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2017 FAU Spring Football

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Notables from Spring Football Session 6…

· The Owls worked through individual drills, a team session, special team sessions and a scrimmage session with officials, the first one under the direction of the new staff.

· It was a big day for redshirt sophomore defensive back Richie Kittles, who had an interception and a pass breakup during the scrimmage.

· The offense put highlights on film with nice runs by sophomores “Motor” Devin Singletary and Kerrith Whyte, Jr.  Redshirt freshman James Charles also had gains that moved the chains. And, senior Marcus Clark had a 30-yard carry.

· Quarterbacks Jason Driskel, a redshirt junior, and De’Andre Johnson, a redshirt sophomore, began working first-and-ten at the opponents’ 20. They then shifted to their own 20 and worked to move the ball downfield.

· The duo found Singletary out of the backfield and redshirt sophomore receiver “Pico” Tavaris Harrison and redshirt senior receiver Kalib Woods.

· Kittles was not the only defender wreaking havoc on the quarterbacks. Both Sidney Smith IV, a redshirt freshman defensive tackle, and redshirt freshman corner Korel Smith batted down would-be passes.

Head Coach Lane Kiffin

“There was lack of effort stuff today. I think the guys felt sorry for themselves. It was a little bit hotter than normal. Coming out on a Saturday, knowing it was going to be long with a scrimmage format. It was the first time guys were going with us and they have to get use to our standards. So, it was disappointing, but we will go to work on it.”

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Notables from Spring Football Session 7…

· Team 3rd down segment saw redshirt junior quarterback Jason Driskel find sophomore receiver John Mitchell on the first play of the session.

· Senior running back “Buddy” Gregory Howell, Jr. also moved the chains and the defense was credited with a sack.

· Redshirt sophomore quarterback De’Andre Johnson used his legs to move the chains while also finding receivers Bobby Mitchell, a redshirt junior, and James Brunson, a redshirt sophomore, for chain movers.

· J’Quan Napier, a redshirt sophomore that is using the spring to move from receiver to defensive back, broke up a pass 15 yards down the sideline.

· Sophomore running back “Motor” Devin Singletary made his way down the sideline for a big gain and redshirt sophomore back Kerrith Whyte had a 20-yard gain.

· Rotating through once more, Driskel hit senior receivers Henry Bussey and Kamrin Solomon with 40- and 15-yard strikes, respectively.

· He later found receivers Bobby Mitchell and redshirt sophomore “Pico” Tavaris Harrison, as well as sophomore tight ends Harrison Bryant and John Raine downfield.

· Johnson went back to work to find Harrison and to help the run game with his legs as well as dishing it off to Singletary, senior Marcus Clark and redshirt freshman James Charles.

· The defense continued to apply pressure and was credited with their second sack of the session.


Head Coach Lane Kiffin

“The defense really did well today. We got on them a lot Saturday after watching the tape…coaches did a really good job of getting them ready to play today and to come out with really good energy. They kinda got after the offense, which is good to see. I want it to go back and forth - I don’t want one side to dominate every day.”


The Owls will return to the field on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s noon practice at Carter Park which will be open to the public.
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Notables from today's Spring Football scrimmage session at Carter Park…


  • Sophomore Rashad Smith exemplified the tone of the defense with a tackle for loss on the second play of the day

  • The defensive twos got into the action with a sack during the next series.

  • The carries were primarily handled by sophomore "Motor" Devin Singletary, redshirt sophomore Kerrith Whyte, Jr. and "Buddy" Gregory Howell, Jr.

  • Several of the receivers contributed to the ball moving down field with redshirt junior Bobby Mitchell making one highlight catch after another, including two scores.

  • Senior Kamrin Solomon, redshirt sophomore LaDante Harris and James Brunson, redshirt freshman Dominic Milanese and Kyle McGriff were all credited with receptions during the live portion of practice.

  • The defense was driven by redshirt senior Haiden Nagel who had a sack and broke up a pass over the middle.

  • Redshirt freshman Jordan Helm hauled in an interception and a 30-yard return before being brought down on the midfield logo.

