WR Kalib Woods returns after serving six-game suspension
BOCA RATON — The Florida Atlantic football team welcomed the return of receiver Kalib Woods for Saturday’s game against North Texas.
Woods was suspended the first six games of the season because of his felony battery arrest stemming from a January fight in Boca Raton. The case is still pending and Woods has his next court date Jan. 10, 2018.
Last year, Woods had team-highs in catches (68) and yards (934). A 6-foot-3, 193-pound senior, he also had one touchdown and earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors.
Woods entered the game on the Owls’ first drive of the second quarter.
Sidelined
Cornerback Raekwon Williams did not play because of an injury.
He was replaced in the starting lineup by Chris Tooley, who had an interception in the first quarter.
Williams has 25 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery. Defensive lineman Hunter Snyder also left the game in the first quarter with an injury but returned at the start of the second half.
2007 team honored
After the first quarter, the 2007 Owls team was honored. That team finished 8-5 and capped the season with a 44-27 victory against Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl. It was the first bowl victory in school history.
Among those in attendance were quarterback Rusty Smith, linebacker Frantz Joseph, defensive lineman Robert St. Clair and former coach Howard Schnellenberger.
Singletary streak
Running back Devin “Motor” Singletary recorded his fifth consecutive 100-yard game. Navy and Wisconsin have been the only teams to hold him under the mark this season.
Big first half
The Owls scored 41 points in the first half, which is the second-best performance in school history. They scored 42 in 2004 against Edward Waters, an NAIA school.
Strong day
Linebacker Azeez AlShaair continued his strong play by recording his fourth double-digit tackle performance of the season. He had 12 tackles by halftime.
Al-Shaair only failed to reach the mark against Middle Tennessee State and Bethune-Cookman, a game he didn’t play in the second half because of injury. He missed the following game against Buffalo.
Vertical passing
After being criticized by coach Lane Kiffin, the Owls’ vertical passing game finally showed up.
Quarterback Jason Driskel had easily his best performance of the season. The highlight included a 69-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Willie Wright in the first quarter. Driskel also connected often with tight end Harrison Bryant.