FAU takes on North Texas in a huge conference battle, which is a potential must win game as the Owls look to turn a page on what has been an up-and-down start to their 2024 campaign.
UNT comes into this matchup with a high octane offense, specifically their pass game as Chandler Morris is a gunslinging QB with dangerous weapons to throw too.
The struggles FAU has had offensively could lead to trouble in this one, however they looked to have found their stride against Wagner and now with a healthy Cam Fancher (pictured above via Angelina LaBelle) they will need to bottle up the success they had redo it against UNT.
FAU will need to get one of their better defensive performances of the season in this one, as their secondary will be tested more than they have all season which means a big game from the front 7 will be needed to provide pressure on Morris.
This will be an uphill battle, as FAU will have to have offensive success they haven’t been able to get consistently, while also getting a solid defensive performance in coverage and pressuring the QB. With that in mind, we take a look at 3 things to watch for as the Owls look to get the upset win at home, as underdogs.
What can Cam Fancher do?
It’s now or never for the FAU offense, as if that hasn’t been the case in the previous games the Owls looked to have found their mojo against Wagner and now should have a healthy Fancher heading into conference play against Wagner.
Prior to suffering his second finger injury of the season on a tackle, Fancher was pretty solid in a quarter and change of action completing 9 of 12 passes for 150 no touchdowns, one interception and leading 3 scoring drives
Cam was able to mix in both the short and long game, as he hit 2 throws of 10+ but his bread and butter was the short game which he executed, allowing his receivers to make plays in open space. Omari Hayes was a beneficiary of both the short and long passing game with Fancher, and against UNT, FAU has to find a way to get him the ball in space.
That was against FCS level competition and UNT will provide more resistance defensively, so with Fancher fully healthy off the bye this game will be a true test of what he and the offense are capable of.
Against Wagner, Fancher only attempted 1 rush for 7 yards which was where he injured his thumb, but this game may require a heavier load of Fancher on the ground which would help slow the game down. FAU wants to have an improved passing game, however UNT is not a team they will want to get into a shootout with so it will be imperative the Owls get Fancher in a rhythm both through the air but also on the ground.
Cam has been able to pick up important yardage on the ground with his legs this season, however it has also left him bruised up, so the Owls will have to find a way to balance his rushing attack with protecting him.
If he is able to make an impact with his legs, it should allow the pass game to open up as the game goes on. The Owls will need to lean on Fancher along with Zuberi Mobley and Cj Campbell Jr. in the ground game, but it’s equally important for the pass game to be continually improving, without forcing it.
North Texas has had a fairly solid secondary, with CB Ridge Texada as a budding star back there along with Evan Jackson, both of whom will be looking to capitalize on what has been a struggling FAU pass game. Their secondary may be solid, but this is a chance for Fancher to flip the narrative and prove that the progress that was made against Wagner was real and that he can command a downfield passing attack against an AAC opponent.
Can the Owls slow down the UNT pass game?
FAU is facing their biggest test through the air so far this season, as UNT and Chandler Morris have thrown for 300 yards in all but 1 of their games, which was the lone loss to Texas Tech.
Morris has elevated this offense to new levels this season, and that has been mainly without top WR Damon Ward Jr who is a game time decision against FAU. DT Sheffield has stepped up in his place and has been a number 1 in his own right and should Ward suit up against the Owls, FAU will have 2 top pass catchers in the AAC to gameplan for.
Luckily for the Owls they have a solid secondary, as Jayden Williams, CJ Heard and Phil Dunnam at safety, along with Daedae Hill and Buggs Brown at corner have the talent to compete with UNT. The talent is there, however they are going to be tested consistently for 4 quarters which is something they haven’t faced yet this season, so the question becomes do they have what it takes to slow them down.
FAU was able to get 21 total pressures against Wagner which was a season high, and it was a return to form following a UConn game where they were only able to generate 2 pressures. Against North Texas, it will be imperative both Chris Jones and Chisom Ifeanyi along with all of the Owls front 7 has a Wagner-esqe performance, as a UConn level output will give Morris ample time in the pocket which is how their offense is able to generate chunk plays.
The Owls have the coverage unit to compete against North Texas, however the pressure needs to continue to improve like it did against Wagner. If the Owls can pressure Morris 10-20 times it will allow for them to potentially force turnovers, and with 6 INTs on the year, Morris can be mistake prone but the Owls have to force him into them.
This will be an uphill battle against a very talented offense, but the Owls can slow them down with solid coverage and a dose of pressure, they just have to execute.
Can the Owls establish the run game
If FAU is able to slow down the UNT offense, the next step is for the Owls offense to match. With the pass game inconsistencies, FAU has to find a way to extend drives and win the time of possession battle and that will come from a heavy dose of the run game.
The Owls have a Tri-headed rushing attack with a healthy Fancher, along with Zuberi Mobley and CJ Campbell and all 3 will have to be utilized effectively in order for the Owls to compete in this one.
Mobley and Campbell both had big games against Wagner and when the Owls offense is operating how it should that is exactly what should be in store. In their wins this season, FAU has been able to get big games from both of their backs as against FIU Mobley rushed for 134 and 3TDs while Campbell had over 100 scrimmage yards and a score, and against Wagner it was the Campbell show as he had 129 yards and 2TDs and Mobley had 93 yards and a score.
UNT will be able to put up points and fast if needed, but if the Owls can quench that if they are able to grind out consistent yardage on the ground with their backs, while also picking up yards with Fancher, with 3rd downs being a place where he has been able to excel with his legs.
FAU wants to get an improved passing game and there is an opportunity for that to happen against North Texas, however the run game will be their bread and butter and should they get it rolling on the ground, FAU will have a chance to compete and potentially beat UNT as home underdogs.