DeAndre McNeal working on a fix
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic receiver DeAndre McNeal spent a little extra time after practices this week.
His typical 45-minute, post-practice workouts weren’t enough. They went longer than usual because McNeal desperately wants to prevent a repeat.
After being the Owls’ most consistent receiver the first three games, McNeal had the first disappointment of the young season last week against Buffalo. He vows it won’t happen again.
“That game happened,” McNeal said. “I can’t do nothing about it. This week I’ve definitely been challenging myself to make sure I get better every single play, every single game and every single practice. I wasn’t that explosive this past game against Buffalo. Players have that type of the game. I just have to make sure it’s not consistent. It won’t happen again.”
McNeal had a costly third-down drop that ended a drive in the 34-31 loss at Buffalo. It overshadowed his seven catches for 37 yards. The Owls are hoping to see the McNeal who was their best receiver during the first three games.
“I don’t know what happened last week,” coach Lane Kiffin said. “He had played really well the first three games. Last week he just wasn’t himself. … He didn’t play very fast. We’ve got to figure that out and get him back to the way he was playing.”
The McNeal of old could be the difference in FAU opening the Conference USA schedule with a victory or defeat. The Owls (1-3) face Middle Tennessee State (2-2) Saturday at FAU Stadium.
A 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior, McNeal has been the lone bright spot of a receiving corps that has struggled thus far. He leads the team with 18 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns. McNeal is the only player on the team with doubledigit receptions.
Much of that can be attributed to the Owls’ lack of experience at receiver, with most being relatively new to the program. Although McNeal has only been on campus a few months, he hasn’t let that affect his production. He transferred from Fullerton (Calif.) College in the offseason after spending one season at Texas, where he was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
“He is older,” Kiffin said. “It’s not like having a high school kid. They come in a little more mature . ... They’re a little more focused. I think that helps.”
McNeal has been relied on heavily. The Owls are still without last year’s leading receiver Kalib Woods, who is suspended indefinitely for his role in an offcampus fight last January. Kamrin Solomon continues to make his way back after being suspended the first two games.