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Louisville/FAU EDGE factors

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Louisville/FAU EDGE factors

I wonder if this guy put a lot of work into his formula.. ::)




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THE EDGE: Cards look to rebound after blowout

Matt Willinger
CardinalSports.com Staff Writer


CardinalSports.com
QUARTERBACK- On a team loaded with freshmen and sophomores, senior quarterback Danny Embick is the most experienced player in the Owls' lineup. Embick transferred from West Virginia in 2003 and has spent the past two seasons becoming acclimated with Coach Howard Schnellenberger's offense. He saw action in all but two games in 2004 and has started every contest this season. In his last outing, Embick threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns as the Owls' dropped their Sun Belt Conference opener to Louisiana-Monroe. On the season, Embick has completed 53.6 percent of his passes for an average of 172 yards per game. The key for the Owls' success will be Embick's efficiency. Through four games this season the senior has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions. Backing up Embick is the future of the FAU offense, McKinson Souverain. An extremely athletic redshirt freshman, Souverain is the fastest player on the team is already being groomed to take the reigns in 2006.


Brian Brohm had career bests in completions, attempts and yards against South Florida, but the Cards' still managed just 14 points. The sophomore will likely hit 1,000 yards passing Saturday against Florida Atlantic. On the season, Brohm has completed 68 percent of his passes for 936 yards. Brohm has been solid during his first three starts, but must have better protection if he wants to finish the season as the starter. The Louisville native was sacked four times and repeatedly knocked to the ground.




THE EDGE: Louisville




THE EDGE goes to Michael Bush and the Cards' running backs.
RUNNING BACK- Heading into Saturday's matchup with Louisville, the Owls' leading rusher is quarterback Danny Embick. The signal caller has carried the ball 47 times for 234 yards and averages 38.2 yards per game. Behind Embick, halfbacks DiIvory Edgecombe and Charles Pierre see the bulk of the team's carries. The sophomore and redshirt freshman are a young, but talented tandem that will be a force as the duo matures. Pierre averaged an amazing 10.1 yards per carry his senior season in high school and has already shown flashes of his raw talent this year. He has carried the ball 41 times this year and averages 24.5 yards per game. Edgecombe is the only Owl rusher to reach the end zone this year. In his last outing he carried the ball nine times for 58 yards. Blocking in the backfield for FAU are sophomore fullbacks B.J. Manley and Dominick Walker.


Without Eric Shelton doing the heavy lifting, the Louisville rushing game was a non-factor against South Florida. While juniors Michael Bush and Kolby Smith combined for 128 yards on 28 carries, the two were not effective in moving the ball down the field when it counted. Bush and Smith weren't given much room to maneuver and the line didn't show up or provide any blocks for the two. Look for Bush to have a break out game against Florida Atlantic. He has put up less-than-impressive numbers the past two games and will certainly not be shutout by the Owls' inexperienced front seven. Smith needs to see more carries. His running brings a change of pace to the offense and he is averaging 6.3 yards per carry on the year.




THE EDGE: Louisville


RECEIVERS? Entering the season, just one player in the FAU receiving corps had a single catch to his credit. That's why it's a little surprising that Owls' have scored most of their points through the air. The biggest playmaker in the group is senior Thomas Parker. After surfacing as a go-to guy last season, Parker has become the team's biggest deep threat. He has 12 receptions this for 211 yards and a touchdown. The senior was again the team's leading receiver in the Owls' meeting with LA-Monroe, when Parker reeled in five catches for 58 yards. Another speedster to keep an eye on is converted receiver Casey McGahee. The junior has played in every game the past two years, but on the other side of the ball. McGahee, a former defensive back, can turn simple catches into big gainers. His playmaking ability has prompted Schnellenberger to also use McGahee in return situations on special teams. Dantson Dareus suits up at tight end for the Owls. The senior doesn't catch too many passes, but is a reliable veteran.


After two 100+ receiving yard performances, Mario Urrutia has established himself as the premier playmaker in the Cardinals' receiving corps. The freshman is second on the team in all-purpose yards, despite the fact he didn't gain a single yard in the season opener. Seniors Joshua Tinch and Montrell Jones combined for 14 catches and 168 yards in the loss to the Bulls', but the game was already out-of-hand by the time they started making plays. For the second straight week, senior Broderick Clark will not be available for the contest against FAU. He is listed as week-to-week.




THE EDGE: Louisville


OFFENSIVE LINE- The biggest weakness on the offense, FAU's offensive line returns just two starters from a year ago and has virtually no depth to boast. After just four games, the unit has allowed 12 sacks. And with the average weight of the starters under 270 pounds, the unit has also struggled blocking for the run. Sophomore Jarrid Smith and junior Nello Faulk have been the bright spots on the line. They are fast on their feet and have also been effective pass blockers. Joining the two on the line is redshirt freshman Nick Paris at left guard, junior Stetson Wilson at right guard and junior Antes Perkins at right tackle.


The Louisville offensive line might as well not made the trip to Tampa. In what was the unit's worst performance in two seasons, the line allowed four sacks and provided virtually no blocking in the rushing attack. Coming off an outstanding performance a week earlier, the line's protection was non-existent against USF. The line was also flagged several times for illegal procedure and many holding penalties.




THE EDGE: Louisville

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Louisville/FAU EDGE factors

Many of the stats are wrong. For one; Embick has only netted 153 yards rushing. Another, he says the avg weight of the O line is under 270. Faulks weighs 270. He is the lightest. The avg weight of the FAU O line is 295. Paris brings it up quite a bit @ 329 (if that is his correct weight).

FAU - THE REAL SLEEPING GIANT
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