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OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Here is another Bowl game Preview:

Link - Bleacher Report:

R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Preview: Memphis Tigers vs. Florida Atlantic

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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Here is an article from the NOLA.com - Times-Picayune:

Link:

ERROR: A link was posted here (url) but it appears to be a broken link.

N.O. bowl teams eager to play

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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Owls vs. Tigers!

Posted by Ted Lewis, Times-Picayune December 06, 2007 12:41PM
Categories: New Orleans Bowl
AP / Gotigersgo.com

There's no NCAA record for the quickest a program has gone from its inception to winning a conference championship and qualifying for a bowl game.

But Florida Atlantic's mark will be hard to beat.

Playing in only its 82nd game and seventh season, the Owls claimed the Sun Belt Conference championship and the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl berth that goes with it by holding off Troy 38-32 Saturday in Troy, Ala.

Florida Atlantic (7-5, 6-1) will play Memphis in the Dec. 21 bowl game at the Superdome.

"We're now stepping into the ascending spiral of championship play and postseason bowl play," said veteran Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger, who came out of retirement to start the program in 1998. "Those are the things that the traditional programs have had going for them year after year, and so their strengths are perpetuated.

"It's hard to start an upward spiral. But at this juncture, everything is going positive for our program."

Saturday's victory didn't come easily.

The Owls were 16-point underdogs on the road against the defending conference champions

But after trailing 9-7 at halftime, Florida Atlantic scored three touchdowns in the third quarter and another on the first play of the fourth to take a 35-12 lead.

The Trojans (8-4, 6-1) came back with three touchdowns of their own against a Florida Atlantic field goal, cutting the Owls' lead to six points and getting the ball to the Florida Atlantic 32 in the closing minutes.

But after Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook gained 2 yards on first down, he threw three consecutive incomplete passes to end the threat and give Florida Atlantic its first victory against the Trojans in five tries.

"I was proud of the way we accumulated those 28 points," Schnellenberger said. "But Troy made a great effort in a losing cause and demonstrated how classy a team they are.

"We had to take a delaying action there in the closing minutes. Holding them off meant some important character building, but also a sign of some problems we've got to get straightened out."

Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith passed for 291 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Owls. Cortez Ghent had eight catches for 155 yards.

Two of Florida Atlantic's three third-quarter touchdowns were set up by fumble recoveries by Kris Bartels.

Florida Atlantic, which is located in Boca Raton, is in only its third season as full-fledged member of Division I-A. The Owls were in the 2003 Division I-AA playoffs, winning two games before losing in the semifinals, but 73-year-old Schnellenberger, who led Miami to the 1983 national championship, said Saturday's victory was easily the most significant in the program's short history.

"This has major ramifications," he said. "The others were mainly for building esprit de corps.

"Now we have shown we can be successful at a higher level, not to mention the fact we have qualified for a bowl game and will be playing in the Superdome."

How many fans the Owls will bring to the New Orleans Bowl remains to be seen. Florida Atlantic was 109th in average attendance in I-A this year at 15,745, including a sellout crowd of 21,406 against then-No. 2 South Florida.

"It's going to be a challenge," New Orleans Bowl Executive Director Billy Ferrante said. "Florida Atlantic is further from New Orleans than the other Sun Belt teams we've had.

"But we will do everything we can to help them in their market to sell tickets and give their fans a reason to come to New Orleans. We know they are very fired up and enthusiastic about being in our bowl."
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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Scouts, Inc. preview via ESPN insider…

Memphis at Florida Atlantic Matchups

Memphis Offense vs. Florida Atlantic Defense

The Tigers' offense has put up some of the best numbers in school history this season thanks in part to the arm of QB Martin Hankins. Hankins leads an aerial attack that ranks 13th in the nation for passing yards and has been efficient throwing 22 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. Hankins has had a pair of receivers in Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton. Calhoun has turned into the team's go-to receiver this year while Singleton stands 6-foot-8 and has been a dangerous red zone threat with a team-leading 10 touchdown receptions. Hankins and Co. will be challenged this week by an outstanding secondary with experience and speed. Tavious Polo, Corey Small and Taheem Acevedo combined for 17 interceptions this year.

The Owls' defense has had a knack for creating turnovers this season and they possess the No. 1 ranking in turnover margin at +19. It will be crucial that the Tigers take care of the ball and establish a ground-game threat. The Tigers will rely on RB Joseph Doss to handle most of carries, but it will be tough sledding for Doss as the Owls' run defense has been stingy. Look for a group of talented LBs in Frantz Joseph and Cergile Sincere to keep Doss corralled, making the Tigers' offense one dimensional allowing the Owls to pin their ears back and try and get after Hankins. This will be easier said than done as the Memphis offensive line has been stout in pass protection, allowing just 13 sacks all year.


