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Work in Progress



FAU edged out their first win of the season last weekend, but that doesn't mean offensive coordinator Brian Wright is content with the results.

The Owls produced just two offensive touchdowns against USF, and won only the second game in school history without passing for 100 yards or more.

Wright was quick to the point Tuesday morning when asked about the current state of the offense.

"We played bad offensive football," Wright said. "We got to get that cleaned up. It was one guy going the wrong way, one guy dropping the ball, one guy missing a guy that we needed on the personnel end, so it was everything."

The Owls host Middle Tennessee State Saturday at noon, and Wright is hoping to clean up an offense that for the most part has been ineffective this season. FAU ranks 122nd in the country in total offense and has turned the ball over five times.

Quarterback Jaquez Johnson was functional against USF, but according to Wright that isn’t enough. The sophomore continues to make corked decisions in the pocket and has limited the development of the passing game.

"He's got to throw the ball better. We have to have a better completion percentage. He's got to get his feet under him to deliver the correct ball, so I still think it's technique. [Jaquez] has certain throws that he throws better than others, so we got to do a good job of getting him the ones he throws well,” Wright said.

FAU was able to move the ball on the ground in the second half against USF, and Wright credited both the play of Johnson and the offensive line. Johnson carried the ball a career-high 18 times and finished with 55 yards rushing while running back Jonathan Wallace added another 65 yards.

Senior center Mustafa Johnson, who is the vocal leader in the huddle, feels that the offense is growing with Johnson and last Saturday was the first time the quarterback was confident on the field.

“I think it’s kind of slowed down for him [Jaquez] and he’s got some confidence. Throughout the course of the game he was making some calls and ready to make some plays, and that was a first for him,” Johnson said.

The Owls will stick with Johnson against Middle Tennessee State, and if everything goes as planned there will be no rotation at quarterback.

“We're just trying to convince our guys to play to win,” Wright said. “Im expecting Jaquez to play well, and I'm expecting him to take care of it and give us a chance to win.”

Notes

-Wide receiver Lucky Whitehead has missed the pass two games with an ankle injury, but practiced on Tuesday. Wright stated after practice that he expects Whitehead to be in the lineup against MTSU. Former quarterback Melvin German also saw time in the slot, which was a first for him.

-Senior running back Damian Fortner has returned from his three-game suspension, but according to Wright he’s well behind Wallace and freshman Jay Warren on the depth chart. Wright mentioned that Fortner will have his work cut out for him.

-Right guard Mikingson Marsaille didn’t practice on Tuesday and Christopher Chappell was in his spot. Chappell started the last game in the place of Marsaille and fared well.

Rating

Unrated