The real season now starts for Florida Atlantic University’s football team.

After splitting its first four non-conference games, Florida Atlantic begins a stretch of eight straight Conference USA games.

The first one comes Saturday at Charlotte against a team that knocked Florida Atlantic out of bowl contention last season with a regular-season ending, 27-24, victory over the Owls at FAU Stadium.

On paper, Saturday’s game appears to be a toss up, as both teams are 2-2. Oddsmakers have made Charlotte just a 1-point favorite.

After taking its lumps in the first two games – losing at Ohio State (42-21) and at home to Central Florida (48-14) – FAU has played well in winning its last two outings. The Owls won at Ball State (41-31) and at home last Saturday against Wagner (42-7).

Still, FAU coach Lane Kiffin says his Owls will only go as far as their running game will take them.

“I think the passing game was the bright spot the last two weeks,” Kiffin said on Monday. “I think (quarterback) Chris (Robison) has thrown for over 745 yards in two games with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. John Mitchell almost had 300 yards receiving over the last two weeks … and D-Lo (Dangelo Antoine) had a big game (vs. Wagner).

“But we aren’t going to win this conference if we don’t figure out how to run the ball better.”

Robison has completed 98 of his 151 passes with just one interception for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. Robison’s efforts have been aided by the play of his receivers the past two weeks, especially Antoine.

After catching just three passes for no touchdowns in the first three games, Antoine hauled in 11 passes for 173 yards and four scores against Wagner. That effort made him the first FAU receiver to earn Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Antoine is a fifth-year senior, and played four seasons with South Florida – seeing time at both receiver and defensive back.

Meanwhile, Mitchell is the team co-leader in receptions thus far – sharing the top spot with tight end Harrison Bryant with 15 catches – and has scored three touchdowns.

The running game, however, has been inconsistent – at best.

FAU has rushed 157 times for a net of 411 yards – just 2.6 yards per carry. Running back Larry McCammon is the top rusher through four games with 67 carries for 217 yards (3.2 average) and three scores.

As important as Florida Atlantic’s play on offense will be Saturday, it will be the Owls’ defense that will be called on to stop a high-scoring Charlotte team.

Charlotte is averaging 38 points a game through its 2-2 start, and is ranked 14th among all FBS teams in rushing offense at 260.8 yards per game. The 49ers have scored more than 40 points and piled up over 500 yards of total offense in three of their four games.

The 49ers have been especially effective running the football, gaining 1,043 yards on 165 carries through the first four games – scoring 10 touchdowns.

Benny LeMay is Charlotte’s leader (64 carries for 432 yards and 4 TDs) and has rushed for more than 100 yards three times this season. The only game he was held under 100 yards was at top-ranked Clemson, when he ran for 81 yards.

Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds has completed 50 of his 79 passes with three interceptions for 630 yards and 7 touchdowns.

One thing Kiffin won’t have to do Saturday is remind his players of how it felt to walk off the field in that 2018 season-ending heartbreaking loss at home against Charlotte.

“I think they remember last year,” Kiffin said. “We let it get away … scored on the first play and didn’t finish the game.

“But every team is new. (The 49ers) are much improved from a year ago already. So, we are going to have to be much improved to be able to go up there and win.”

And a win Saturday would go a long way in helping FAU earn a spot in the Conference USA title game, as four of the next seven conference games will be at home.

If You Go

Who: Florida Atlantic (2-2) at Charlotte (2-2).

What: Conference USA opener for both teams and the fifth in the series between the two schools. The road team has won every game thus far, including Charlotte’s 27-24 victory at FAU Stadium last year.

Where: Jerry Richardson Stadium (Capacity 15,314), Charlotte, N.C.

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: NFL Network.

Line: Charlotte is a 1-point favorite.

Did you Know: Florida Atlantic senior linebacker Rashad Smith is ranked No. 1 among all FBS teams in fumble recoveries with three. He also leads the team in tackles (34), has an interception, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Photos contributed by: Bob Markey / Courtesy of www.FAUOwlsNest.com