Florida Atlantic Football took the field at FAU stadium this morning for the first time during fall camp and displayed 80 plays in a controlled scrimmage format in front of friends and family during fan fest.
Cam Fancher and Tyriq Starks led the two offenses for the majority of the game, with Kasen Weisman receiving snaps in the second half. Although the offense has looked much improved as camp has gone on, the defense won the scrimmage today, recording 4 interceptions and containing the offense’s run game with a strong performance from the front 7.
Owls coach Tom Herman said today’s defensive performance didn’t surprise him considering they improved an already solid unit, and that the interceptions weren’t as concerning because of the high quality of defensive plays.
“I would have been surprised and disappointed had the defense not played like that, we played good enough defense in 7 out of 8 of our conference games, that a capable offense should have been able to win those games. Coming into this season, we feel like we have improved on that side of the ball, which I think is really good, when you improve from good. Offensively, nowhere to go but up, I think we were like 120th in the country in a multitude of categories so we are growing there, 2 of the interceptions I thought were unbelievable defense plays. I did not get concerned by the quarterbacks,” FAU Coach Tom Herman said.
QB Battle Update: Cam Fancher and Tyriq Starks have been in a battle for the QB1 position in the early portion of training camp, and today was the first time both were seen in live game action side by side. Fancher struggled a bit in the early portion, tossing an interception in his first drive of the game and had 3 interceptions total in the first half, however he settled in, and looked comfortable running the RPO side of the offense and was a serious threat with his legs, improvising multiple plays with his legs and gaining first downs.
Starks was in much better control early on, leading 2 touchdown drives and a FG in his first 3 drives of the day, however running a less aggressive style of the offense, utilizing his running backs a bit more than Fancher did and sticking to short passes, which resulted in rushing touchdowns for Gemari Sands and Xavier Terrell. Although in this scrimmage it seemed like Starks won the day, FAU Coach Tom Herman says if the season started today, this scrimmage performance wouldn’t deter his decision.
“If we played Michigan State today Cam would start…I don’t know if that will change in three weeks. Tyriq has played well…and that possibility is certainly out there,” FAU Coach Tom Herman.
Defense wins the Day: In today’s scrimmage, it was the defense that stole the show debuting their array of DB depth, limiting the offense’s ability to stretch the field, staying in tight coverage despite the pre-snap motion the offense displays, while their front 7 provided a formidable pass rush and staunch run defense. Fancher tried to test the DB unit on the first drive of the day, and was met with one of the Owls new DBs on the outside as 6 ‘3 Buggs Brown intercepted a jump ball. A few drives later Des Tisdol intercepted a tipped ball off the line of scrimmage, and late in the first half DaeDae Hill snagged another one on the outside, capping off a dominant half for the defense in which they were shutting Fancher’s passing game down and forcing him to run the offense with his legs.
Although, both Starks and Fancher were able to gain multiple first downs with their legs, the defense kept them contained in the large scheme of things, executing a bend but don’t break approach which resulted in a successful scrimmage for the defensive unit. FAU LB Des Tisdol (interception photo right above, Rick Henderson) believes that when the unit does what they’re capable off turnovers like today are just part of the game for the Owls.
“Everybody is just doing their job and the ball just falls into their hands, working together and getting 4 takeaways is just fun,” Tisdol said.
Depth at WR & RB: The talk around the depth that this FAU squad has, specifically at skill positions, has been rampant this offseason, as the Owls have brought in numerous WRs and have a room full of RBs who are capable of receiving in-game carries. That depth was on full display today, as Gemari Sands and Xavier Terrell scored TDs on the first team defense, both showing strong ability to muscle for yards and move downfield with a brisk pace, while the two backs ahead of them on the depth-chart CJ Campbell and Zu Mobley also looked solid, helping move the chains with inside zone carries and both as solid options in the pass game. OL Alex Atcavage mentioned that the depth in the RB room has been the talk of the team this offseason, and that it has a chance to make the offense much better.
“We talk about it all the time, our running back room, they make us right. They hit those holes, Coach Perkins does a great job with them, we are comfortable with whatever back is in there because we know that they know what to do and we’re all on the same page and I feel like that’s what we have been lacking in years past, we are really close with the backfield and I think that it’s going to be a really fun year,” Atcavage said.
In terms of the WR-room, the same qualities rung true as the Owls have had multiple receivers make an impact in this scrimmage and throughout the spring. Bringing in a multitude of different receivers with different skill sets was the approach that the Owls used, and one of those receivers who FAU brought in, EJ Horton (photo below, Rick Henderson), recorded a 50 yard reception in the scrimmage and believes he has a capability to impact the game in a variety of ways.
“I feel like I can stretch the field, but I feel like I can really do it all, multiple guys in the room can take the top off the defense,” Horton said.
EJ spent time with Qb Cam Fancher 2 years ago when the duo was at Marshall together, and although there wasn’t much of a need to adjust for him personally, Horton says Fancher has been doing a solid job at gelling with the WR room as a whole.
“(He’s gelled) really good, talking to the guys in practice and telling them what to do here and there. He’s a guy that you can gravitate too, he’s going to put that ball where it needs to be and you’re going to feel comfortable with how it comes out of his hand. He does a really good job at not letting guys get down at themselves, keep throwing to guys when they don’t make a play… he’s got really good character,” Horton said.
Kicking Woes For a majority of last season, FAU had to operate with Logan Lupo handling both the kicking and punting duties. This season is set to debut a unit with depth, as the Owls are returning Lupo and Carter Davis, while also bringing back Morgan Suarez and Redshirt Freshman Robert Hammond. Unfortunately in today’s scrimmage, the unit missed numerous kicks, as they swapped out PATs for lengthy Field goals and it made for a tough afternoon in the kicking department. Robert Hammond, the youngest member of the Unit impressed the most, hitting from 50+ into the wind, and although he’s the low man on the totem pole in the kicking department currently, it’s encouraging to see the Owls have options at the position.
Coaches Corner
Coach Tom Herman headlined our interview session at the close of today’s controlled scrimmage.
Up Next
FAU will be off on Sunday, enjoying a day of rest before they are back in action at The Schmidt Practice field on Monday. Our team will be previewing the safeties unit and speaking to Coach Derrick Gibson and requested players.