By Robbie Lastella
Owls Recap: Tulane 24 – FAU 8
It was tough sledding all day for the Owls offense. The Green Wave of Tulane, currently ranked #17 in the country came into paradise on Saturday and defeated FAU 24-8.
The game started off great for the Owls. Linebacker Courtney McBride forced a fumble on a hit to Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt and freshman safety Fabian Scott recovered, setting the Owls up for great field position on their first drive of the day. McBride described after the game how that impacted him and the team.
“It felt good to have that momentum like this is our game, that’s how we felt,” McBride said.
The FAU offense could not capitalize on that turnover going 3 and out on the following possession.
The Tulane offense was ready to go on the following drive, marching 77 yards in 2 minutes and 32 seconds, capping it off with a Pratt touchdown connecting with tight end Chris Carter for a 9 yard score to make it 7-0 in the 1st quarter.
Following a 4 and out for the Owls, Boca Raton native Michael Pratt and the Tulane offense once again was ready to go. This time marching down the field in 9 plays and just under 4 minutes, ending with Pratt finding former FAU commit Chris Brazzell in the endzone for a 9 yard touchdown to go up 14-0.
FAU had a methodical 19 play 73 yard drive that almost took up 10 minutes on the ensuing possession, but had a pass fall short of LaJohntay Wester in the endzone on 4th down. That was it for offense for both sides, as the Owls were unable to score before the half and headed into the break trailing 14-0.
The 3rd quarter wasn’t much better for the Owls, as the offense went 3 and out on their only possessions in the quarter. Tulane was able to find the endzone for the 3rd and final time of the day, with Pratt finding Chris Carter for his second score of the day, making it 21-0.
Trailing 24-0 headed into the 4th quarter, the Owls offense was looking to find anything to build on. The offense put their best drive of the day together to begin the 4th, marching 75 yards in 15 plays.
The drive resulted in the first touchdown of the day for the Owls with Daniel Richardson finding Khalil Brantley for a touchdown and Devin Price for a 2 point conversion making it 24-8 with 8:58 to go.
A failed onside kick on the following play pretty much shut the door for the Owls. Tulane was able to chew 4 minutes off the clock on their next possession, and their defense was able to hold off any final comeback from the Owls offense.
A tough defeat at home on Senior day for the owls, as this loss means there will be no bowl game for FAU this season. The season ends next week on the road against Rice, a game that Coach Tom Herman still views as important.
“We are gonna find 3 things about each and every one of our players, 1.How much do you love football, 2. How much do you love to compete, and 3 and maybe the most important one; how much do you love each other,” Coach Herman said.
The owls trailed for a majority of this game, and many teams could find themselves at a point to give up, but LaJohntay Wester isn’t worried about the effort of this team.
“Some people on the team still have to get on board with it, but a majority of this team was fighting until the clock hit double 0’s,” Wester said.
Next for FAU, they will take on Rice in Houston at 12 pm on Saturday November 25th on ESPN+. Tulane will take on UTSA Friday November 24th at 3:30 on ABC.