Florida Atlantic Offense vs. Memphis Defense
The Owls have had a very potent offense this year thanks to the emergence of sophomore QB Rusty Smith and an improved ground game anchored by an experienced offensive line. RB Charles Pierre is a strong runner with adequate size (210 pounds) and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. This does not bode well for a Tigers defense that ranks in bottom 20 against the run this year. ILB Jake Kasser is the leader of this Memphis defense and is the lone remaining LB from the original three starters at the beginning of the year. The other two have been lost to injuries during the year, bringing youth and inexperience to this unit. This will put added pressure on the Tigers' defensive line to be stout up front. Also look for DS Brandon Patterson to continue to come up and help out in run support as he has 71 tackles this season.

As if there isn't enough to worry about with the running attack, the Tigers will have their hands full with Smith, who has put up outstanding numbers this season. Smith has thrown for 3,352 yards with 27 touchdowns compared to just seven interceptions and has done a great job of managing the game. Smith will be throwing to a receiving corps that has plenty of speed, led by WR Cortez Gent who has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark receiving this year, along with nine touchdowns. Smith will also look for his TE Jason Harmon, who has been productive in the pass game as well. Look for big plays out of Smith and Co., especially if the Tigers have to drop Patterson near the box to help out in run support, leaving corners Lakeitharun Ford and LeRico Mathis on islands against an explosive receiving corps.


Key individual matchup
Memphis WR Carlos Singleton vs. Florida Atlantic CB Tavious Polo
Polo possesses short area quickness and with his team-leading seven interceptions has shown solid ball skills. Polo will be tested though, as he stands just 5-foot-10, 160 pounds and gives up a substantial size advantage to the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Singleton. Polo should have no problem sticking with Singleton out of his breaks, but could have trouble in the red zone, where Singleton excels going up and high-pointing the fade. Look for the Owls to counter, helping out Polo with safety help over the top in the red zone. This could open up holes for the Tigers' ground game near the end zone. Polo will have to do a solid job of getting a jam on Singleton, not allowing him a clean release and disrupting the timing between him and Hankins. If Polo fails to get a good jam it could allow Singleton to add to his 10-touchdown total.
Memphis PK Matt Reagan has hit on just 15 of 22 attempts this year and has yet to show he can hit from long range as he has missed all three attempts from 40 yards and beyond. Reagan will also handle the kickoffs and has not shown a big leg in that department either recording just one touchback in 48 kicks. Owls KR DiIvory Edgecomb is averaging just 22.8 yards per return and will have to work hard for his yards this week as the Tigers' coverage has been up to par this year. The Tigers' punt unit has struggled this year as a whole, ranking 118th statistically, but fortunately for them they will be facing a very mediocre Owls return unit.

Special Teams
Owls' PK Warley Leroy has struggled with his accuracy hitting on just 18 of 26 attempts, but has shown solid range with a long of 46 yards. Leroy will also handle the kickoff duties; he has been very average, recording just three touchbacks in 37 attempts. Owls' P Keegan Peterson is averaging 40.5 yards per punt, but has struggled with his accuracy, placing just six of 39 punts inside the 20.

There is concern for the Owls, as both of their coverage units have struggled. They have allowed a combined three touchdowns this year and rank near the bottom statistically in both categories. Tigers return men Earnest Williams and Michael Grandberry have been productive with their returns and will look to break a big play against the mediocre coverage of the Owls.

Scouts' Edge
This will be one of the more exciting games to watch all bowl season as both teams possess explosive offenses that have the ability to put up a lot of points. Expect a back-and-forth, high scoring battle with very little defense. In the end, though, the Owls' defense will be able to create enough turnovers to make the difference and come up with a close, hard-fought victory.

Prediction: Owls 48, Tigers 42

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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Great article in today's Sun Sentinel.

Did you also know Joe Namath's daughter goes to FAU ? Funny how things come full circle.

3 days and counting !!!

GO OWLS !!!
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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Hows her arm?
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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

TSX GameScout preview:

==============
MEMPHIS vs. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
==============

GAME SNAPSHOT
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
MEMPHIS (7-5) VS. FLORIDA ATLANTIC (7-5)
KICKOFF: 12/21/07, 8 ET
VENUE: Louisiana Superdome; (capacity) 68,500
TV: ESPN2
SURFACE: AstroPlay
SERIES: 0-0

