FAU offensive line builds chemistry

BOCA RATON — Four games into the season, the Florida Atlantic offensive line appears to be putting together its best collective performances and building chemistry — chemistry that veteran left tackle Reggie Bain says first began to blossom during a summer dinner outing.

With new starters at three of the five positions on the line, Bain noted a time when the whole group ate at Charm City Burger Company in Deerfield Beach and went all in on the hefty blockers’ menu item of choice.

“We hit it one time in the summer. We got like 10 Big Sloppies,” Bain said of the massive hamburger with double cheese, double bacon, hashbrowns and an egg. “You just heard them calling out like ‘Big Sloppies, Big Sloppies.’ Everybody was in a food coma after that. That’s a good burger.”

While junior running back Devin “Motor” Singletary earned his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season last Friday in the loss to Central Florida, much of the credit can be attributed to the offensive line.

Singletary, who added three rushing touchdowns on Friday to increase his nation-leading total to 10, went for 131 yards on 25 carries. Kerrith Whyte carried nine times for 84 yards and a 40-yard touchdown and the team totaled 320 yards.

The offensive line is really starting to gel now with center Junior Diaz and guards BJ Etienne and Antonio Riles now having four starts under them at FAU as the Owls (2-2) open Conference USA play at Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

“We would’ve wanted it sooner, but we’re slowly getting it together,” Bain said.

Hearns recalls big fake punt

Third-string running back Gerald Hearns had a big 24-yard carry on a fourth down in the first half at UCF that kept the Owls’ first scoring drive alive. The fifth-year senior relived the play on Tuesday.

“I was just on the sideline, very locked in, never knowing when your number, name is going to be called,” Hearns said. “As they called the name of the play, I was ready to go out there and make something happen.

“It was surreal because we only run that play once a week [in practice], if that. It’s one of those plays you really rarely run in practice or call in a game situation. It’s like, ‘Hey, don’t overthink it. Just do what you do in practice.’

“It wasn’t no pressure for me because I work hard every day in practice and just stay consistent.”