Florida Atlantic Owls

FAU falls apart late, Tulane masters comeback

Game Report Posted: September 21, 2013 23:21  

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Tulane (5-4, 3-2) comeback from behind 26-14 and two late scores by Orleans Darwa would seal the deal for Tulane to beat Florida Atlantic (3-6, 3-3).

Tulane racked up 257 yards of total offense in the second half, while FAU only had 126 yards in second half. 70 of those yards were on a late touchdown pass.

With 2:11 left in the game Orleans Darwa would find the end-zone from 9 yards out to give the Green Wave a 34-26 point lead. But the Owls fired back quickly with a 70 yard touchdown pass from Stephen Curtis to Marcus Cunningham. But they still needed a 2-pt conversion to tie it and a Tulane defender would deflect the pass.

The Owls would not recover the onside kick and two plays later Darwa found the end-zone for a second time to seal the game for Tulane.

"That what happens when you keep kicking field goals in the red-zone." Said head coach Greg Patterson. "And despite that we still had control early in this game, but our defense fell apart and the offense couldn't get anything going. When it mattered."

Nick Montana started the game off rough and despite performing better in the second half, he still didn't have the best game. He was 6 for 18, 102 yards, and 3 interceptions at halftime. He finished 13 for 31, 253 yards and 2 touchdowns.

His main target was tight end Matt Marfisi who was making big play after big play when they needed him. He caught 6 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Ryan Grant also came up big catching 3 passes for 77 yards.

The Owls were able to pick off Montana 3 times in the first half, but could not do anything in second half. Two of those picks were by D'Joun Smith

Halfback Antonio Washington had a break out game. He ran for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns with only 19 carries. He also broke off a 49 yard run in the second quarter. His touchdowns were from 4 and 3 yards out.

Washington has really come along for the Owls as of late. He has rushed for a touchdown now in four out of the last five games.

Stephen Curtis played well. He threw his only interception of the game on the team's first drive which resulted in a touchdown. But, overall he played well. He completed 22 of 38 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown.

Marcus Cunningham made couple of big plays for Curtis. The biggest one being the 70 yard touchdown catch late in the fourth. He had 4 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Florida Atlantic will have a bye week before traveling to Mississippi to play Southern Miss. Which will be a big game for the team, as a lose would result in no chance of a bowl game.

Strong second half gives Owls win over rival FIU

Game Report Posted: September 27, 2013 01:15  

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic scored 24 points in the second half, and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat FIU for the ninth time in series rivlary.

Damian Fortner was a big part for the win. He averaged 9.1 yards a carry, having 110 yards, and two touchdowns from 3 and 4 yards out. He also broke off two 20+ yard runs.

"I'm extremely proud of our guys, we might have started the season off not the best. But we finished it strong and won the most important game on our schedule." Said head coach Greg Patterson after the game.

Jonathan Wallace also a nice day on the ground. Rushing for 77 yards off 16 carries.

Both teams had almost identical stats. FIU (3-9, 2-6 Conference USA) and Florida Atlantic (5-7, 4-4 Conference USA) both had 20 first downs, FIU only had 10 more yards of total offense with 10. Each having one turnover, which was an interception. Each team also punted it 5 times each and FAU had 1 more minute of TOP.

Florida International had a 10 point lead entering the second quarter thanks to a field goal early and a 31 yard touchdown pass from Jake Medlock to Will Wright with 0:10 left.

Florida Atlantic would kick three field goals, their last one with only 0:01 left till halftime. FIU would also kick a field goal in the second quarter. The Panthers entered halftime with a 13-9 lead.

Both defenses started to perform not as well, as they did in the first half for the second half.

Florida Atlantic started the second half off with Damian Fortner finding the end-zone to take a 16-13 lead. FIU halfback K. Rhodes would find the end-zone and another field goal by Mitch Anderson had the Panthers leading 20-19 going into the fourth quarter.

FIU opened the fourth with a field goal to give them a 23-19 lead. But, FAU would score two touchdowns within two minutes, thanks to an interception by Cre'Von LeBlanc. A couple plays after the interception Stephen Curtis found Marcus Cunningham wide open on a crossing route and Cunningham dived into the end-zone from 30 yards out.

FIU would kick a field goal with 2:24 left to only be down 33-26. But, would be unable to get the ball back.

Despite only throwing 1 interception, Stephen Curtis had a rough day passing. Only completing 11 of 29 yards (37 Comp%), but did have 200 yards passing. Big chuck of that yardage were by Williams Dukes and Alex Deleon. Dukes caught 4 passes for 88 yards and Deleon caught a big 46 yard pass leading to a touchdown for the Owls.

The Owls played really well against the run. K. Rhodes ran for 124 yards and a touchdown off 25 carries. Medlock had 8 rushes for 30 yards. He also threw for 270 yards and a lone touchdown, and interception.

Both teams will have to watch how the bowl games play out at home, as both will not be heading to a bowl game this winter. This marks the fifth straight season FAU will not be heading to a bowl game.

Owls rout Aggies, despite turnovers

Game Report Posted: September 26, 2013 19:50  

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic (4-7) put up 278 yards rushing and routed New Mexico State (1-10) 48-13.

Florida Atlantic had two different players rush for over 100 yards in the win. Jonathan Wallace had 118 yards off 20 carries in the first half alone, but would get knocked out of the game mid-way through the second quarter. Damian Fortner, however, picked up were he left off. Rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown off 17 carries.

Despite winning big the team had trouble keeping care of the ball, turning it over 5 times, 4 of those were interceptions from Stephen Curtis. But FAU were able to force turnovers as well though, forcing New Mexico State into 4.

Despite Curtis having the 4 interceptions - at times he was looking great. He threw 4 touchdowns and 232 yards. All four touchdowns going to different players.