OVERVIEW: This is the first bowl game for Florida Atlantic, still in its relative infancy as a football program, and the fourth in five years for Memphis. Memphis didn't appear to be on its way to a bowl after a 2-4 start but rebounded to win five of its past seven games, closing out the regular season with a 55-52 triple-overtime victory against SMU on Nov. 24. This is Memphis' second New Orleans Bowl and its third indoor bowl in the past five years. Memphis won both indoor games – the 2003 New Orleans Bowl in the Louisiana Superdome and the 2005 Motor City Bowl at Detroit's Ford Field. Coached by 73-year-old Howard Schnellenberger, better known for his success with Miami (Fla.) and Louisville, Florida Atlantic is 7-5 in its seventh year of existence and third in Division I-A. The Owls won their final two games of the season on the road, including a 38-32 victory over Sun Bowl, to win the Sun Belt. They have never won three consecutive games as a Div. I-A member.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Tigers
  –QB Martin Hankins – Passing for 2,939 yards and 22 TDs in 10 games is impressive enough, but Hankins has been done a good job cutting down on turnovers, making better decisions and coming through in the clutch as a senior. He was at his best throwing a game-winning touchdown against Tulane with 36 seconds left and throwing two TD passes in the final 4:21 against Southern Miss.
  –WR Duke Calhoun – Calhoun has emerged as Memphis' go-to receiver as a 6-4 true sophomore with 58 receptions for 850 yards and five TDs, despite missing most of two games with a knee injury. He has caught a pass in all 23 games in his college career and has surpassed 100 receiving yards four times in the past six games.
  –WR Carlos Singleton – When Memphis took a chance on a 6-foot-8 receiver, the coaches knew it would be boom or bust. Singleton is getting stronger and better with time and experience and leads the team with 10 TD receptions to go with 47 catches and 704 yards.
  –LB Jake Kasser – With 28 tackles over the past three games, Kasser leads Memphis with 95 tackles and three fumble recoveries. With the loss of three starting linebackers, Kasser is the lone survivor among the original three who started the opener.

Owls
  –QB Rusty Smith – The sophomore has thrown for 3,352 yards and 27 touchdowns, while throwing only seven interceptions.
  –WR Cortez Gent – The sophomore leads FAU with 61 receptions for 1,030 yards and nine touchdowns.
  –LBs Frantz Joseph and Cergile Sincere – The junior and senior lead FAU with 121 and 111 tackles, respectively, which ranks first and second in the Sun Belt as well.
  –DB Tavious Polo – FAU's freshman cornerback finished second in the Sun Belt with seven interceptions.

KEY INJURIES:
Tigers
  –When the season began, the starting linebackers were Greg Jackson, Winston Bowens and Kasser. Jackson has been out most of the season with a knee injury and will apply for a medical redshirt, while Bowens is out for the rest of the season with his own knee injury. Jackson's replacement, Quinton McCrary, left the team under curious circumstances late in the season. In the final regular-season game against SMU, Kasser started along with sophomore Jeremy Rockette and Dontae Reed, who moved from safety late in the season.
  –Two other defensive players, NT Ryan Williams (shoulder) and LB Jeremy Longstreet (hamstring), are questionable for the bowl game.

Owls
  –Senior DE Josh Pinnick (knee) is out.
  –Junior DE Josh Savidge (knee) is out.
  –Sophomore WR Avery Holley (knee) is out.
  –Senior TE Mike Wilds (knee) is out.

KEYS: Memphis' turnover margin looks strong until it's compared to Florida Atlantic's success in that area. The Owls lead the nation with a combination of 33 takeaways and only 14 turnovers. With the way the Owls can control the ball and the way the Tigers throw the ball all over the place, Memphis might not see the ball very often if it gives it away. When Memphis has the ball FAU's secondary will be tested by the combination of Hankins, Calhoun and Singleton. FAU appears to have the speed to match up with the Tigers but Calhoun and Singleton had a distinct height advantage.

FAST FACTS: Tigers – Under first-year offensive coordinator Clay Helton, the offense has been as productive as it has been during coach Tommy West's seven years at Memphis. The Tigers rank second in Conference USA in pass offense (307.8 yards per game) and third in total offense (447.4 yards per game). … The Tigers lost five turnovers in the season opener but finished the regular season with only four fumbles and eight interceptions in 445 pass attempts. Owls – FAU QB Rusty Smith is the Sun Belt player of the year after leading the conference with 3,352 passing yards and a school-record 27 touchdowns while throwing only eight interceptions. … Smith's favorite target has been WR Cortez Gent, who had a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown on eight catches in the win over Troy. He has 1,030 receiving yards and nine TDs in 11 games after totaling just 66 yards in nine games as a redshirt freshman last season.
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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

TeamBeer said

Hows her arm?

Too Funny….. ;D
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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Whats up Owl fans, I still have a sour taste in my mouth from playing yall... We had a couple of games like yalls though where we found ways to lose, Oh well though.. I do have a few questions for you all though. I am going to the game Friday night since it is just down the road from me and want to go root on my conference. I was curious though, where are the majority of the FAU fans sitting at? I already have my tickets though, and is FAU going to be the home or visiting team? I am sitting on the Home (Saints) side. Thanks alot and good luck, and make the Sun Belt proud. There is no reason why the SBC should not start dominating this bowl every year.
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Re: OFFICIAL: FAU vs Memphis Thread

Thanks for the support. FAU will be the home team and I believe most FAU fans will be in sections 141 and 142.

GO OWLS!!!

2017 and 2019 Conference USA Champions
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