60 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #60: Carlton Falconer, and Patrick Gwynn.

Falconer was a OL from Fort Lauderdale (Dillard HS). Second team all-county in HS. redshirt in 2009. Played in a couple of games in 2010.

Gwynn was a LB from Lake Worth, FL (Santaluces). Team captain in HS.  Redshirt in 2006. In 2007, participated with the team at the New Orleans Bowl. 

Here is a shot of Gwynn:

59 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #59: Shomari Earls, and Ed Wertepny.

Earls was a LB from Lake Park, FL (Palm Beach Gradens HS). First team all-county in HS. In 2002, saw playing time as a true freshman. In the playoff year of 2003, played in every game on defense and special teams where he returned a punt and blocked a kick as well. Had 41 tackles that year. In 2004, moved into the starting lineup as middle linebacker. Had 81 tackles.

Wertepny was a OL from Tampa (Sickles HS). Hillsborough County all star in HS where he played Tight End. In 2006, worked his way up the depth chart but an injury forced him to redshirt. In 2007, played in 3 games. In 2008, played in 10 games and made the transition from TE to OL. In 2009, saw action in every game, both on the line and special teams.

Here is Wertepny in action:

58 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #58: Dino Cox, and Mustafa Johnson.

Cox was a DL from Tampa (Wharton HS). First team all-county and second team all-state in HS. In 2007, saw action as a true freshman including the New Orleans Bowl. In 2008, played in 11 games including the Motor City Bowl. In 2009, played in every game and recorded his first career sack against South Carolina.

Johnson was a OL from Corona, CA (Norco HS). Transferred from Riverside Community College where he was an all-academic. In 2012, played center in every game and started in 11. Became a team leader on and off the field.

Here is Cox in action (L), and Johnson in for some shopping (R).

57 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #57: Jason Pugh, and Vinnie Henderson.

Pugh was a LB from Atlantic Beach, FL (Fletcher HS). All-conference in HS. Redshirted inaugural year of 2001. In 2002, played in 4 games. In the playoff year of 2003, he worked his way into the starting line up prior to a knee injury.  In 2004, played in 10 games after recovering from knee injury.

Henderson was a OT from Plantation (South Plantation HS). Second team all-county on defense in HS. Redshirted in 2004.  In 2005, played in 6 games primarily as a back up guard and played defense. In 2006, played in one game on defense, and continued the transition from defense to offense. In 2007, played in 10 games on the O-Line and on special teams. Participated in the team's first bowl game in New Orleans.

Here is Henderson in action.

56 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #56: Andy Czuprynski, and Frantz Joseph.

Czuprynski was a DL, then a OL from Venice, FL (Venice HS). Used 2008 as his redshirt season, but traveled with the team to the Motor City Bowl. In 2009, played in 11 games and had several starts on defense. In 2010, moved to the OL and was the only owl lineman to start every game. In 2011, started every game and had started 24 games in a row. Was a team captain for the FIU game.

Joseph was a LB from Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale HS). Team MVP in HS and a all-America student-athlete award. In 2004, was recruited to Boston College but did not play as a freshman. Transferred to FAU and sat out in 2005. In 2006, jumped into the strating lineup and played in 11 games. became known for his hard hits. In 2007, one of two Sun Belt players named to the Butkus Watch List. led the team in tackles against OSU, Minnesota, Florida, and Troy. Game ball winner against Arkansas State. Recorded 10 tackles in the New Orleans Bowl. Named to the 2008 Lombardi Award Preliminary Watch List.

Here is Czuprynski on the field (L), and Joseph (R) stopping by for a visit.

Was watching Joseph the other night in the 2007 New Orlean's Bowl…guy was relentless.

55 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #55: Dimitri Jacques, and Joseph Bailey.

Jacques was a DL from Miami (Miami Beach HS). Named best LB at Butch Davis camp and was an All-America nominee in HS. Was able to enroll at FAU early (January) in 2001 because of his academics and played in seven games in the inaugural season as a true freshman. In 2002, played in 5 games. In the playoff year of 2003, played in 5 games but was limited with injuries.

Bailey was a OL from Kissimmee (Gateway HS). All-Conference and Academic Honors student in HS. Used his redshirt in 2008. Did not see action in 2009. In 2010, played in every game with a couple of starts at Right tackle. In 2011, palyed every game and saw action at 3 different line positions.

Here is Bailey on the field.

54 days until FAU Football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #54: Chris McKinley, and Michael Hancock.

McKinley was a LB from Rockledge, FL (Rockledge HS). Second team all-state in HS. Played in every game as a true freshman in the inaugural 2001 season. In 2002, played in every game and was named the football team's scholar athlete of the year. In 2003, played in every game and was also recognized as the team's Scholar Athlete. Recorded 5 tackles in each of the playoff games.

Hancock was a DE from Parkland (Coral Springs Christian). Two-time all-conference in HS. Took his redshirt in 2004. In 2005, played in 7 games and was asked to play TE and OL due to injuries. In 2006, moved to DE and played in 6 games primarily on special teams. In 2007, had significant playing time and 1 start. Was a strength on special team. Played in the New Orleans Bowl, a win over Memphis.

Here is Hancock on the field.

53 days until FAU Football kicks off!

A former Owl who wore #53: Samuel McRoy.

McRoy was a OT from Jacksonville (William M. Raines HS). Second team all-conference in HS. Redshirted in 2007. Did not see action in 2008, but traveled with the team to the Motor City Bowl. In 2009, played in 10 games on the line and on special teams. In 2010, strated 11 games at left tackle. Earned a spot on Phil Steele's preseason all SBC team in 2011.

Here is McRoy on the field.

52 days until FAU football kicks off!

Some former Owls who wore #52: Joe Walker, and Chris Newbold.

Walker was a LB from Pompano Beach (Deerfield Beach HS). All-county and all-state in HS. Played in 7 games in the inaugural 2001 season. In 2002, played in 10 games and had a season high 6 tackles against UConn. Played in all 14 games in the playoff year of 2003. Had 4 tackles against Middle Tenn, the program's first 1-A victory.

Newbold was a OL from Fort Lauderdale (Pembroke Pines Charter). Played both sides of the ball in HS and earned first team all-county honors. Redshirted in 2007. In 2008, played in 1 game against North Texas. In 2010, played in 11 games, all starts on the line and on special teams.

Here is Newbold on the field.