Two weeks ago, the Owls stood atop of the C-USA East. Two losses later Florida Atlantic [5-5, 3-3 C-USA] are now on the verge of not making a bowl game for just the second time since 2017.

Crucial offensive miscues in the first half, including two safeties that made the score of the game 4-3 at one point, oddly enough, were the downfall of the Owls in a 30-16 loss to the previously 3-6 Old Dominion Monarchs. Now, they face an even bigger test as they try to keep their bowl hopes alive - Bailey Zappe and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Zappe currently leads the NCAA in passing yards {4,170) and passing touchdowns (42) - making for a very tough task for FAU's defense.

Here is what Haggarty Family Head Coach Willie Taggart [photo] had to say on Monday about Zappe and the Owls' matchup with the Hilltoppers leading up to the game on Saturday at noon:

On Bailey Zappe "[Zappe] is the real deal. We know this kid is going to be playing on Sundays. He is very talented, they got some very talented receivers, all of them have been playing together for a long time and you can tell they're all on the same page on what's going on."

On Recovering From The Loss "I think where [the mood] was different was in the locker room. A lot of the guys in the locker room are disappointed, upset, frustrated. Every analogy you can use, it was that way in the locker room. And rightfully so. We're all disappointed with the way we played and the opportunity to get by and when we're not playing well and everyone's working hard, you're just trying to find your stuff."

On Watching Game Film Together I thought it was best that we watch it collectively and so everyone can see what everyone is doing and what everyone is not doing so we can hold each other accountable to doing our jobs. I thought it was good to see both see who's not doing what, but also who's doing things right."
 
On Offensive Miscommunications "I think we gotta help our guys out and simplify things. Our guys are showing us that some of the stuff we're doing is a little too much verbiage for them to see and then go out there and execute. It goes back to guys knowing what to do as well, you gotta know what to do and these plays that we run over and over and over, you can't let getting in the game and those emotions in the game affect you where you lose focus on what you're supposed to do."

On Parting Ways With WR Coach Joey Thomas "No, [it was not mutual,] we always evaluate the program and where we can get better, and again, we gotta get better, and it's my job to evaluate and move forward and my thought was that it would be best moving forward to help us."

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