Matchup: FAU (0-2, 0-1 AAC) vs FIU (1-1)
When: Saturday, September 14th, 6:00 PM
Where: FAU Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Radio: FoxSports 640
Opening Line: FAU -7
Weather Forecast: Current conditions in Boca Raton, FL
The Series: Owls own a 16-4 mark overall
Owl Notes
The Shula Bowl is upon us for the first time of the Tom Herman era and it is a critical game for the Owls as they look, not only to protect their home field and win their rivalry matchup, but turn the season onto the right track before it goes off of the rails.
FAU struggled immensely in week 2, as the Owls looked to come into the week wanting to find their mojo that they looked to have pieces of in the second half against Michigan State, but that was far from the case as the Owls sputtered to only one touchdown again, having a few other promising drives, but failing to convert.
Through 2 games, Cam Fancher has completed 59% of his passes in 2 games, throwing for 309 yards and 2 TDS, but also 3 INTs, only 5 YPC, and the offense has lost 29 yards as a result of Fancher being sacked.
It hasn’t been a great start for the Owls lead man, as he’s struggled to form a consistent connection with his receiving corps, suffered from a severe lack of run game, and against Army he saw his time in the pocket increase, but he only ran it 4 times himself and it left the offense with almost no explosive ability.
Omari Hayes has stood out as Fancher’s most consistent target, recording 9 catches for 119 yards and a score, however his playing time in week 2 was limited, only receiving 19 snaps which was 6th out of 7 receivers who played.
One of the offense’s biggest issues has been the run game, as CJ Campbell has been unable to break off any significant runs, which according to Tom Herman has been the result of a variety of issues, both from the offensive line standpoint and the running backs.
Campbell has carried it 20 times for 49 yards across 2 games, while Mobley has carried it 13 times for 44 yards, with 10 of those carries coming in week 1. The offensive line improved their pass-blocking in week 2 against Army, but the run-blocking still left a lot to be desired and in week 3 FAU will be looking to get a better push up front to spark their backs.
On the defensive side of the ball, last week was a major struggle against Army and their option & run heavy attack, as the Owls were gashed for 400+ yards rushing and it was a major step back for what has been a strength of this team during the Herman era.
A bright spot was CJ Heard, who stepped up, playing over 40 snaps and recording 7 tackles to put him in the lead of Freshman Tacklers in the country.
The pass-defense was only tested once against Army, however it resulted in a 44 yard td as a result of a blown coverage, and like the big run FAU allowed against MSU, little mistakes have cost them through 2 games,
Against Michigan State, the secondary for the Owls locked up against Aidan Chiles, who proceeded to throw for over 300 yards and multiple TDs a week later against Maryland. With that in mind, it’s evident that the DBs for the Owls are a major strength of this team, and against a more traditional offense in FIU, Buggs Brown, Daedae Hill and company will look to get back to doing what they do in coverage.
The aforementioned run struggles have been a huge detriment to this offense, as lack of production on early downs has left them in scenarios that have been tough to convert.
Star Watch: RB Zuberi Mobley
CJ Campbell has been the lead back through 2 games, but Zuberi Mobley has been right behind him, only receiving 7 less carries than Campbell has.
In week 2 however, Mobley only received 4 touches to Campbell’s 11 and that was due to the fact FAU was left to try to Pass the ball trying to come back from multiple scores.
Against FIU in a week where the Owls will need to find their offensive consistency, the run game opening up is going to be crucial for the Owls to do that.
If FAU is unable to get production from Campbell early in that game, something to watch is if the Owls look to Mobley in a bigger role to potentially provide a spark in this offense.
Mobley dealt with Injuries and a loaded backfield in 2023 which held him to only 62 yards on 22 carries, however in 2022 he carried it 101 times for 534 yards and 3 scores.
He would provide a bit more of a bruising style than Campbell and if the Owls struggle to initiate a run-game early with Campbell as lead back, an option for the Owls would be to lean on Mobley to see if he can bully his way into some yards to keep the offense on schedule.
Final Word
FAU has not lost a Shula Bowl since 2016, a 33-31 loss in Miami, which was the 4th in a string of 7 straight losses in that season for the Owls, and marked the last season of the Charlie Partridge era.
Despite the situation being less dire than it was in 2016, this season’s matchup will provide the Owls their biggest threat at returning the trophy to Miami since that fateful evening in 2016. The Owls are on the short end of the momentum stick and will be facing off against an FIU team who, following the shellacking of CMU in their Pitbull Stadium debut, is riding a serious hot streak.
The offense is going to have to wake up for FAU in this one, one touchdown is simply not going to beat anybody, let alone a team like FIU with a dynamic offense and capable defense.
It’s going to start with the run game, as the first 2 games it has been stymied completely and it left the offense in a scramble drill against MSU, and with nothing to work with against Army.
The Owls also have to let Fancher cook with his legs, as following 10 first downs gained on the ground against MSU, he was limited to 1 on 4 totes against Army with the Owls trying to protect him after some dangerous hits against the Spartans. Although the Owls will need to continue to protect Fancher, they have to utilize his strengths as well, and that includes his running ability which will allow the Owls to have an explosive side to their offense which they were missing against Army.
