Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
The FAU campus is buzzing with the Owls’ recent success.
BOCA RATON — The signs were more numerous, more obvious on the Florida Atlantic campus this week.
It was hard not to notice the “Game Week, Owl In” posters at various spots. Coming off two consecutive victories and looking ahead to a home game that could put them atop the Conference USA standings, the Owls are suddenly a hot ticket.
Coach Lane Kiffin, in his first year, has the campus buzzing about the football program.
“We’ve got to do some more to earn some more respect and get everybody to buy in, keep the streak alive,” running back Gregory Howell Jr. said. “That’s how you get your fan base up. That’s how you get people more interested – when you’ve got a streak, and they actually want to see you and stuff like that.”
The feeling is foreign to seniors such as Howell. They have suffered through losing seasons the past three years, going a combined 9-27. The futility caused many fans to lose interest or stay away, with games filled with empty seats.
Now, it appears they have won back the fan base because the Owls (3-3, 2-0 in Conference USA) once again have the student body’s attention.
They are expecting a full student section for Saturday’s game against North Texas at FAU Stadium. A homecoming crowd should only boost attendance. If the wins continue, the Owls are hoping it leads to extending their appeal beyond students.
“Some people are actually paying attention and congratulating us and stuff like that,” Howell said. “It’s a great vibe. We’ve just got to keep working harder because we want everybody on board – community, people in school, people around, West Palm Beach, Boca, all that. We want all that to come and watch us.”
The players have noticed the difference. They are more noticeable when walking around campus. Kiffin, the school’s most high-profile coach since it’s first coach, Howard Schnellenberger, has made good on his promise to turn things around thus far.
“Just being around the [cafeteria] and stuff like that, you just can tell it’s a different energy,” said linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, the team’s leading tackler. “Everybody’s excited, happy to be a part of FAU.”
Added tight end Harrison Bryant: “It’s getting bigger. It’s a good thing. Hopefully, we’ll just keep winning and keep this streak going. Hopefully, they’ll keep coming out and supporting us the rest of the season.”
The Owls are attempting to win three games in a row for the first time since 2013, the last year they won the required six games to be bowl-eligible. After winning three of their past four games, they are now tied for first in the conference standings.
A win Saturday would put FAU above .500 for the first time since 2008. That year, the Owls didn’t reach a winning record until defeating Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl. They finished 7-6, becoming the second team in school history to win a bowl game.
“It’s like getting addicted to winning,” Howell said. “That’s the feeling you want to have. You don’t want to lose. That should never be acceptable when you get addicted to winning. It’s just a whole different environment.”