So, Florida Atlantic’s season opener at No. 3 Oklahoma ended up being a blowout loss – 63-14.
Lets remember, FAU went into the game as a 24-point underdog.
The lopsided score wasn’t unexpected, but the Owls inconsistency on offense was. FAU’s first score didn’t come until there was :55 left in the third quarter with the score 56-0, plus, the Owls were outgained on offense 650 yards to 324. Best part of that road trip was the FAU’s payday and the fact it was the Owls first game, with plenty of opportunities left to right the ship – starting with Saturday’s 2 p.m. home opener against Air Force.
While it’s a non-Conference USA game, FAU will need a better showing against Air Force as a confidence builder with two more non-conference foes up next (vs. Bethune Cookman Sept. 15, at No. 19 UCF Sept. 21).
FAU could use your support Saturday and there are plenty of tickets available for the game at the gate – starting at $15.
GAME CAPSULE
Who: Air Force (1-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1)
Where: Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium, Boca Raton
When/TV: 2 p.m., Saturday (CBS Sports Network)
Line: FAU is an 8-point favorite
About FAU: The Owls ran into a buzzsaw vs. the highly-respected Sooners. The only stat that FAU did win was the time of possession battle (30:45 to 29:15), but it was because Oklahoma flooded the field with reserves after building that big early lead. It was an uneven effort for FAU’s Heisman Trophy running back candidate Devin Singletary – 69 yards on 18 carries (one touchdown) – and he will need a big game vs. Air Force to support the preseason hype. Freshman quarterback Chris Robison (15 of 26 for 157 yard with no interceptions) got the start vs. Oklahoma over junior De’Andre Johnson (1 of 3 for 11 yards). The FAU defense allowed more than eight yards per Oklahoma rush (39 attempts for 319 yards) and now face an Air Force team that runs the ball almost exclusively.
About Air Force: The Falcons won their home opener over Stony Brook, 38-0, busting out to a 24-0 lead at half with an unrelenting ground attack. Air Force rushed for 333 yards on 77 attempts, while senior quarterback Arion Worthman was just 2 of 8 passing for 29 yards and no interceptions. Junior Joseph Saucier led the Falcons on the ground with 71 yards on 10 carries, while junior Cole Fagan had 67 yards on 18 attempts and Worthman added 66 on 11 tries. The Air Force defense allowed just 75 total yards of offense, limiting Stony Brook to just 30 total yards rushing on 30 attempts. Linebacker Kyle Johnson did return an interception for a 32-yard touchdown for the Falcons second score.
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