Outside of that, Fancher will need to avoid errant throws like we saw on the deep ball against Army and throw over the middle against MSU and he will need help from his receivers, with his pass-catchers having to find a way to get open and give him targets to throw too.
The defense is still a strength of this squad, as the 400 yards allowed on the ground is an anomaly until proven otherwise and this game is a chance for this unit to get back to stopping the run like they were able to against MSU outside of one huge run.
Against an FIU team who will be looking to pass the ball more than Army did the Owls will be able to get their ball-hawks more involved which could potentially lead to turnovers if plays are made.
But the defense leading the way isn’t going to be good enough against FIU, as if the offense is unable to find their groove and struggles once again disaster could strike in paradise.
FAU will have to find their offensive mojo and early, otherwise the Panthers will be primed to take the Shula Bowl back to Miami, and send FAU into a free-fall at 0-3.
Key Stats Comparison
FIU notes
FIU comes into this game riding serious momentum, as week 2 marked the official beginning of “Pitbull Stadium,” and FIU capitalized with a 52-16 beat down of Central Michigan.
Both sides of the ball shined in that one for the Panthers, as they forced 5 INTs on defense and scored 4 rushing TDs, 2 Passing, and saw 5 different receivers get invoked in the pass game.
Following a week 1 loss to Indiana where they were in it for a majority of the first half, before Indiana pitched a shutout in the second half and finished off a 31-7 victory, a week 2 dominant victory was what the doctor ordered for FIU and now has this team riding hot into week 3.
Through 2 games, QB Keyone Jenkins has been efficient through the air, completing 63% of his passes for 253 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. Indiana was able to stymie him on the ground, and his rushing attack wasn’t needed against CMU, however Jenkins is a dual threat QB and has the scramble ability to catch the Owls slipping if they aren’t ready.
On the ground, the Panthers have been able to get a multi-threat attack as both Kejon Owens and Shomari Lawrence have contributed 15 Carries, with Owens leading the way with 96 yards gained and 6.4 yards per carry.
At receiver, it has been a healthy combination with 4 different guys having at least 2 receptions across the first 2 games, with Josiah Miamen leading the way at Tight end with 6 catches for 66 yards.
The defensive side of the ball has been sound, especially pass-defense as against Indiana they limited the passing opportunities, holding Kuris Rourke to under 200 yards, and forced the aforementioned 5 INTs against CMU.
The run defense has left some to be desired, as they allowed 234 yards rushing against Indiana, and 179 yards rushing against Central Michigan.
Overall, FIU debuts one of their most balanced teams in quite a while, with a veteran QB, dual-threat RBs, playmakers at WR, and a defense that although it has struggled against the run, has been lights out against the pass.
Star Watch: QB Keyone Jenkins
The Panthers QB has show-stopping ability, as on the ground he’s been limited this season but is a threat and as a passer he’s gotten much better with more time in the system.
With Jenkins having the ability to run it well, the Owls will need to keep that in mind and although FAU was able to hold Aidan Chiles dual-threat ability in check week 1, Jenkins will provide just as much of a threat and will be difficult to slow down.
As a passer, Jenkins is showing an improved accuracy in year 2 at the helm, as he finished with 11 TDs and 11 INTs last year and under 60% completion, however through 2 games this year he’s above 60% and has only thrown the one INT.
Jenkins will be a threat to watch for in this one as if he’s able to get his run game going alongside the improved pass game, FAU will have a tall task on their hands trying to slow him down.
Final Word
FIU comes into this game with a chip on their shoulder and momentum, 2 things you never want to face as an opponent. The chip, coming from consecutive losses against FAU dating back to 2016 and the momentum coming from a hot start to the season.
With Jenkins looking like he has taken a step as a passer this season, he becomes a serious threat and a guy who can change a game both on the ground and through the air.
He’s got capable targets to throw to as well, Josaiah Miamen has established himself as a consistent target over the middle at TE, while Eric Rivers looks to build on a solid first year with the Panthers and through 2 games has flashed explosive ability, alongside veteran Dean Patterson.
On defense, FIU has looked much improved from just a year ago and the run struggles they’ve faced could potentially be related to the loss of star LB Reggie Peterson right before the season.
Against the pass however, that hasn’t been an issue as previously mentioned, as Brian Blades & Victor Evans III on the outside and Jamal Potts in the slot have combined to form a lockdown trio in the secondary for the Panthers.
With defense being a strength of this FIU squad, they have a serious ability to go into Boca Raton against a struggling FAU offense and lock down the Owls offense.
However, for FIU to seal the deal and come away with a Shula Bowl victory, Keyone Jenkins will need to find his groove as a runner alongside his improved pass game, and the Panthers will need to attempt to ground and pound it with Lawrence and Owen to limit the Owls chances offensively.
If they’re able to institute a solid run game, alongside a mistake-free pass game, and their defense prevents FAU from finding their groove, this matchup could end in the Panthers taking the trophy back to Miami.
