Matchup: FAU (1-3, 0-1 AAC) vs Wagner (2-2, 0-1 NEC)
When: Saturday, September 28th, 6:00 PM
Where: FAU Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Radio: FoxSports 640
Opening Line: FAU – 35
Weather Forecast: Weather in Boca Raton
The Series: Owls 2-0
Owl Notes
FAU heads into their final game of the non-conference schedule needing a win following a 48-14 shellacking at the hands of UCONN and now all hands will be on deck for the Owls trying to figure things out before it is too late.
The good thing for the Owls is this game is supposed to be somewhat of a tune-up game, as FCS Wagner heads to town giving the Owls a chance to get back to the basics and find what works.
Even with a 2-2 FCS squad heading to town, this game provides no guarantee of victory if FAU puts out the same early offensive production they saw last week against UConn, so that is why this week Tom Herman decided to make a bit of a move at Quarterback.
Although it’s expected that Cam Fancher still holds the majority of the snaps, Colorado transfer Kasen Weisman will be receiving an expanded role this week as the Owls look to the redshirt freshman to potentially spark the passing game.
The 6’2 Georgia native was the 27th ranked dual threat QB in 2023 and had multiple p4 offers, ultimately committing to Coach Prime and Colorado, before transferring to FAU this past offseason.
Tom Herman mentioned that he has had improved confidence since coming to FAU and that he possesses “good” traits across the board, rather than one great ability. With that in mind, expect Weisman to be more of a pocket passer in this offense, however also having the ability to run it and prevent the defense from stacking the box against Cam and dropping back against him during QB rotations.
Unfortunately for FAU, the pass game is still a bit hampered by injuries at the WR position as following early season ending injuries to BJ Alexander and EJ Horton, Joe Young will now be having surgery on his knee and will be out indefinitely. Jabari Smith Jr. is seeing an expanded role, but Marlyn Johnson, Dom Henry, Omari Hayes George Johnson, Milan Tucker, and Caleb Coombs are all still expected to rotate ahead of him.
Behind him, FAU will need another solid game out of their backs, as although the Owls will be looking to improve their pass game, they can’t be overly reliant on it. Zuberi Mobley and CJ Campbell Jr. have both been capable of grinding out consistent yardage over the past 2 weeks and in this one it will be important for them to continue that, while hopefully breaking off a few large runs.
Defensively, FAU has to find a way to stop the run and wrap up on tackles, as the Owls had 17 missed tackles last week against UConn with 7 coming from the linebackers. Finding a way to generate pressure will also be important, as this could be a week where FAU dominates in the trenches and gains confidence that will be important going into conference play after the bye.
Following a week where FAU had nearly 100 yards in penalties, look for the Owls to play a clean game on both sides of the ball, with Herman mentioning playing guys who don’t make the uncalled for mistakes during practice, which ultimately translate into the game.
One of the bright-spots during this season has been punter Logan Lupo (pictured below via Angelina Labelle), who has ranked 11th in the nation in yards-per-punt and has set up the defense for manageable situations to work with. The Owls are hoping his name is called a bit less in up-coming weeks, but he has come through whenever his name has been called.
Star Watch: QB Kasen Weisman
Kasen Weisman comes into this matchup with not a lot of film for opponents to scout him with which off the bat makes him someone to watch out for in this one.
It’s unknown how large of a role he will play in this one, however FAU has consistently struggled to pass the ball in the first 4 games and it’s expected they’re looking for him to provide a spark in that department.
Kasen will have the ability to both run and pass during his packages, which will allow this offense to keep a sense of normalcy, while also hopefully being able to hit some of the passes that they have been unable to so far.
It is unknown what exactly he will provide in this one, however Herman is making the move to the young QB in hopes that it will give the offense life it has only had for brief flashes so far this season.
Final Word
FAU needs a big win in this one, not a squeaker, but one where both sides of the ball dominate and show what they can do heading into conference play.
It will start with the offense finally finding its footing early, whether that is with Fancher or Weisman is to be seen, but both will have an opportunity to light a spark under this offense and build some consistency.
