GAME CAPSULE: FAU @ UAB - October 9th, 2021
The Matchup: Florida Atlantic (3-2, 1-0 C-USA) @ UAB (3-2, 1-0 C-USA)
When: Saturday, October 9th, 3:30 PM
Where: Protective Stadium
TV: Stadium, The CW Locally
Stream: Here
Radio: 640 The Hurricane
Opening Line: FAU +5
Weather: Current conditions in Birmingham, AL
The Series: FAU currently holds a 5-2 series advantage over UAB. The last time the two sides faced off, the Owls beat the Blazers 49-6 in the 2019 C-USA Championship Game, winning their second conference title in three years.
UAB Team Site: Here
Key Stats Comparison:
Owl Notes
This season has been a story of two FAU teams: the dominant Owls at home and the tough losses on the road. Being outscored 66-21 and giving up a combined 846 rushing yards in their two away contests, it's important that Florida Atlantic finds their footing offensively going into this game. It looked like they did so last week, with quarterback N'Kosi Perry leading the Owls down the field for their first opening drive touchdown of the season in their 58-21 victory over FIU.
Perry looked comfortable all game, beating the pressure that the defensive line brought to him and delivering lasers to his receivers. Wideout Je'Quan Burton [photo] had a breakout performance because of this, breaking free for big plays with his standout speed, going off for 121 yards, and a 42-yard touchdown reception from Perry on seven receptions.
Defensively, Akileis Leroy led the way for the Owls, notching eight total tackles in the Shula Bowl victory. Starter at the MACK linebacker position, Antarrius Moultrie, didn't play last week, and Leroy took full advantage of the opportunity. Coach Taggart mentioned a few defensive players were banged up from their week three loss to Air Force, so it's possible Leroy gets more opportunities with Moultrie possibly out.
Blazer Notes
After losing in a 36-12 blowout to a Liberty Flames team led by Malik Willis, who had over 400 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, passing for 287 of those yards, the Blazers are looking to bounce back as they enter the C-USA portion of their schedule. They played North Texas earlier on in the season, defeating them 40-6, but this is the first of a stretch of seven conference games to close out the season for UAB.
With starting quarterback Tyler Johnston III out indefinitely with an injury, junior Dylan Hopkins will take over under center. He's having the best season of his career, throwing 41-65 (63.1%) for 653 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. On the ground, the Blazers have a two-headed monster of DeWayne McBride and Jermaine Brown, who each has over 300 yards of rushing this season. Brown has more touchdowns, having three to McBride's one, while McBride has the 343-327 edge in yards.
UAB's defense is led by its safety group: Keondre Swoopes and Will Boler. Swoopes is the guy that patrols the air for the Blazers, notching two interceptions and a pass deflection on the season, while Boler is their leading tackler with 23 total tackles. Together, they mitigate a lot of big plays. The key matchup here will be to see if FAU is still able to break off for those big plays, which FAU had a lot of last week.
#FAU head coach @CoachTaggart on the trick play to start the game:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) October 4, 2021
"We ran that play three times against our defense in practice and it worked. We figured if it worked against them it'll work in the game and it did." pic.twitter.com/e8zABNnjQm
#FAU HC @CoachTaggart says that Antarrius Moultrie was suspended from the Shula Bowl for "disciplinary reasons," says "there's a chance" he plays against #UAB. pic.twitter.com/mjcf4qJ52Z
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) October 4, 2021
#FAU Head Coach @CoachTaggart mentioned that Decarious Hawthorne and Chris Jones missed Shula Bowl XX with injury, said they will be back.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) October 4, 2021
He also mentioned that @_kingjaayy was banged up after their matchup vs Air Force and played. "We appreciate his toughness," Taggart said.
Jack D Whidden III said
Here's to hoping for more trick plays down the line! Love to keep opposing defenses on their toes.Posted On: Oct 4th 2021, 11:50 AM #403908
This is Willie’s of saying “FIU is so trash” while being nice lol
LawOwl said
Kind of got a sense in the game that the staff had ZERO respect for FIU's D. Going for 2 there early especially.
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