  • Redshirt junior Jacoby Blackmon, who is making the move from offensive line to defense cradled in a fumble near the 25-yard line.

  • The special teams unit also got in a little work with redshirt senior Greg Joseph connecting on two field goals while redshirt freshman Patrick Trepcos made good on his extra point attempt.

Head Coach Lane Kiffin

"The number one good thing is - we came out without any serious injuries for our first day of scrimmaging. We got about 45 plays for the ones and about 45 plays for the twos. So, we will be able to evaluate the film on that. Both sides of the ball did well for us and it was their first time doing it. We are not doing as much, maybe, as normal with the depth issues. We were going to scrimmage the last two Saturdays. We went ahead and did it today, probably not next Saturday and then we will be live for the Spring Game."

"I thought the defense came out very different than the offense. The defense came out like it was a game. The offense came out like it was a practice. It should have been a sack in the fourth series. It really should have been four three and outs in a row. So, a really good job by the defense. The offense rallied a little bit, but a really good day for the defense by not giving up a bunch of big plays, which has been an issue."

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Notables from Spring Football session 10…

· First team period saw senior “Buddy” Gregory Howell, Jr. and “Motor” Devin Singletary draw the bulk of the carries, while senior Marcus Clark and Kerrith Whyte, Jr. both had big plays.

· Senior defensive back Raekwon Williams was credited with a pass breakup.

· The second team period was dedicated to the Owls work on third down situations. Redshirt sophomore “Pico” Tavaris Harrison, redshirt freshman Dominic Milanese and senior Kamrin Solomon recorded big receptions while junior Ocie Rose snagged an interception.

· The next session concentrated on second down situations. Solomon and Harrison had catches while Singletary had a nice run. Redshirt sophomore Antony Bennett led the defense with a sack.

· The Owls moved into red zone work with redshirt sophomore quarterback De’Andre Johnson finding sophomore tight end John Raine for a score and then repeated the same connection.

· Redshirt junior quarterback Jason Driskel found redshirt sophomore receiver LaDante Harris in the end zone.

· Driskel also utilized the ground game, dishing to Clark who found the end zone on two consecutive attempts.

· Driskel then kept the ball for another score.

· The Owls moved into second half work, without the benefit of a halftime break.

· Driskel quickly worked down field with four connections to sophomore John Mitchell, redshirt junior Bobby Mitchell, senior Nate Terry and then to redshirt sophomore James Brunson before giving it to Clark for a 10-yard gain on the ground.

· Driskel then completed four more passes in various situations before redshirt senior defensive lineman Haiden Nagel got his hands on the ball for a pass defense.

Head Coach Lane Kifin

“Again, we kind of got a common theme of the defense doing really well, starting really fast and the offense making plays toward the end. So, we have got to fix that. We were down 21 to nothing at the beginning of this practice."

"Our offense has got to get going right away, like our defense has. I’m very pleased with our defense - very different from our first couple of practices. Our coaches and players have done a really good job of eliminating the big plays, which was a major issue the first couple of practices. ”
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Notables from Spring Football session 11…

· Sophomore running back “Motor” Devin Singletary had the first carry of the second team session. He outran the defense for the score.

· The offense was charged with a false start and then saw junior corner Shelton Lewis haul in the day’s first interception. He later added a fumble recovery.

· The second team defense then recorded a sack, but saw the offense move the chains on third downs by taking advantage of receptions by redshirt sophomore Kerrith Whyte and senior running back Marcus Clark, who came into play later in the day.

· Redshirt junior quarterback Jason Driskel connected to senior Kamrin Solomon, who then got in a foot race with defensive back junior Ocie Rose. Rose won the battle and prevented the score.

· The next group of highlights were made by the defenders as they took advantage of tipped passes. Redshirt junior Jake Stoshak was the first to be credited with an INT while sophomore Da’Von followed.

· Clark then had a scoring reception as did “Pico” Tavaris Harrison.

· Special teams came into play when graduate student Greg Joseph connected on his lone field goal opportunity.

· Lewis and sophomore corner Chris Tooley added to the turnover tally with recovered fumbles.
 
