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FAU vs UNT Game Balls and Grades...

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FAU vs UNT Game Balls and Grades...

Great to get a "W", but a 44-40 road to victory needs to change.

Game Balls:

UNT

Lance Dunbar - Although he is not an Owl, the guy has some serious wheels…not sure how UNT landed him, but he is going to be a consistent factor for the Mean Green.

Nathan Tune - The back-up QB was impressive, and filled in nicely for Riley Dodge.  The deep ball he threw over the middle was right on the money.  Can't think of another SBC team who has a capable back-up that can pass.  He looks to be solid at the number 2.

FAU

Rusty Smith - Got back to true form, although it was against a defense that was also lackluster.  Regardless, if he plays this way each game from here out, we are in the hunt. No INT's is a big plus.

Alfred Morris - How about we just go ahead and give him one for the rest of the season to save some time.  Best back we have ever put on the field IMO, and it should only get better for him as he continues to mature in the system.  1,000 yards is going to crumble well before season's end. Whatever he gets before contact, just add on the same amount and that will be his carry total.

Grades:

Offense B+

Play calling was solid, and the players responded accordingly.  Minimized drop passes, although there were still some, and moved the ball well in a time controlling selection.

Defense C-

Can't put all of the blame on one particular unit, but overall, it was pretty bad.  However, they did get stops at critical times late, when it counted most.

Special Teams B-

Sincere desire must emerge on FG and extra point attempts.  It is almost like we are out there at times just to take up space - formality. The blocked extra point shows this.  No sense of urgency.  No heart.  We need more structure, and more strategic and designed play calling.  We also need a punt returner.  We were effective on kick off coverage however.

Coaching B-

We moved the ball on the ground.  And that is because the plays were called. Match-ups surely played a part in this, but from here out we should be able to so the same thing. The designed run for Rusty was a feather in Jackson's cap.  Worked like a charm.  The defensive scheme, however, did not.  That weights the grade down for this week. The 3-4 may be worth the look from here out given the offenses we will face.
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Stats (Smiles and Cries)

Defense
116th in pts allowed/game (36.8 pt/game between Tulane and New Mexico)  :'( >:(

114th in total yd allowed/game (461.4 yd/game between San Jose St and UAB)  :'(  >:(

75th in passing yd allowed/game (227.2 yd/game between Northwestern and Miss St)  :(

117th in rush yd allowed/game (234.2 yd/game between FIU and Eastern Michigan).  The worst of it is that even if we take out the BCS opponents (which usually skew the average) FAU would still rank 110th with 206 yd allowed/game.  :'(  >:(

DEAD last in average yd/rush allowed with 6.2 yd/carry.  Compare that to the FBS average allowed of 3.9 yd/carry.  :'(  >:(

Overall - The defense's big weakness is against the run.  Even when against comparable opponents the Defense has given up on average over 200 yd/game on the ground.  Fundamental changes must be made if FAU is going to be successful the rest of the season.

Grade - D-

Offense
89th in the nation in points/game.  (23.2 pt/game between Temple and Minnesota)  :(

33rd in the nation in total yd/game (413.2 yd/game between Michigan State and Oklahoma State).  :)

21st in the nation in passing yd/game (272.6 yd /game between Texas and UNLV)  ;D

64th in the nation in rushing yd/game (140.6 yd/game between Arizona State and Buffalo)  :-\

T-60th in the nation in yds/rush (4.1 yd/rush between Ohio State and Florida State)  :-\

Overall - The offense is getting the yards, but that is not translating to points.  If we were ranked 33rd in points/game we would be getting around 31 points, which is basically 1 more TD per game.  If we get 1 more TD per game we are 3-2 (2-0), with a respectable showing against South Carolina.  We need to get Morris 25+ touches per game, stop with the 3 and outs that put our poor playing defense back out on the field, and turn the yards into points.

Grade - B-

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: Stats (Smiles and Cries)

SeminOwl, do you mind if i merge this with the Game balls and grades thread for continuity?
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Re: Stats (Smiles and Cries)

No problem

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: FAU vs UNT Game Balls and Grades...

Thanks, done!

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Re: FAU vs UNT Game Balls and Grades...

Owls shut out of player of week honors; ugly defensive stats; Alfred Morris rising

by Tom D'Angelo

Despite gaining 528 yards on offense and outstanding performances by RB Alfred Morris, WR Chris Bonner and QB Rusty Smith Saturday at North Texas, the Owls were shutout of the Sun Belt player of the week honors.

Troy quarterback Levi Brown was named offensive player of the week for completing 28-of-37 passes for 391 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-33 victory over FIU. Smith was 21-of-40 for 308 yards. He had three touchdowns passes and one score on the ground. Morris had a career high 147 rushing yards and Bonner established his career highs with six catches for 134 yards.

The only argument against Brown being named POW is North Texas back Lance Dunbar may have deserved the honor for the second consecutive week, or at least a co-mention. Dunbar ripped through the Owls defense for 238 yards and three scores. He captured the honor the previous week for gaining 187 yards against Lafayette.

Defense falling fast

The numbers are in for the defense, and they are not pretty:

Against the run: 234.2 yard per game, 117th in the nation.

Scoring defense: 36.8 points per game, 116th in the nation.

Total defense: 461.4 yards per game, 114th in the nation.

Pass efficiency defense: 149.99, 109th in the nation.

Against the pass: 227.2 yards per game, 75th in the nation.

But on the bright side. …

Alfred Morris is now 16th in the nation with 104.8 yards per game, the passing offense is 21st with 272.60 yards per game and the Owls are 33rd in total offense with 413.2 yards per game.

Morris is one spot ahead of Dunbar nationally and he leads the Sun Belt. Dunbar is averaging 103.8 yards per game.
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Re: FAU vs UNT Game Balls and Grades...

I think we are all in agreement that we better patch the holes in the tires before the FAU bus gets left behind ;D

We desperately need to make some changes on defense–we have a bunch of talent on this team and anything short of a bowl game is a huge disappointment :'(


GO OWLS!
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Re: FAU vs UNT Game Balls and Grades...

Ha I'm always glad to help out the local scribe!  :P

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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