The Owls rushed for a season-high 238 yards on 50 attempts against Charlotte, with four different players averaging at least 4.0 yards per carry (minimum five rushing attempts). Will FAU’s running game build off its last performance against a defense that struggles to contain the run?
The Blue Raiders allow the most passing yards per game in Conference USA. Will Robison throw for more than 300 yards for the fourth consecutive game?
Will FAU force Middle Tennessee to commits its first turnover since Sept. 7? The Blue Raiders haven’t committed a turnover in their last three games and rank eighth nationally in giveaways. (Thank you Sun Sentinel)