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Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

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The Matchup: Louisiana-Monroe (3-8, 2-5) vs. Florida Atlantic (1-10, 0-7)

ULM Team Site

The Series: ULM 5  FAU 2

10/23/04 H L 17-13
08/22/05 H L 28-21
09/30/06 A W 21-19
10/27/07 H L 33-30 OT
10/25/08 A W 29-28
09/26/09 H L 27-25
10/09/10 A L 20-17


When: Saturday, December 3rd, 4:00 p.m.

Where: FAU Stadium

Weather: Current Conditions @ FAU Stadium


TV: None

Live Video: None


Ticket Info: 1-866-FAU-OWLS

Visitor's Info: Things to Do In Boca Raton, FL


Latest Line: Here

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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Coaches, Players, Fans and just about anyone who has been following the carrying out of a once 13 game slide by the Owls, may now find joy.

Yes, Florida Atlantic did in fact "defy the odds", overcoming the underdog status to rise above Alabama-Birmingham 38-35 on Saturday.

"It has been a good night," said coach Howard Schnellenberger afterwards. "This repays the players on this football team that did not resort to finger-pointing, and bitching, and backbiting, and malingering, and loafing, and being absent, or even quitting the team…and I want to commend them for it."

And what a night it was for Alfred Morris, who tripped the light fantastic while dancing for a program record 198 yards, and also setting records for most rushing TD's (27), most carries in a game (38), and passing the 1,000 yard mark for 2011 (1,114).

Most importantly however, he led the Owls on a monster time consuming and game winning scoring drive (8:13) that put the contest out of reach aside from a last ditch on sides attempt by UAB.

"It was exciting, everyone was pumped," Morris said. "It has been a while since it has been like that. It was a great feeling."

The win also sent Blazer Head Coach Neil Callaway packing, as he was just let go this afternoon. Guess losing to a lowly 0-10 team was the final straw that broke the camel's back. Although five losing seasons will almost always allow you a free pass out the door. It's not all his fault however. Playing in the worst football stadium in all of DI while your board of leaders shoots down a plan to build a new one on campus doesn't help whatsoever. He may have just been done a favor.

But, back to the Owls.

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Aside from going into next Saturday on a win streak - even if it is only one game - obviously a pretty big week lies ahead with the Owls taking the field for the final time in the Schnellenberger era. As the father of Florida Atlantic Football, Schnellenberger has set records during his tenure that may never be broken.

- Fastest start-up program to Win a DI contest when defeating MTSU on August 28, 2003 in just 22nd game of existence
- FAU became the youngest start-up program to earn a bowl berth in 2007, traveling to New Orleans and defeating Memphis
- More bowl victories (6) than any other active coach who holds a perfect bowl record:

      1980 Peach Bowl, beat Virginia Tech 20-10
      1983 Orange Bowl, beat Nebraska 31-30
      1990 Fiesta Bowl, beat Alabama 34-7
      1993 Liberty Bowl, beat Michigan State 18-7
      2007 New Orleans Bowl, beat Memphis 44-27
      2008 Motor City Bowl, beat Central Michigan 24-20

With the dawn of a new man in charge quickly approaching, the thought of him not being on sideline is emotion provoking to say the least. There will be many tears shed next Saturday, but glad to know he will still be on our side helping to foster important University relationships within in his new role.

On to this week's match-up.

Last time on the field in Monroe, the Owls posted just 281 yards of net offense in a 20-17 loss to the Warhawks. ULM ran 19 more plays than Florida Atlantic while tossing the ball for 338 yards between a porous Owls' secondary. Play calling favored the run for the FAU, with 140 yards on 37 attempts (3.8 ypc) being the end result.

Unlike the Blazers, ULM has a stouter defense and enjoys slim margins in all of the weekly categories examined:

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The Warhawks' 387.5 ypg net offense has them ranked third amongst Sun Belt squads, while FAU is lining the bottom at 257.9 That's a tall order to overcome considering that they are also 2nd in total defense with 342.4 allowed and 1st in run defense at 102.8 ypg.

However, this has been a close series throughout, with the average margin of defeat being 3.14 points at the final horn. Given ULM's stinginess on the ground, expect a slightly lighter dose of Morris on Saturday with the necessity of Graham Wilbert continuing his solid play shown against the Blazers. The run game will need set-up help to send Schnellenberger out the right way, with none of these being worn providing a possible assist:

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Punter Mickey Groody's leg got some major rest against UAB with only one attempt on the day - the first time that had happened since back in 2009 when the Owls faced FIU - but will likely see more boots this weekend.

The Owls opened as +11.5 underdogs late today and after a quick 3 point adjustment now sit at +8.5.
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Hand the ball to Alfred 50 times...Im not kidding.

Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Can't do that, they are damn good at defending the run…….
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Rick said

Can't do that, they are damn good at defending the run…….

+1.

And if our coaches spend all day trying to run Morris, it will be obvious they didn't put any effort into game-planning for ULM.
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Excerpts from Monday's Sun Belt call

Howard Schnellenberger:

"Certainly we're delighted to have won our first game of the year and it was a very exciting game against a very talented UAB football team."

"I'm particularly proud of my football team because this win certainly demonstrates that this football team has continued to continue to keep the faith, continued to work and strive."

"They haven't felt sorry for themselves and laid it on the line against a good football team."

"It's the first win in our new stadium and it gives us an opportunity to win two games this year."


Todd Berry, Head Coach ULM:

On results this year…

"The season didn't go quite like we hoped, but we're really excited about this last ball game. The players are also. We're anxious to play this last game."

On FAU…

"Very athletic and they've had some tough breaks, but it seemed to have all come together last week."

"They played hard, fast, and obviously came out with a victory."
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Rick said

The Owls opened as +11.5 underdogs late today and after a quick 3 point adjustment now sit at +8.5.

Still going down…

+7 now.
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Per FAU release:

BOCA RATON, FL (November 30, 2011) – Florida Atlantic University Athletics will celebrate the final week of legendary Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s career with several upcoming events.

The farewell celebration will begin on Thursday, December 1, from 6 to 7 p.m., with the FAU SportsPage Radio show featuring Schnellenberger and Ken LaVicka, the voice of the Owls, at Duffy’s, 21212 Saint Andrews Blvd., in Boca Raton. The show will air live on ESPN760AM or at www.fausports.com. Schnellenberger will then serve as the host for the final FAU Coach’s Breakfast of the 2011 season, on Friday December 2, beginning at 8 a.m., in the Delray Acura Premiere Club level of the new on-campus stadium. This event is open to Owl Club members and their guests, and also will feature player recognition and a preview of the upcoming game.

Schnellenberger will take the field for his last time as head football coach of the FAU program on Saturday, December 3, at 3:30 p.m., at FAU Stadium, for the Owls’ final game of the 2011 season versus the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Schnellenberger will be escorted to the field through a tunnel made up of various family members, former players and special friends for a special ceremony to recognize the 17 senior players of the 2011 season. Fans will then be treated to a video chronicling Schnellenberger’s FAU career before the game begins at 4 p.m.

The first 10,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a voucher which can be redeemed at game’s end for a commemorative poster.

Tickets for the final game have been reduced to $5 for the Hootville section and $20 for east sideline seats, and can be purchased at 1-866-FAU-Owls or www.ticketmaster.com.
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Unfortunately I think they will have plenty of posters left... I hope I am wrong!
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Re: Schnellenberger's Finale - Game Week Thread: ULM @ FAU - 12/3/11 @ 4:00 p.m.

Really FAU? You can't even get the press release correct?

"the Owls’ final game of the 2011 season versus the University of Alabama-Birmingham."

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