Head Coach Lane Kiffin

“So, as always there is something good and something bad. We have a turnover issue going on, which I really do credit the defense. They have done a great job. [In] our team meeting today, on defense, we had on a reel of NFL plays, just like exact turnovers for our guys. Our guys are doing a great job of getting the ball out and going after the ball. Unfortunately on offense, we have to protect the ball a lot better. That will be a huge emphasis before Saturday.”
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Notables from Spring Football session 12…

· The Owls worked a situation scrimmage and were afforded the opportunity for officials during the team portion.

· Both the offense and defense staffs used headsets throughout the day to allow the new coaching staff to become accustomed to each other and to work on their communications.

· The Owls divided up the plays among the one’s, two’s and three’s for each situation.

· FAU special teams also received more opportunities than on Saturday than they have in previous practices.

· Graduate student Greg Joseph connected on a 26-yarder and narrowly missed a 41-yarder that had snap and hold miscues.

· Receiver work was highlighted by big receptions from redshirt freshman Dominic Milanese, redshirt sophomore Dante Cousart, senior Kamrin Solomon, redshirt junior Bobby Mitchell, senior Henry Bussey III and sophomore tight end John Raine.

· The defense added to the day’s highlights with a sack by sophomore Kevin McCrary and senior Haiden Nagel.

· Senior lineman Nick Internicola recorded a solo sack.

· Not long after that, redshirt junior Andrew Soroh hauled in an interception.

· Redshirt junior linebacker Kris Harris and junior defensive end Damian Horton each recorded pass defenses as did junior corner Herb Miller.

Head Coach Lane Kiffin

 “Good day today from an offensive perspective, which was good. We had some issues with our offense. They did a good job. They went right down the field the first three series…good to see our guys respond that way and limit turnovers. Because those have been the two issues. It was good to see.”
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owlcountry40 said


It also appears that DeAndre is pulling away with the job. The speed and the ability to drive the ball down field seems to separate him from the rest. He does throw a head scratcher sometimes but that should get better with timing and experience.

As for the defense it is hard to tell this spring. We could have 6-7 new starters come the 1st game when you include guys like Al, Hunter and Ray are all out with injuries and throw in the 5 Juco guy who will be here in the summer no one can even give the D a true grade.
It will help in the long run though that many guys are seeing a lot of playing time this spring who normally wouldn't and should help with depth.

Posted On: Apr 17th 2017, 11:18 AM #368354

Head scratchers? I'd rather see mind blowing than head scratchers.

Defensively, how are we looking at the linebacker position? Still a major concern IMO.
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Rick said

Notables from Spring Football session 10…

· The Owls moved into red zone work with redshirt sophomore quarterback De’Andre Johnson finding sophomore tight end John Raine for a score and then repeated the same connection.

· Redshirt junior quarterback Jason Driskel found redshirt sophomore receiver LaDante Harris in the end zone.

· Driskel also utilized the ground game, dishing to Clark who found the end zone on two consecutive attempts.

· Driskel then kept the ball for another score.

· Driskel quickly worked down field with four connections to sophomore John Mitchell, redshirt junior Bobby Mitchell, senior Nate Terry and then to redshirt sophomore James Brunson before giving it to Clark for a 10-yard gain on the ground.

· Driskel then completed four more passes in various situations before redshirt senior defensive lineman Haiden Nagel got his hands on the ball for a pass defense.

Posted On: Apr 11th 2017, 7:11 PM #368285


Rick, I hear a lot about Driskel and Johnson… is Steven Frank getting a significant number of snaps while Parr is recovering from surgery?
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If anyone believes that Johnson will not be the starting QB against Navy (bar injury of course) you're kidding yourself.  Driskel will be a solid backup and Frank is the future two years from now.

GO OWLS!
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dusky256fc said

If anyone believes that Johnson will not be the starting QB against Navy (bar injury of course) you're kidding yourself.  Driskel will be a solid backup and Frank is the future two years from now.
Posted On: Apr 18th 2017, 8:25 AM #368358

I'm not sure there's anyone who thinks differently regarding Johnson being the starter.  
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