Woods expected to be reinstated
Sources: Suspended WR to play Saturday
BOCA RATON — With Florida Atlantic set to play the biggest on-campus game in recent memory, the Owls are expected to welcome back a key member of the offense.
According to two sources, suspended receiver Kalib Woods will rejoin the team for Saturday’s game against North Texas at FAU Stadium. Woods, who led the team in receiving last season, had been suspended indefinitely since June following his arrest for felony battery stemming from a January fight in Boca Raton.
Woods, who lost his scholarship after incident, returns as a walk-on. He had a court date Monday, but it was rescheduled for Jan. 10, 2018. The case is still ongoing.
Woods was initially booked June 13 on charges of punching a man at The Venue banquet hall in Boca Raton. The incident, which occurred in January, left the man with a broken jaw.
After the arrest, Woods was suspended from the team, but in early September was allowed to rejoin in a non-playing capacity while charges were outstanding. Owls receiver Kamrin Solo-
mon, who was also involved in the altercation, was suspended the first two games before returning against BethuneCookman on Sept. 16.
Woods’ presence should instantly improve an area in which the Owls have struggled all season. Coach Lane Kiffin has repeatedly been critical of the struggling passing game. They rank 10th in Conference USA with 173.7 passing yards a game.
Woods had team-highs in catches (68) and yards (934) last season. The 6-foot-3, 193-pound redshirt senior also had one touchdown and earned conference honorable mention honors. His addition comes at a time the Owls are trying to grab ahold of first-place in the league standings.
The Owls (3-2 and 2-0 in C-USA) enter the weekend tied with Marshall atop the East Division. North Texas (4-2, 3-0) leads the West.
Suit against Kiffin dismissed
A fraud suit filed against Kiffin was dismissed by an Alabama judge. According to published reports, the decision was made Oct. 10.
Kiffin, who was the Alabama offensive coordinator before arriving at FAU last December, was charged with fraud by former Crimson Tide receiver Antonio “A.C.” Carter. He alleged Kiffin and FAU strength coach Wilson Love offered him a position with the Owls in exchange for help to sign a prospective recruit.
The recruit was signed by FAU. Carter claimed the school offered him the job Jan. 25 but revoked the offer nine days later.
Carter leveled six counts against Kiffin, FAU and the state of Florida, including reckless fraud, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
Next game: FAU vs. North Texas, Saturday, 5 p.m., ESPN3, WTCN