Matchup: FAU (0-1) vs Army (1-0)
When: Saturday, September 7th, 12:00 PM
Where: FAU Stadium
TV: CBS Sports, Jordan Kent (PXP) Logan Ryan (Color)
Radio: FoxSports 640
Ken Lavicka (Pxp) Chris Newbold (Color)
Opening Line: FAU -4
Weather Forecast: Current conditions in Boca Raton, FL
The Series: First meeting
Owl Notes
A service academy is coming to town which means the Owls will need to be firing on all cylinders in order to avoid playing into Army’s methodical game. Week 1 saw the Owls offense struggle to get going early on, and needed a spectacular effort from the defense to keep them in it, which eventually resulted in the unit finding some rhythm late which they will need to carry into week 2.
Cam Fancher is healthy according to Coach Tom Herman after a gutsy week 1 performance which saw him take a boatload of hits, en-route to picking up 10 first downs with his legs. In week 2, Fancher will need to find a way to still make a major impact on the ground, but also avoid dangerous hits as much as possible.
Fancher dodging danger will also be up to the offensive line, as both tackles struggled at times to contain edge pressure from MSU and in week 2 with less talent coming at them, it will be important for both Daughtry Richardson and Malcolm Lamar to be solid in pass pro and keep Fancher up-right.
If the offense can have more time in the pocket, the passing side of the offense will need to open up earlier for the Owls. FAU Coach Tom Herman noted that the 9 passing attempts last week was not intentional, and with more time to throw look for a more deliberate game plan to get the receivers and TEs involved earlier.
Alongside Fancher’s run game and the pass game, the run game with Cj Campbell and Zuberi Mobley was stymied for the most part by a stout MSU defensive line and with a more favorable matchup with the Army front 7 look for the Owls to get some juice from their backs to set up 3rd and manageable.
Defensively, the Owls will look to replicate their solid performances across the board and will need to focus on all the little things against an option heavy offense which is full of nuances and can be tough to prepare for.
A huge benefit for the Owls is that they have a secondary that can come down and contribute in the run game that is also led by Veterans in Buggs Brown, Daedae Hill, and Jayden Williams, all of whom contributed in the run game week 1 and will need to be defensively sound once again against a tricky opponent.
If Chris Jones, Devonta Davis and Chisom Ifeanyi can replicate the havoc they caused in the backfield against MSU in this one, that will also go a long ways in helping the Owls snuff out the option game before it gets rolling.
Star Watch: WR Omari Hayes
Omari Hayes having another big game would be important to the development of offense and help Fancher continue to grow his connection with the Owls slot man. Hayes caught all 5 of his targets for 75 yards in week 1 and showed an ability to stretch the field over the middle and behind the line-of-scrimmage in the screen game.
The offense finding a way to get Hayes involved early and get their lead man “hot” is something that will be important to help the pass game rolling, which is something Tom Herman mentioned as something they will look to do.
The slot has always been an important position in a Herman led offense, as La’Johntay Wester was the beneficiary of that in year 1 for the Owls and the door is open for Hayes to carve out a big role for himself. Although he may not receive 150 targets in Wester form, Hayes having an ability to impact the pass game in a multitude of ways is a huge x-factor to open this offense up.
In week 2 against an Army team who doesn’t have a huge amount of film to go off of, this is a prime opportunity for Hayes to get the ball and make another big impact on this FAU offense.
FAU will need to play a clean game of football Vs an Army team that will be looking to capitalize on its mistakes and dominate time of possession. The Owls had a few 3 and outs in week one against Michigan State and those situations against a team that will look to hold the football would be detrimental and something that will need to be avoided.
The offense as a whole will need to put together longer and more consistent drives in this one compared to week 1, as if Army is able to win time of possession that will help them establish themselves and attempt to pull off an upset on the road.
If the offense is able to put together a more dynamic and dependable performance throughout the game, the Owls defense has the experience and talent to slow down the triple option, but following a week 1 performance which left a lot to be desired offensively it will be something to watch how the Owls look to spark the unit.
Key Stats Comparison
Army notes
Army heads to town in their AAC debut following a dominating 42-7 victory over FCS Lehigh at home. After a few seasons moving slightly away from the triple option, it is back in full force this season, with Army attempting only 8 passes in week 1, and rushing it 55 times for 373 yards and 6 TDs, utilizing 9 different rushers. Kanye Udoh, Army’s running back and Bryson Daly, QB, led the way on the ground with 15 and 17 totes respectfully, with Udoh rushing for 75 yards and 3 scores and Daly 78 and 2 scores.
Udoh is a bruising back who can grind out yards in early down situations and help Army set up short yardage 3rd downs, which leads them to control the clock and institute their option domination.
Daly was able to run the offense efficiently, making the right read a majority of the snaps, including calling his own number on the ground which led to a number of big plays for Army.
A veteran leader at QB, Daly isn’t going to make many mistakes and has looked even more athletic on the ground following the first game of his senior season.
On the defensive side of things, Army faced no issues with Lehigh and played a clean game with no penalties. Army has a stout front 7 with Kyle Lewis and Jack Latore combining to be a force in the run and pass rush game, and although a bit less explosive than what FAU matched up against at MSU, they still will provide a force of pressure on the outside.
Donovan Platt and Damon Washington weren’t targeted too much in week 1, but a normally sound group in coverage, week 2 should provide a solid test against an Owls passing game which will be looking to improve.
Star Watch: ATH Noah Short
Noah Short is an X-Factor in this Army offense, as the former safety transitioned to slot receiver last season leading this offense in the passing side of things, which albeit isn’t great, has a chance to lead to explosive plays when used correctly.
Short saw 8 carries in the opener against Lehigh and could be expected to see a solid role behind Udoh and Daly on the ground.
Short’s knowledge as a former saftey and skill set as both a runner and receiver is tough to scheme against and if Army utilizes him correctly, he may be able to break some big plays to help Army’s offense open up.
Look for them to utilize him in a variety of ways, mainly through the option, but if the cards align for a pass play the Owls better have an eye on Short, as he will be their go-to target.
Final Word
A systematically sound team on both sides of the ball, Army runs their offense in a way where if the Owls can’t capitalize on their chances it could lead to a big day for the Black Knights.
Army needs to find ways to get the ball to Noah Short and build on his 83 yard performance from game 1. Aside from him Udoh and Daly will also be pieces on the ground as the Black Knights look to control the clock.
If Army is able to control the clock and force FAU’s offense to capitalize on minimal possessions it will be up to the Black Knights defense to neutralize those chances, and we shall see if they are up to the task.
