Rested Owls back on practice field

By Ted Hutton
Staff Writer
Posted October 5 2004

Boca Raton ? Florida Atlantic returns to the practice field today to prepare for its first game in three weeks after the combination of Hurricane Jeanne and a bye week gave the Owls an unexpectedly long break.

"The plus is the healing and the minus is disrupting the rhythm we had developed," defensive coordinator Kirk Hoza said.

FAU will play at Texas State on Saturday, the Owls' first game since beating Middle Tennessee State 27-20 on Sept. 18 to improve to 3-0.

Defensive lineman Johnnie Sloan and running back Doug Parker both had chances to heal ankle injuries, and defensive back Willie Hughley's sore shoulder also got a rest.

So FAU, which has avoided major injuries so far this season, will have all starters in place.

The break is likely the last FAU will get for a while. The Owls will play nine games in nine weeks if the Illinois State game that was postponed by Jeanne is rescheduled for Nov. 20 as expected.

Texas State is 2-2 after losing to Appalachian State 41-34 last Saturday.

Running back Terrell Harris had four touchdowns for the Bobcats in the loss, and quarterback Barrick Nealy rushed for 102 yards and threw for 219.

No place like road

FAU's three wins to start the season were all on the road, which extended the Owls' road winning streak to eight.

The road streak began Sept. 20 last season when the Owls beat Youngstown State, and included two wins in the Division I-AA playoffs.

FAU is hoping the streak reaches 10, since the next two games are on the road before the Owls' home opener Oct. 23 against Louisiana-Monroe.

Overall, FAU has won 13 of its past 14 games.

TV time change

FAU's next two games will be televised by Fox Sports Net Florida, with the start times changed from the original schedule.

Saturday's game at Texas State will be broadcast live at 1:30 p.m. The kickoff was originally scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Oct. 16 game at Northern Colorado, originally scheduled for 3 p.m., will begin at 4 p.m.

Copyright ? 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel