Driskel has big day at QB, but says FAU ‘didn’t play great’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jason Driskel turned in one of his best performances of the season Saturday in Florida Atlantic’s 31-12 victory at Charlotte, but FAU’s starting quarterback said his team can do better.
Echoing the sentiment of head coach Lane Kiffin, who said the Owls’ performance was sloppy at times, Driskel said, “We just didn’t play great. We’re not happy with that.”
Driskel completed 18-of-22 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. His 81 percent completion rate nearly equaled his 82 percent rate (14 of 17) against Louisiana Tech.
Kiffin said Driskel, who moved into the starting quarterback spot in September, played well, especially as the game went along. He missed his first pass but then completed 10 of 11 during the rest of the first half, when FAU built a 24-6 lead.
“After a while, you kind of work yourself into a groove,” he said.
Big day for Wright
Freshman receiver Willie Wright had a big day, with a season-high 10 receptions for 103 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown catch.
“Willie did a good job,” Kiffin said. “It went right down to the wire signing him, between us and Memphis. I’m glad we got him.”
Motoring on
Devin “Motor” Singletary had another big game, carrying 19 times for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He has a nation-high 27 touchdowns this season, 26 of those on the ground.
Next up
Next for the Owls is Saturday’s Conference USA championship game at FAU Stadium against North Texas. Kickoff is set for noon, with national television coverage on ESPN2.
The Owls walloped North Texas 69-31 in October, scoring on their first 11 possessions and totaling 804 yards offense.
Defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni said Saturday’s uneven performance against Charlotte should prevent the Owls from overconfidence.
“This taught us that we have to work hard and execute against everyone we play,” he said.
Close call for Whyte
Just two weeks after Kenneth Whyte recorded the Owls’ first kickoff return for a touchdown in the program’s 17 years, he nearly had another Saturday. Whyte took the kickoff after Charlotte’s second-quarter touchdown and raced 89 yards down the left sideline into the end zone. The play was negated by offsetting penalties, though, and Whyte’s return on the second kickoff went only 17 yards.
Fumble ‘double’
Charlotte’s Ben DeLuca leads Conference USA in forced fumbles, with two of his five coming on back-toback Owl possessions in the third quarter. He forced Singletary to cough up the ball at the Charlotte 37 and did the same a short time later to Greg Howell.
The second fumble led to Charlotte’s second touchdown.