Alongside them it will be important for Mobley and Campbell to continue to pickup solid yardage on the ground, setting up manageable situations in the pass game for their QBs.
Defensively, Wagner should be a team that the Owls dominate on all fronts against, as the FAU secondary is still one of the big bright spots on this squad and should limit the Seahawks ability to stretch the field. The front 7 needs a bounce back game and this is their chance for exactly that, as they will be facing a line they should have their way with, stuffing the run and getting after the quarterback.
That is what should happen however, but if the Owls struggle once again to shoot the gaps, tackle consistently, and with penalties that will allow Wagner to stay in the game and make this much closer than the Owls want it to be.
FAU needs a redemption game and it’s right here in front of them, but it’s going to take execution on both sides of the ball to prove that the early season struggles are behind them and that they have turned a page.
Key Stats Comparison
Wagner Notes
Wagner comes into this game at 2-2 following a 21-14 loss to Robert Morris.
Damien Mazil stared the first 2 games at quarterback, going 1-1, however Jake Cady took over in week 3 and is also 1-1 but has had more success.
In 2 starts and brief action in relief in week 1, Cady has thrown for 457 yards 7 TDs to only. 1 INT, completing 58% of his passes at 7.4 yards per attempt, Mazil had 290 yards 3 TDS and 3 INTs, also completing 58% of his passes.
Jaylen Bonelli has been their go-to-target, as the 5’10 outside receiver has 32 targets, while the next closest in terms of targets Terre McDonald only has 12.
At RB, Wagner has 2 200 yard rushers in Ricky Spruill and Sekou Kamau both averaging over 6 yards per carry, and over 3 yards after contact per carry, with Spruill having 17 missed tackles forced and 5 runs of 10+.
Their offensive line has been relatively sound, with the unit having only allowed 2 sacks, but 23 overall pressures.
Defensively, Tom Herman’s player to watch was #45 Justin Reilly, mentioning Wagner’s ability to use him in multiple ways as a Nickel LB, and him and Jalen Justice have combined to be a diverse duo at LB, both having a 75+ defensive grade, a sack, 10+ tackles, and 10+ tackles against runs for 3 yards or less.
Wagner has recorded 9 total sacks this season, with 3 coming from middle linebacker Jordan Johnson.
In both of their losses this season, Wagner has struggled against the Run allowing 200+ yards rushing against Lehigh and 147 and 3 scores last week against Robert Morris. That could be a potential weak spot for this defense against an FAU team which has established their run game over the past 2 weeks.
Star Watch: ATH Jaylen Bonnelli
Jaylen Bonnelli has caught 20/32 targets for 339 yards, 4 TDs on the outside this season, having more than 20 targets than the next closest receiver on their squad.
He has formed a connection with both QBs that they have had to send out this season and has shown an ability to make plays with his speed, while also having contested catch ability at only 5 ’10.
Wagner is going to try to get him the football early in the pass game and establish a rhythm against an FAU defense which has been sound against the pass, but was seldom tested against UConn last week.
Against Buggs Brown or Daedae Hill, Bonnelli is going to have a tough time creating a lot of separation It will be up to Wagner to find ways to get him the ball in space and let him make plays on his own, which if they are able to accomplish could create trouble for FAU.
Final Word
Wagner is a well coached football team, as Tom Masella has been around the game a long time and will have this team ready to play a clean game against an FBS squad.
Where they may be able to gain momentum is in the ground game, as they have 2 capable backs who can grind out yardage up the middle which was a struggle for FAU last week.
If Wagner is able to establish the run, while also getting Bonnelli going in the pass game, they may be able to stay in this game against an FAU team that is looking to find their rhythm offensively.
It will be an uphill battle for Wagner, as FAU was able to stop the run well against FIU and hasn’t struggled against the pass much this season, but following a demoralizing loss it will be up to the Owls to push that aside and dominate, or risk this game being a lot closer than they would want it to be.