The first one was caught by receiver Williams Dukes, which was also his first on the season. Marcus Cunningham, Alex Deleon, and DeAndre Robinson were the others to catch a TD pass.

Florida Atlantic had a 31-7 lead entering halftime and the closing minutes of the second half were extremely exciting. Starting with a 22 yard touchdown pass from Curtis to Cunningham, and then a minute later Richardson caught a TD pass to make it 31-0 for FAU. But after a huge kickoff return by Austin Franklin, NMSU quarterback McDonald would have a wide open receiver for a 44 yard touchdown.

The third quarter started with a 47 yard fumble return for NMSU after a big hit to halfback Damian Fortner. But, FAU would take control of the game again and finished the game off with a 2 yard touchdown run by Quez Johnson with 0:21 left in the game.

Florida Atlantic will play rival Florida International next week for their regular season finale.

Mason & Marshall run all over FAU

Game Report Posted: September 20, 2013 12:51  

AUBURN, AL. -- Tre Mason and Nick Marshall combined for 344 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns as they lead Auburn (4-4, 1-3) past Florida Atlantic (3-5, 3-2).

Mason averaged 12.4 yards a carry and broke off three 20+ yard runs. He finished with 186 yards and a touchdown with only 15 carries.

Quarterback Nick Marshall was injured on the final play in the first quarter, but returned for the third quarter. Before his injury he had ran for 96 yards. He didn't slow down one bit when he returned, finishing with 158 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He didn't have the best day passing though, he thrown 2 interceptions. His backup Kihel Frazier, however, did great in the only one quarter passing for 2 touchdowns and 79 yards.

"We were able to produce on offense...yardage wise, but if you don't score touchdowns when you have the chance, then it doesn't matter how many yards you get." Said head coach Greg Patterson.

He was referring to the team being inside Auburn's 5 yard line twice, both teams turnovers. One on turnovers on down and an other one being an interception.

Stephen Curtis started the game off well, but fell part in the second half. Throwing 3 interceptions. He was 20 for 38, 217 yards, and a touchdown though. His tight end Nexon Dorvilus being his main target.

For the second straight week the tight end caught 6 passes for over 100 yards and a touchdown.

Receiver Williams Dukes also seen a lot of passes his way. Catching 6 of them for 99 yards.

Backup quarterback Quez Johnson seen action throughout the game as well. He performed really well for his limited time, completing 5 of 7 passes for 81 yards and running for 35 yards, breaking off his run on third down for 31 yards.

The defense played great against Auburn's passing game only allowing 151 yards. But not so much against the run. Giving up 391 yards and over 300 of yards from only two players.

Nick Marshall, however, started the game off with a 19 touchdown pass within the first 2 minutes of the game. Not even 2 minutes later he would break off a 52 yard touchdown run.

FAU would score later in the first with Curtis hooking up with his tight end from 9 yards out, which was the only touchdown from the team.

Tre Mason would break off a 35 yard touchdown early in the first and that gave the Tigers a 35-10 lead. A late 4 yard touchdown by Nick Marshall would just put on the finishing touches for Auburn to give them a 42-13 win.

Southern Miss holds off Owls late rally

Game Report Posted: September 25, 2013 00:44  

HATTIESBURG, MISS. -- Florida Atlantic (3-7, 3-4) had just kicked a field goal to only be down by 1 with 2:01 left in the game.

A 96 yard kickoff return touchdown by Justin Sims would save his team from the Owls' rally.

Southern Miss (5-5, 4-2) would force turnovers on down at their own 37 and after two kneels the Golden Eagles stormed the field in victory.

This loss ensures no bowl games for Florida Atlantic, as the team falls to 3-7 on the season.

"We might not head to a bowl game this season. But we still can and need to finish this season strong." Said head coach Greg Patterson.

The Owls will play their final two games at home against New Mexico State and rival Florida International. Both games are very winnable for the Owls, as along with FAU, NMSU and FIU are struggling.

Southern Miss started the game fast and had a 21-3 point lead at the end of the first quarter. But a touchdown by Antonio Washington and Marcus Cunningham catching a 21 yard touchdown pass from Stephen Curtis with only 0:09 left in halftime; made it only a 28-17 point ball game.

At end of the half both teams offenses were clicking. Both teams had couple of turnovers, but that didn't stop them from gaining a lot of yardage. Florida Atlantic 316 yards and Southern Miss had 354 yards.

The Owls would end having have nearly 100 yards more of total offense than USM, with 551 to 469 and having 4 more first downs.

The second half was dominated by the Owls defense giving up no points to the offense. The only points were by the kickoff return in the final two minutes. FAU forced three in row three and outs in the start of the second half.

After a huge run by Jonathan Wallace, Antonio Washington found the end-zone for a second time this time by a 20 yard run.

Washington's big day would be ended shortly after, however. On the team's second possession in the third quarter Washington would go down with a torn pectoral, and he will miss the remained of the season.

After that the Owl's offense couldn't do anything when they got inside USM's 50.

Curtis was harrassed all day, but still found a way to have an alright game. Having career highs in attempts and yards. He was 26 for 52 for 384 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.

His main targets were receiver William Dukes (7 receptions for 131 yards) and tight end Nexon Dorvilus (7 receptions for 110 yards). Both players had a catch of at least 45 yards, Dukes had a season high for yardage and Dorvilus recorded his third 100+ yard game.

Southern Miss had their way with their running game. Four different players averaged at least 6.6 yards a carry. Leading the rushing game was Jaelin Richard, who rushed for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns off 16 carries.

The leader on the defense was Emmanuel Johnson who was all over the field. Recording 15 tackles and an interception.

This win for Southern Miss has them a win away from becoming bowl eligible and has a chance of heading to the Conference USA championship game if they beat Middle Tennessee in two weeks.