Owls switch QBs, drive for victory
BOCARATON— Despitemissing their leading rusher and battling inclementweather, the FAUOwls mustered up just enough offense to pick up a 10-6win overWesternKentucky Saturday at FAU Stadium.
And FloridaAtlantic (3-1) did it with the help of a new quarterback lining up behind center after whatwas a defensive showdownfor most of the game.
Javion Posey replacedNickTronti as FAU’s quarterback on the team’s first drive of the fourth quarter and led the Owls to a game-winning drive in the game’s closing minutes.
On his second possession at quarterback, Posey led a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with the redshirt freshman scoring the Owls’ lone touchdownof the game with an 11-yard rush into the end zone.
“I knew [I could score] oncemy running
back James Charles sealed the block on the edge,” Posey said. “He gaveme a clear path to the end zone. I knew then I’d be able to make it.”
The Owls forcedWestern Kentucky into a three-and-out following their touchdown, with Posey taking a knee after FAUregained possession to seal the win.
The scorewas Posey’s first at quarterback after playing wide receiver last season. He didn’t dress for FAU’s loss toMarshall (Oct. 24) or win versusUTSA lastweekend.
Posey’s elusiveness as a rusher— he had a team-high 60 rushing yards on nine attempts— gave the Owls the offensive boost theywere lacking for most of the game.
“We talked about getting Javion some reps and getting some plays for him, but I felt likewe needed a spark,” FAU coachWillieTaggart said. “He gave us a spark thisweek in practice. Seeing theway his teammates responded to him said a lot tome.
“I didn’t like the throwhe threw, but the one thing Iwas happy withwas he didn’t let that throwaffect the rest of the plays hewas in there. He bounced back, made some plays for us thatwere big time and helped us win the ball game.”
The Owls finished the first half with 137 yards on 30 plays afterTronti completed a 35-yard pass to JordanMerrell to close out the opening half.
FAUonly had 13 yards on 10 plays in the third quarter, which led to Posey stepping in at quarterback. The Owls, who finished the game with 273 yards on 62 plays, had 123 yards on 22 plays in the final quarter under Posey.
MalcolmDavidson, FAU’s leading rusher on the season, missed Saturday’s game with a foot injury. Charles finished with 53 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
BJ Emmons returned to the field, rushing for 56 yards on 14 attempts after missing the team’s last two games.
“I’m proud of the team tonight for thewaywe answered the bell,” Emmons said. “I didn’t really get to contribute to any of the wins we had this year. This ismy first game back, really. I just want to be a part of this team and part of this success.”
WesternKentucky finished with 257 yards on 67 plays (3.8 yards per play) in another dominant FAUdefensive showing.
The Owls haven’t allowed a touchdownfor nine consecutive quarters, withMarshall’s touchdownin the third quarter against FAUbeing the last time the Owls allowed the opposing team to reach the end zone.
FAUscored the game’s first points in the second half after neither team scored in the opening 30 minutes.
With the help of good field position after freshman wide receiver LaJohntayWester’s 17-yard punt return tomidfield, the Owls put together an eightplay, 27-yard drive— including a 15-yardWesternKentucky pass interference penalty— that ended with Vladimir Rivas kicking a 40-yard field goal to put FAUup 3-0 with 8:51 left in the third quarter.
The Hilltoppers tied the game 3-3 on the next drive after having a 13-play, 61-yard end with a 32-yard field goal.
Posey threw an interception on his lone pass attempt to end his first drive at quarterback, with the Hilltoppers taking over at FAU’s 32 after the turnover. WesternKentucky kicked a 49-yard field goal with 8:09 left in the game to go up 6-3 on the Owls before FAU’s game-winning drive.
Kickoff for the gamewas delayed 35 minutes due to weather.
The matchup, whichwas scheduled to start at 6 p.m., was pushed back to a 6:35 PMkickoff after lightning struck near the stadium. Gusts of wind— withTropical StormEta on the horizon— disrupted play throughout the game, which limited the number of deep throws FAUtook againstWesternKentucky.
Taggart, who’s 4-0 at FAU Stadium in his head coaching career, and the Owls will play FIU in the Shula Bowl on Friday in Miami. The Panthers (0-3, 0-1 ConferenceUSA) have only played one game in the last fourweeks. FIU didn’t play itsNov. 7matchup against UTEP(canceled) and Oct. 30 matchup againstMarshall (postponed) because of the Panthers’ lack of available scholarship players.