Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Kiffin says offensive side still needs work
BOCA RATON — The situation perplexes Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin.
FAU’s offense was supposed to be the strength of the Owls football team this season. It returned two experienced quarterbacks and added a junior college transfer. It boasted a talented running back duo. Plus, Kiffin and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles were supposed to make FAU’s offense purr.
But after 15 preseason practices, including Saturday’s scrimmage inside FAU Stadium, the Owls’ offense remains behind FAU’s defense. In 21 possessions, the offense scored five touchdowns and turned the ball over three times in the red zone.
“I would think that wasn’t the case,” Kiffin said. “We got to figure that out. We should be more effective, that was where our strength was supposed to be with the returning players. You know, we’re not playing today. I would have thought we’d be further along especially how well we started the spring.”
Saturday’s scrimmage was the second one of camp, but the first one in which the Owls were live, tackling to the ground.
FAU’s offense is still searching for a starting quarterback with Jason Driskel, De’Andre Johnson and Daniel Parr vying for the job. On Saturday, Johnson received the first series with the first-team offense, though Driskel also directed the unit later. Kiffin said he’d watch the film before evaluating the quarterbacks.
Parr performed best during the srimmage, completing 18-of-29 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw an interception to cornerback Khamal Ellison in the end zone.
“I consider myself a gamer,” Parr said. “When the lights go on, that’s when I like to really go out there and show what I got.”
Leading into the interception, Parr completed 10 consecutive passes to five different receivers. Johnson and Driskel did not string together more than two straight completions.
“Our offense is based on rhythm,” Parr said. “Once we get going and get a flow for the game, we can really roll and start lighting up the scoreboard.”
Johnson finished the day 4 for 17 with 36 yards and an interception. He also flashed his elusiveness by adding a team-high 75 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Johnson’s ability to run outside the pocket has made it tough for Kiffin and FAU coaches to evaluate his potential. During practice, quarterbacks wear green jerseys, meaning they cannot be tackled.
Shelton Lewis picked off Johnson in the end zone to deny the East Mississippi Community College transfer a touchdown pass. Along with Parr’s pick and running back Tyrek Tisdale’s goal-line fumble, the Owls lost three scoring opportunities.
“Just trying to make too many things happen and not taking what’s there,” Kiffin said.
Driskel was 7 for 16 for 111 yards and a touchdown. More than half of his yardage came on one play: a 58-yard connection with Henry Bussey down the right sideline during the two-minute drill.
Driskel, a redshirt junior, also added nine yards on the ground but acknowledged the offense needed to improve.
“We need to be more explosive: run game, pass game, down the field,” Driskel said. “That’ll open up everything else underneath.”
Freshman receiver Denzel Houston led Owls receivers by totaling 92 yards on four catches, including a 32-yard touchdown reception from Steven Frank. Bussey, tight end John Raine and receiver Kamrin Solomon also had touchdown grabs. Running back Gregory “Buddy” Howell Jr., scored on a three-yard touchdown plunge.
FAU opens its season on Sept. 1 at home against Navy.
“There isn’t a [position] room on our team that doesn’t need to get better,” Driskel said. “We have 20 days before we play Navy and we’ll see what we got in 20 days.”